F1 In Schools International News

F1 IN SCHOOLS LAUNCHES NEW BROCHURE AND WEBSITE

2008-09-08T11:24:00.002Z

F1 in Schools, the Formula One™ Technology Challenge, celebrated a fourth successful World Championships in Malaysia this year, and this global educational programme is now operating in 30 countries, reaching over 9 million students. A review of the 2008 World Championship event and an overview of F1 in Schools has been launched with an attractive brochure viewable at the F1 in Schools website, and a printed version available by request online. The UK F1 in Schools website also has a fresh new look, providing students, teachers and participants with all the information on the programme at their fingertips.

The new brochure is beautifully illustrated, conveying the professionalism, international scope, excitement and experience that F1 in Schools offers students. It charts the history of the programme, explains the disciplines covered, highlights the close links that F1 in Schools enjoys with the Formula One™ fraternity and details all the winners at the 2008 World Championships.

Andrew Denford, Founder, F1 in Schools, says of the brochure, “Each year we try to capture the unique and far-reaching benefits of the F1 in Schools challenge in a brochure that is not only a souvenir of the year, but is also a valuable sales tool when we’re talking to new schools, prospective student teams and new countries interested in joining this worldwide challenge. This year the brochure is rich in pictures which tell the story, particularly with the student teams meeting top F1 personalities and being given so many exclusive privileges, behind-the-scenes at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix.”

The F1 in Schools website for the UK programme has recently re-launched, with a home page full of news and pictures. The site is a gateway to extensive resources, information, rules and regulations, providing participants with everything they need to compete in the multi-discipline challenge. Additional secure areas of the site allow close communication between the F1 in School organisers and participating teams, with interactive information exchange. The site is at http://www.f1inschools.co.uk/. The new brochure, entitled Online Executive Summary, can also be viewed here, and requests for a printed version can be submitted by completion of the ‘Contact Us’ form.

F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-19 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by compressed air cylinders. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students to learn about science, maths, 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.

F1 IN SCHOOLS FLIES THE FLAG FOR BRITAIN

2008-07-10T08:38:00.001Z

The 2008 F1 in Schools World Champions, Team Pulse from Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, will be rubbing shoulders with royalty and VIPs from the business world at a UK Trade and Industry event to be held at St. James’s Palace, London on Thursday evening. The victorious team of four boys: John Ware, 16, Samuel Wood, 15, Andrew Lees, 16 and Thomas Simpson, 17 fought off competition from 24 teams from 15 countries at the F1 in Schools World Championships in Malaysia to lift the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship trophy and claim coveted BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.

F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-18 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. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students 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 prestigious event which Team Pulse will be attending has a VIP guest list including Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Rt. Hon. Lord Jones of Birmingham; Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill. The reception will promote two iconic British industries – motorsport and the creative industries, and showcase the synergies between the two.

The F1 in Schools Technology Challenge aptly demonstrates this, with the student teams including a graphic designer responsible for the website, presentation and marketing materials which are produced as part of the competition. Design within the engineering process is also an integral part of the competition.

John Ware, Team Manager, Pulse, says of the prestigious invitation, “We’re very honoured and proud to be representing F1 in Schools at this event. I think F1 in Schools is an excellent example of the link between design and motorsport, as so much of the competition used creativity and design. And from our experience of competing in F1 in Schools two of the team are considering architecture as a university degree, while another is heading for design engineering.”

Andrew Denford, Founder, F1 in Schools, adds, “F1 in Schools is a great way for students to be introduced to many school disciplines in an interesting way, and to open their eyes to the many opportunities that motorsport offers, not just within the sport directly but also the surrounding industries. The F1 in Schools Challenge began in the UK over six years ago and has forged close links with Formula One, particularly in the UK where it leads in this sector. The competition shows the creativity that there is within our schools, with some very advanced design work and innovative thinking in their submissions. The attention we’re receiving from Formula One is also demonstrating the value that they place on our programme and its potential to introduce new young talent into the sport.”

