Under starters orders: Students head to F1 in Schools regional final

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On Wednesday, 26 February, 14 budding engineers from Shells travelled to the North West regional finals of the F1 in Schools competition at the University of Bolton where months of hard work was put to the test as they pitched their cars against teams from around the region

Head of Design Technology, Richard Curtis, runs the F1 in Schools Club at King’s and travelled with the teams to Bolton.

He said: “F1 in Schools is an international project that requires students to design and make a small scale F1 in Schools car that is drag raced down a 25m track.

“As a school, we have experienced significant success in the competition in the past, even competing internationally a few years ago, and I am delighted that we have a new generation of keen students to take on the challenge.”

Mr Curtis took three teams to this year’s competition and explained what was involved: “Students are encouraged to act as a real F1 team, focussing on sponsorship, branding and marketing as well as the engineering element of designing and making the car itself.

“This year’s teams have embraced every element of the project and it has been wonderful to watch them work together and develop their skills, to get to the competition stage.”

The three teams – Project Fusion, Project Blitz and Vortex Racing – entered into this year’s Development Class, stepping up to compete against teams of older students and Mr Curtis was impressed with how they approached the experience.

He said: “The teams showed real ambition and focus.

“They approached local companies for sponsorship, identified where they needed support, asked for advice and, crucially, worked well together.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the companies who were so generous in their sponsorship of the teams; Halliwell Jones BMW, Chelma Graphics and Uniformity Clothing.

“They supported the teams in a variety of really valuable ways, from funding uniform to large-scale printing for the teams’ pit displays, and even advising the teams on effective brand marketing.

“We look forward to working with these sponsors, and hopefully other partners, again in the future.”

Unfortunately, the three King’s teams missed out on awards at this year’s competition but Project Blitz were pleased to be commended for their research and development into aerodynamics.

However, as Mr Curtis explained, this hasn’t deterred them from entering again next year: “Despite not winning any awards, all three teams are keen to go again and take on the challenge in next year’s Professional Class.

“This will further test their skills and teamwork but I think that they are all ready for that challenge.

“I am also really pleased that the boys will be sharing their passion with younger students and helping me to launch F1 in Schools to next year’s Removes and Shells.”

Congratulations to all three teams who are pictured below: