F1 IN SCHOOLS KEEN TO PLAY ROLE IN MIDDLE EAST MOTORSPORT INDUSTRY GROWTH

Andrew Denford, Chairman and Founder, F1 in Schools, addressed delegates at this week’s Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East in Bahrain to encourage further support from the industry for the Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge.

The Motorsport Business Forum Middle East held at the impressive Bahrain International Circuit was the first of its kind outside of Europe and aimed to bring together professionals from the industry to discuss and debate key issues, with particular reference to the Middle East region.

The role of the F1 in Schools programme within the rapidly expanding motor sport industry in the region was made clear from many of the speakers during the two day event. There was a clear understanding that facilities such as the Bahrain International Circuit and the national racing series need to nurture young talent, whether that is drivers, mechanics or engineers.

Following on from the keynote address by Ron Dennis (Chairman & CEO of McLaren Group), Andrew Denford was able to explain the concept of F1 in Schools and introduce the audience to the success which has been achieved through the programme, which spans 29 countries across the globe, engaging over 350,000 students and being part of the reversal of a declining trend in students studying engineering at higher levels of education.

The F1 in Schools programme is already established in Kuwait, and with the growth of the motorsport industry, particularly within the Gulf region, and the Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi circuits, F1 in Schools is soon to launch a middle east expansion in 7 countries in partnership with Union Properties and the F1X in Dubai and is sure that this will be reflected in the increased participation in the initiative.

He says, “The Middle East is experiencing phenomenal investment and growth in motorsport, and there is a challenge to build the infrastructure of skilled personnel alongside the impressive race circuit facilities. We hope that our F1 in Schools programme can play an important role within mainstream education in this region and expect to follow up on this Forum with some of the influential and pioneering personalities who can help us to achieve this.”

The F1 in Schools Technology Challenge is for school children aged 11 to 18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2 cylinders. The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.

The 2008 World Championships recently took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the build up to the Petronas Formula One™ Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Over three days of enthralling competition, 25 teams pitted their small scale miniature F1 cars against each other along a 20-metre two lane track at a scale speed of over 220mph.

School children from 29 nations across the globe won their way through regional and national finals, and competed against a global reach of 7 million students, to win the chance to represent their countries in the fourth annual World Championships. Team Pulse, from Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth, England, were crowned winners, taking home the prestigious Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University, London.