The Rt. Hon. Lord Jones of Birmingham has been an active supporter of the F1 in Schools programme since its inception and has championed its benefits within education. He says of the F1 in Schools Challenge, “It’s very important to motivate students through relevant, interesting projects and F1 in Schools is a highly successful example of how to engage students to consider the different career paths available to them. Its success in the UK has led to global expansion and it now operates in 29 countries; another example of how Britain leads the way in motorsport and innovation.”

The F1 in Schools challenge will be demonstrating the speed element of the programme at the St.James’s Palace event with Team Pulse racing its Championship-winning car on the specially designed 20 metre track. Powered by a CO2 canister, the car will race down the track at just over one second, a speed equivalent to around 240 mph. For further information on the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge visit www.f1inschools.co.uk

F1 IN SCHOOLS MEETS F1 ON TRACK - Winning students given exclusive F1 paddock access

2008-07-10T08:25:00.002Z

The British round of the Formula One World Championship may have hosted the stars of F1 and celebrities from TV and films, but Silverstone was also the destination for motor racing champions from F1 in Schools, an inspirational national and international student challenge.

Students from the winning F1 in Schools at the National Finals held in Birmingham earlier this year were given a rare insight into this prestigious and glamorous event, courtesy of Silverstone Circuit and Formula One, including grandstand passes and tours of the VIP area – the Formula One paddock. Some of the teams were also lucky enough to visit a team garage.

Pulse, a team of students from Devonport High School, Plymouth, were crowned World Champions during the Malaysian Grand Prix in March this year. The students were given a tour of the BMW Sauber F1 team garage by the team’s test driver, Christian Klien. As reigning champions, they’ve also been living life in the fast line. In a star-studded week, the students enjoyed three unique occasions – being given a VIP tour of the House of Commons, meeting HRH Prince Andrew in St. James’s Palace at a UK Trade and Investment event, and being given an F1 garage tour. They also have another treat this week, a trip to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
Team Blaze from Ynysawdre School in Wales won their taste of this exclusivity after being crowned F1 in Schools National Champions at the 2008 finals in Birmingham earlier this year. They had the privilege of spending some time in the paddock and the Renault F1 team, with the highlight of their visit being a tour of the team’s garage to see the cars being prepared for the British Grand Prix.

Hippos Strike Back, a team from St.Gregory the Great School, Oxford, were winners of the 11-14 years age group at the National Finals and they were delighted to visit the McLaren garage and pit area. Meanwhile, Spectrum, a team from Robert May’s School in Odiham, toured the Toyota garage and were given a very detailed insight into the workings of the team and its powerful engine.

Primary school students from County Atrimm, the Antrim Griffins won the Juniors National title. Although they were not able to see behind the scenes in a team garage, they were photographed with a host of stars including Ross Brawn from Honda Racing F1 team, Louise Goodman from ITV, Mark Blundell, ex-F1 racer and commentator for ITV, as well as HRH Duke of Kent and Sir Jackie Stewart.

Founder of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Andrew Denford commented, “The weekend has been a great opportunity for the students to witness Formula One up close. They had unrivalled access to the teams and garages, and spent time talking to some very influential people. The Formula One teams have extended such warm hospitality to the students; we’re very grateful for their support and for making it possible for students to gain a unique insight into the reality of Formula One and show how they could apply the skills they’ve learned in F1 in Schools to a future career in motorsport.”

F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by compressed air cylinders. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students to learn about science, maths, 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.

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

2008-04-10T08:27:00.002Z

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.

ENGLAND’S TEAM PULSE CROWNED 2008 F1 IN SCHOOLS WORLD CHAMPIONS

2008-03-28T16:11:00.004Z

Team Pulse from Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, UK have lifted the Bernie Ecclestone Trophy as they were crowned 2008 F1 in Schools World Champions at World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

John Ware, 16, Samuel Wood, 15, Andrew Lees, 16 and Thomas Simpson, 17 fought off competition from 24 teams from 15 countries to claim the coveted BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.

“We are still in shock,” said Graphic Designer Thomas Simpson, “It took two years to develop the car so I’m really pleased that all those hours of work paid off. To have won the Fastest Car award is just icing on the cake.”

After 12 months of intense competition from over 7 million students, Team Pulse battled their way through regional and national finals to reach the World Championships. Here in Kuala Lumpur, the five lads from Plymouth competed against students of 28 nationalities across Australia, Europe, Asia, America and the Middle East in three days of intense competition.

