Midlands Universities Gear Up for Poll Position at Testing Day at MIRA

News > Midlands Universities Gear Up for Poll Position at Testing Day at MIRA

Five university teams from across the UK – three of which were from the West Midlands – gathered at MIRA’s world-class Proving Ground to put their purpose-build Formula Student vehicles to the test in a range of fuel and speed endurance tests.

The teams – made up of engineering students who have designed and built single seat racing cars for the Formula Student event, which takes place at Silverstone on July 4 – 7 2013 – trialled example tracks for the Acceleration, Skid Pad, Sprint and Endurance events on MIRA’s Proving Ground.

Formula Student is Europe’s most established educational motorsport competition and is run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Aimed to inspire and develop enterprising and innovative young engineers, the Formula Student competition challenges Universities from across the globe to design and build racing cars in order to compete in static and dynamic events, which demonstrate their understanding and test the performance of the vehic

Terry Spall, Commercial Director at MIRA Technology Park, said:

“We have been involved with Formula Student over a number of years, in fact the first ever UK event was held here in 1998. We really do value the high calibre of graduate engineers that come through the competition. It produces practically minded engineers with good project management skills, the ability to work effectively in a team and a strong level of commercial awareness. Employer engagement with Formula Student, such as our sponsorship in providing this testing day, allows us to work together with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and contribute to inspiring the next generation to consider advanced engineering as a rewarding career choice.”

Jonathan Saul from Coventry University’s Formula Student team, said:

“Formula Student is a great competition and we’re quietly confident about how we’ll perform. The great advantage of testing the car at MIRA is that it lets us identify – and hopefully iron out – any problems before the big event.”