Young Engineers Full Speed Ahead At University Of Bolton's National Centre For Motorsport Engineering

Budding engineers took part in their own ‘grand prix’ at the University of Bolton’s National Centre for Motorsport Engineering (NCME). Children from schools across the North West designed, built and raced model racing cars as part of the Annual Formula 1 in Schools competition. The competition is aimed at encouraging and developing youngsters to learn engineering and give them a head start, should they wish to study the STEM subject at University. The pupils, who formed race ‘teams’ from their schools used the latest computer software to design their own F1 car. The 20cm long vehicle was then created from a foam block in a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, with other components produced by a 3D printer and fitted with a CO2 cartridge to propel their creations along a 20m track. The overall champions in the Professional Class at the North West final, for the fifth year in a row were the all-girl ‘Team Nebula’, from Sandbach High School. Their success means that a team from Sandbach has been regional champions for four years in a row.

The University of Bolton also presented the winning teams in the ‘Development Class’ (Team Sigma, Sandbach) and Professional Class’ (Team Nebula, Sandbach) with a surprise cheque for £500.

Four teams in different class levels, now go through to the UK finals later this year and the winners of that will take part in the World Finals at the venue of a major Grand Prix.