Students on track for race car challenge

Mechanical Engineering students from Teesside University got a taste of life in the fast lane as they put a race car they have spent years building through its paces.

A team of students have built the 600cc motorbike engine powered race car, which can reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, and they test drove it at Teesside Autodrome in preparation for a national competition.

For the first time a team from Teesside University has entered the IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers) Formula Student competition, the world’s largest student motorsport and engineering event, which takes place at Silverstone from 9-13 July.

The Teesside University mechanical engineering team has entered the class 2 concept design category this year. They are already preparing in advance for a full class 1 entry for next year and are in the design and development phase of a new car.

Robert Hanson, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University, said: 'Since we started work on the first car, the Formula Student regulations have changed. We are currently working on a new design compliant with the current regulations, which we are planning to build next year. This will be the group’s next challenge.

'It has been a fantastic learning experience for the students – who are given the opportunity to design and build a race car from scratch, which is a real challenge. It has embedded a desire to work in the automotive industry and engineering sectors at a professional level.'

Those involved in the race car project are on the BEng (Hons) and MEng Mechanical Engineering courses.

Sajid Abdullah, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, added: 'The courses offer the students a chance to develop as engineering professionals aiming towards Chartered Engineer status. The curriculum contains modules which focus on employability enhancement through learning and development of group working, problem solving and leadership skills. These essential skills will hopefully prepare the students for industry as well as the Formula Student events.

'The top speed of the race car is not the most important aspect – what really matters is the personal commitment by these students to professional standards, providing technical and commercial leadership along with the ability to apply theoretical and practical methods to analyse and solve real world engineering problems.'

Students James Wilson, 22 and Andy Dockray, 20, both studying MEng Mechanical Engineering, have been inspired by the Formula Student project and have secured placements at Gibson Motor Sport in Stokesley. The pair, who have ambitions to become race engineers, will travel with the team helping to re-build and maintain race cars.

'We have been involved in the Formula Student project from the beginning and it has been a great experience,” said James.

'The course at Teesside has been an excellent route into engineering and exactly what I had hoped for.'

Andy said that the design and development of a race car from scratch is a tough, but rewarding challenge.

He added: 'On the course I have particularly enjoyed learning about manufacturing processes, materials, aerodynamics and structural engineering relating to vehicle engineering. It is great to see the car out on the track, but for me the most rewarding aspect of the process is when you design a specific part and you then see it come to life, moving in the car.'

Dr Dimitri Nicolaou, Assistant Dean (Recruitment and Development) in Teesside University’s School of Science & Engineering, said: 'Our courses are designed to produce graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to succeed and excel in their chosen profession.

'The structure of our courses evolved as a result of extensive consultation with employers and professional bodies, and have innovative employability enhancing elements embedded in each year of study.

'A key central element in each year of study is the Group Project and the Formula Student project is a perfect example of a Group Project where students work in teams, applying classroom and laboratory derived knowledge and skills to the design, manufacture, assembly and testing of a complex engineering product such as a race car. In the process students not only gain valuable 'real-world' engineering problem solving experience, but they also develop the employability skills that employers demand.'

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