Sixty-one teams subjected their single-seat race car prototypes to rigorous testing at Silverstone racetrack in Northamptonshire, in the annual challenge organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
The UK Formula Student competition challenges student teams to produce a working prototype of a single-seat race car for autocross or sprint racing, with a combination of formal presentations and on-track dynamic events used to test their engineering skills. RS has been supporting Formula Student teams for more than 10 years, and RS Grass Roots – the engineering and technology youth empowerment team at RS – now continues support for this highly established educational engineering competition.
RS Grass Roots sponsors the competition and operates a ‘Build Fund’ each year, allowing teams to apply for £1,000 worth of products from RS to support their car build. Grass Roots awarded 30 teams from across the globe this year and three of the teams supported by the initiative went on to scoop awards in the Formula Student 2023 competition, which took place over five days. These were the University of Vigo (UVigo) MotorsportES, who won the Allan Staniforth award for best newcomer; Phoenix Racing Formula Student Team from Coventry University, whose driver achieved the Formula Student Top Individual award; and Cardiff Racing from Cardiff University, which picked up both the Formula Student Most Entertaining Driver award, and the award for furthest carried cone through sprint.
Amy Muncer, director of RS’ Grass Roots youth community, said: “Grass Roots is all about developing the future engineering workforce by supporting students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Our involvement in the Formula Student challenge epitomises that by supporting the hands-on technical development of student engineers.
“The products we provide to the teams we support help them make their designs become a reality. Many of the teams wouldn’t be able to achieve the build without support from our fund as building a car doesn’t come cheap! We’re delighted that some of the teams we provided support to have scooped awards at the competition, and look forward to supporting the competition again in 2024,” she added.
Formula Student is Europe’s most established educational engineering competition and is backed by industry and high-profile engineers. RS Grass Roots will be opening its Build Fund later this year for the IMechE Formula Student Competition in 2024.
