Silverstone test for student engineers’ self-built racing car
Engineering students from the University of Sussex tested their self-built racing car against dozens of others from around the world at Silverstone last weekend.
The team were taking part in the final on 10-13 July of the global Formula Student competition, which challenges teams of university students to design, build and race their own car.
Sussex’s team, named Mobil 1 Team Sussex after its main sponsor, finished in the top third in the presentation and acceleration events out of over 100 entries from universities worldwide, including a number of specialist engineering and technology institutions.
Their 29-strong student team is made up of engineers, as well as a number of product designers and business and media students.
They scored particularly highly for the car’s acceleration and for the quality of their business presentation in front of a panel of judges.
The team were accompanied at Silverstone by Lynda Whitby-Eastwood, a Sussex staff member who, earlier this year, abseiled down Portsmouth’s Spinaker Tower to raise funds for the students. The Head of the School of Engineering and Informatics, Professor Diane Mynors, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, also made the journey to the iconic Northamptonshire circuit to cheer on the team.
You can view the full results of the 2014 competition on the website of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and go to Facebook to see a gallery of photos taken by Sussex staff member in Informatics Malcolm Tam.
Formula Student final, July 2014
Sussex's team at the annual Formula Student event at Silverstone.
The team spent the 2013-14 academic year building and fine-tuning their vehicle, before launching it at a special event on campus in June.
For more information about Mobil 1 Team Sussex, visit their Facebook page or follow the team on Twitter @Mobil1Sussex.