Last week the WMG Academy for Young Engineers race team, Academy Racing, won 3 awards at the regional F1 in schools competition finals and motored their way into the national finals hosted by Silverstone Circuit, the home of British motor racing.

The regional finals took place at the Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick. Academy racing, headed up by Eddie Hodierne (17) won awards for best research and development, best team identity and were awarded second place overall.

Eddie Hodierne (17), team manager of Academy Racing and student at WMG Academy for Young Engineers said,

“We started of the day really strongly with a great presentation to the judges, we followed this by giving them a tour of our pit display. The racing was even better with our team completing the 20m track in 1.100 seconds, which is a really fast time. We’re hoping to build on this success as we head into the national finals”

F1 in Schools is a challenge where students from over 40 countries compete for the Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Championship trophy. This involves using CAD/CAM computer software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race miniature F1 cars. The cars are powered by a small CO2 cylinder and can reach speeds of over 50mph over a 20m track.

Callum Kennedy (16), marketing manager of Academy Racing and student at WMG Academy for Young Engineers said,

“We are really pleased with the results and are looking to better our 6^th place position at last year’s national finals. It’s thanks to the generous support of our sponsors that we have come this far and we hope to do them proud.”

Not only is there is a rigorous set of technical regulations to follow but the students have to demonstrate the wider functions of a real F1 team, including all aspects of marketing and sponsorship.

The team’s success would not have been possible without vital support and sponsorship from over 15 local businesses including; Autins, Cov Con, Coventry University, GRM, High Profile, I2m, JLR, Lear, LTF, Squires Gears, Suretrack, WMG, WMG Academy, Warwick EDM and the University of Warwick. There are many expenses associated with the competition as well as the need to produce materials and test the finished cars and the team would not have been able to enter without this support.

Bob Hodge, teacher at WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry said,

“F1 in Schools is one of the academy’s enrichment activities focussed on car design and on learning what can be achieved with the CAD/CAM facilities in the Engineering Hall. The team have been working really hard on their entry since September last year and their success is thoroughly deserved.”

The F1 in Schools national finals are set to take place 29 – 30 March 2017 at The Silverstone Wing, Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.

Image info:

Left to right:

Abi Hirons

Eddie Hodierne, Team Manager

Callum Kennedy, Manufacturing Manager

Elias Khimasia