Student racing team is Class 1

29 July 2010

The LJMU Formula Student Racing Team gained 21st place with their first Class 1 entry in the International Formula Student 2010 competition involving over 70 teams at Silverstone this July. The overall scores of the competition also put the University at 6th place in UK.

Having won the Class 2 design categories at Silverstone last year, the LJMU Formula Student Racing Team was ready for a Class 1 entry this year, after successfully passing the application process judged by the Formula Student Steering Committee.

In addition to the production work and technical skills, the students also develop business and marketing strategy experience, particularly through the corporate sponsorship campaign.

Recent LJMU Corporate Award winners, Aintree Racecourse, played their part by allowing the LJMU Formula Student Racing Team to test the car at their racecourse, enabling them to get to the right level to race at Silverstone and enter this 2010 Formula Student event.

Jack Clisby, Formula Student Team Manager, said: “We are proud that all our efforts have led to this excellent Class 1 result at Silverstone 2010. The LJMU team consists of members from all levels of engineering students which has increased productivity and allows even the younger students to be involved in all aspects of the car from building to design. We have also gained some very important experience in building corporate relationships. We would like to thank all our sponsors for their kind support.”

Professor Michael Brown, Vice-Chancellor of LJMU commented: “This is a fabulous result at their first attempt against major international competition – beating all other regional university competition. Most importantly it was impressive to see the impact of this project on the student team – developing engineering and project management skills in a real situation. WoW in action!”

Professor Ian Jenkinson, Director of the LJMU School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations commented: “I would like to congratulate the team on this fantastic achievement. Many companies have been involved in the sponsorship strategy, with new additions in 2010 alone being Aintree, SamcoSport and Fuchs. Businesses involved in the sponsorship deals bring valuable technical assistance and components but they also gain access to future engineers through interaction with students.”

The team has already started to prepare for 2011 Formula Student Competition. The racing car will be equipped with more advanced technology, aiming to increase its performance to the next level, and introduce new innovative bodywork.

Overall results can be viewed at: http://www.formulastudent.com/events/FS2010/results.aspx

For more information about the team, visit: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/racingteam/