Pat Symonds, Renault F1 Engineering Director and patron of F1 in Schools attended the prize giving ceremony and expressed his delight at the standard students had achieved in this year’s competition saying of Team Pulse: “Any one of them could put me out of a job.”

Team Pulse also won the ‘Fastest Car’ award clocking a time of 1.064 seconds, just shy of the world record set by Team Fuga of Northern Ireland last year at 1.020 seconds. Several of the teams blamed the slower times on the humid conditions which increased the moisture in the air, and in some cases added weight to the miniature cars.

“When we were at school, we did manage to get under one second,” said Thomas. “I think the conditions here in Malaysia played their part but it means the challenge is still there for teams to break the one second barrier.”

The judges said Pulse scored well with an impressive portfolio and clinical presentation as well as winning the knock out challenge on Thursday morning to clinch the highest points total and scoop the title of “2008 World Champions”.

As part of their prize, Team Pulse will attend the Petronas Formula One™ Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit and have access to the prestigious Formula 1 paddock where they can rub shoulders with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso as well as having a tour of the pits and garages.

Second and third places on the podium were locked out by Australia. Goshawk from the Trinity Christian School, ACT, Australia took second place as well as The Best Engineered Car Award while team mates and Australia National Champions Impulse F1 from Barker College, New South Wales sealed third spot.

UK National Champions scooped the Innovative Thinking Award after the judges were impressed with their computer controlled air tunnel and The Best Newcomer Award went to Team Pitomia of France.

Team Hybrid, a partnership between Scotland and USA, won Best Collaboration Team for the second successive year while Team Blaze from Ynysawdre Comprehensive School flew the flag for Wales when they won Best Team Identity Award.

Singapore’s Sonic_T won Best Sportsmanship Award. The National Champions took Polaroid pictures of themselves with all of the competing teams and then put them in a scrap book where fellow teams wrote messages of friendship.

The Excaliburs, a collaboration between Bildunf Fur Technik und Natur, Germany and SMK Seksyen 9, Malaysia were presented with the Perseverance in The Face of Adversity Award. On Monday, one of the team members was taken to hospital and underwent major surgery but despite this, just two days later, she returned to support her team mates and complete her part of the verbal presentation.

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 2008 World Championships took place at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March 2008, 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 pit their small scale miniature F1 cars against each other along a 20-metre two lane track at a scale speed of over 220mph.

BERNIE ECCLESTONE CROWNS TEAM PULSE WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE F1 PADDOCK

2008-03-28T15:58:00.001Z

Chief Executive of The Formula One Group Bernie Ecclestone has crowned England’s Team Pulse 2008 F1 in Schools World Champions.

John Ware, 16, Samuel Wood, 15, Andrew Lees, 16 and Thomas Simpson, 17 were presented with the Bernie Ecclestone Trophy by Mr Ecclestone himself during a presentation in the Malaysian Grand Prix F1 paddock.

The four-man team from Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, UK fought off competition from 24 teams from 15 countries to claim the coveted BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.

“We are still in shock,” said Graphic Designer Thomas Simpson, “It took two years to develop the car so I’m really pleased that all those hours of work paid off. To have won the Fastest Car award is just icing on the cake.”

After 12 months of intense competition from over 7 million students, Team Pulse battled their way through regional and national finals to reach the World Championships. Here in Kuala Lumpur, the five lads from Plymouth competed against students of 28 nationalities across Australia, Europe, Asia, America and the Middle East in three days of intense competition.

Pat Symonds, Renault F1 Engineering Director and patron of F1 in Schools attended the prize giving ceremony and expressed his delight at the standard students had achieved in this year’s competition saying of Team Pulse: “Any one of them could put me out of a job.”

Team Pulse also won the ‘Fastest Car’ award clocking a time of 1.064 seconds, just shy of the world record set by Team Fuga of Northern Ireland last year at 1.020 seconds. Several of the teams blamed the slower times on the humid conditions which increased the moisture in the air, and in some cases added weight to the miniature cars.

“When we were at school, we did manage to get under one second,” said Thomas. “I think the conditions here in Malaysia played their part but it means the challenge is still there for teams to break the one second barrier.”

