Did you know your University is full of Formula (student) racing drivers?! We speak to the Staffs Uni Racing team
Who are the fastest students at Staffordshire University? Probably this lot.
We caught up with the team of students behind Staffs Uni Racing to find out a little more about them.
Q: Can you tell us what Fomula Student is?
A: Formula Student is a global series where University teams compete with their prototype cars that are designed, manufactured and raced entirely by students.
Formula Student, commonly referred to as FS by team members, provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge within a live project, solving real world problems as a team.
The fast pace and performance focus of the project relies on innovation and cooperation to succeed.
IMAGE: Some of the Staffs Uni Racing Team hard at work.
Q: From your social media, it looks like you were taking part in some kinda of virtual event?
A: The Formula Student competition was due to be held at the UK Silverstone Circuit in July, but due to the current situation with COVID-19 and University closures, the 2020 competition moved to a series of online technical presentations and virtual racing events.
The virtual competition started with a series of presentations about engineering and business aspects of our project.
These presentations were delivered by the relevant team experts and were followed by a live Q and A with the Judges.
Saturday and Sunday were the competitions virtual race days, where SUR team members Harry Mattocks and Joe Grimer secured a series of podiums and points finishes battling rival University’s on various track and car combinations through Assetto Corsa.
Q: So what was the standout moment for you during the competition?
A: One of the best moments of the virtual competition has to be the dominant victory from Joe Grimer at Brands Hatch Racing Circuit in the Bentley GT3.
Joe started 6th on the grid but made his way up to 2nd by the first corner. Once Joe muscled his way into 1st place he walked away with the race, holding a 20 second lead by the chequered flag.
Another clear highlight is the recognition that our mentor and workshop technician Martin Dunn gained from the IMechE, receiving the Faculty Advisor of the year award.
Martin’s unconditional support for the team is a cornerstone for the team and a key component to our success.
Q: Finally, what's next for Staffordshire Uni Racing?
A: The whole team is extremely eager to pick up the manufacturing side (car build) of the project from where we left it at the start of lockdown.
The progress made in the 2020 competition year sets the team up to complete some meaningful testing and experience running the car with students at the wheel long before the 2021 competition.
The team will be looking to take on its next batch of recruits at the start of Semester 1 this September and is continuing to pursue non-engineering students to help with essential aspects of the project. September 2019 saw a big push to diversify from a solely engineering based team; talking with many departments from business to graphic design.
We will be continuing this search for students from other areas in 2020 and are hoping the SU can help us raise awareness of the project.
Keep an eye out for Formula Student team members recruiting on campus and get in touch! (When we get back to normal that is).
Which group would you like to hear about next? Get in touch with at unionmarketing@staffs.ac.uk if you'd like to have your club, society or network featured.
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