The judges said Pulse scored well with an impressive portfolio and clinical presentation as well as winning the knock out challenge on Thursday morning to clinch the highest points total and scoop the title of “2008 World Champions”.

As part of their prize, Team Pulse attended the Petronas Formula One™ Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit and had access to the prestigious Formula 1 paddock where they met a whole host of F1 personalities including Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso.

The team also enjoyed a tour of the Renault F1 pit garage and an informal chat with Honda Team Principal Ross Brawn in the Honda F1 hospitality suite.

Second and third places on the podium were locked out by Australia. Goshawk from the Trinity Christian School, ACT, Australia took second place as well as The Best Engineered Car Award while team mates and Australia National Champions Impulse F1 from Barker College, New South Wales sealed third spot.

UK National Champions scooped the Innovative Thinking Award after the judges were impressed with their computer controlled air tunnel and The Best Newcomer Award went to Team Pitomia of France.

Team Hybrid, a partnership between Scotland and USA, won Best Collaboration Team for the second successive year while Team Blaze from Ynysawdre Comprehensive School flew the flag for Wales when they won Best Team Identity Award.

Singapore’s Sonic_T won Best Sportsmanship Award. The National Champions took Polaroid pictures of themselves with all of the competing teams and then put them in a scrap book where fellow teams wrote messages of friendship.

The Excaliburs, a collaboration between Bildunf Fur Technik und Natur, Germany and SMK Seksyen 9, Malaysia were presented with the Perseverance in The Face of Adversity Award. On Monday, one of the team members was taken to hospital and underwent major surgery but despite this, just two days later, she returned to support her team mates and complete her part of the verbal presentation.

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 2008 World Championships took place at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March 2008, 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 pit their small scale miniature F1 cars against each other along a 20-metre two lane track at a scale speed of over 220mph.

Watch the World Championships LIVE!

2008-03-14T14:47:00.003Z

The 4th F1 in Schools World Championships will be held next week, 18th – 20th March at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Twenty five teams from all over the world will be competing for the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.
We are delighted to announce that 4 collaboration teams are also taking part this year:
The Excalibers from Germany and Malaysia
Team Fusion from South Africa and Scotland
Inferno from Singapore and USA
Team Hybrid from USA and Scotland

WATCH ALL THE ACTION... LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU can watch the action LIVE, from your classroom, home or office, from anywhere in the World !!

Competition Day 1 – Tuesday 18th March
Opening Ceremony 02:00 am – 04:30 am (GMT)
Afternoon racing 05:30 am – 10:30 am (GMT)
Competition Day 2 – Wednesday 19th March
Racing all day 01:00 am – 09:30 am (GMT)
Competition Day 3 – Thursday 20th March
Knockout racing 01:00 am – 04:00 am (GMT)
Gala Awards Presentation Ceremony 07:30 am – 09:30 am (GMT)

Watch and Listen! - Live model F1 Car racing, live score card, tour the Team Displays, interviews with Student Team members, verbal presentations.
Also tune into the official Opening Ceremony and Gala Awards Presentation to see who is crowned World Champions for 2008!
To watch this amazing event from the other side of the world follow this link to our hosts website http://www.f1inschools.com.my/ and click on the banner link to the webcast.
If you are in the UK, Malaysia is 8 hours ahead.
The times on our hosts website are in Malaysian Time.

It WILL be worth staying out of bed for!!!!!!

Two week countdown: Double World Champion Fernando Alonso and Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson throw their weight behind F1 in Schools

2008-03-07T15:42:00.003Z

With just two weeks to go until the 2008 F1 in Schools World Championships, Double World Champion Fernando Alonso and Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson have given their backing to the F1 in Schools initiative.

Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso said: “It’s always good to do things that get young people interested in motorsport, especially on the technical side, and this competition is the ideal way to do that. It gives them an opportunity to learn about engineering and to see the challenges that you face in a competitive environment.”

Anthony Davidson continues to offer his support to the initiative: “I think F1 in Schools is a great idea, and a brilliant project for the pupils to be involved in. It encourages schools to see F1, and motorsports generally, as a serious career option, and gives the students the chance to get some vital experience and contacts.”

Alonso and Davidson join Chief Executive of The Formula One Group Bernie Ecclestone, Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard and F1 in Schools Patrons Ross Brawn, Honda Team Principal; Adrian Newey, Red Bull Technical Officer; Mike Gascoyne, Force India F1 Chief Technical Officer; Pat Symonds, Renault Engineering Director; Sam Michael, Williams Technical Director and James Allen, ITV F1 Lead Commentator as key supporters of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge.

Currently the 25 teams are busy fine tuning their miniature F1 cars, spell checking their presentations, and putting the finishing touches on their portfolios as they prepare for their life-changing trip to Malaysia.

The teams will be treated like royalty from the minute they arrive in Kuala Lumpur, with a police escort to KL city centre for a cultural visit and a trip to the Skybridge of the Petronas Twin Towers where they will participate in a gift exchange as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Each team brings a token gift which represents their country to exchange with other teams.

All the teams will get the chance to attend the Petronas Formula One™ Malaysian Grand Prix but as an extra special prize, the newly crowned World Champions will have access to the prestigious Formula 1 paddock where they can rub shoulders with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso as well as seeing the cars close up in the garages.

The 2008 World Championships are taking place at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March, during the build up to the Petronas Formula One™ Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Over three days of action-packed competition, the teams will pit their small scale miniature F1 cars against each other along a 20-metre two lane track at a scale speed of over 220mph.

The 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.

School children from 15 countries across the globe have 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. Teams will compete to win the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University, London.

For more information on the 2008 F1 in Schools World Championships, images or to organise any interviews with team members please contact:
Lawrence Barretto on T: +44 20 7313 9180 or lawrence@khpconsulting.com

Ecclestone and Coulthard back F1 in Schools

2008-03-07T15:39:00.001Z

Chief Executive of The Formula One Group Bernie Ecclestone and Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard have given their support to the F1 in Schools initiative ahead of next month’s World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Bernie Ecclestone, Chief Executive of The Formula One Group said: “I think the collaboration element of the competition is a fantastic idea. Formula One brings together a range of nationalities and cultures who work together to achieve a common goal and so replicating this in the F1 in Schools initiative will prove invaluable both personally and professionally for all the students taking part.”

Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard is the latest high profile name to back the F1 in Schools initiative. “F1 in Schools offers young people aspiring to work in F1 a great opportunity to experience the demands of designing, engineering and manufacturing a racing car while contributing enormously to their education and enjoyment. It’s inspirational to see them channelling their enthusiasm into engineering and Formula One.”

Ecclestone and Coulthard join F1 in Schools Patrons Ross Brawn, Honda Team Principal; Adrian Newey, Red Bull Technical Officer; Mike Gascoyne, Force India F1 Chief Technical Officer; Pat Symonds, Renault Engineering Director; Sam Michael, Williams Technical Director and James Allen, ITV F1 Lead Commentator as key supporters of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge.

Ross Brawn, the engineering brains behind Michael Schumacher’s seven F1 world championships, said “My career in engineering started as a youngster because of an enthusiastic father and a Meccano set. F1 in Schools takes the idea to another level and contributes enormously to the education and enjoyment of these young people. There is such a broad range of disciplines along with the need to be part of a team within a competitive environment. You can see the sheer enthusiasm they have and it is great that all this enthusiasm is channelled into engineering and Formula One. These are our engineers of the future and our future is engineering.”

ITV-F1 lead commentator James Allen continues to show his support towards the F1 in Schools initiative: “I'm delighted to host the awards ceremony for the F1 in Schools world championships once again. It is a programme which I have supported with great enthusiasm for many years now. Each year the standard seems to get higher and this year is no exception. The level of engineering innovation these children attain is astonishing to me and to all the F1 engineers who come into the sphere of F1 in Schools.

“I'm fascinated to see how the long distance technical collaborations work this year. To see kids working together across continents using internet and video conferencing is hugely positive for the programme and if it proves a success this year I'm sure we'll see more of it in future,” said James Allen.

The 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 2008 World Championships are taking place at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March 2008, 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 will pit 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 15 countries across the globe have 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. Teams will compete to win the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University, London.

Teamwork is the name of the game

2008-02-25T09:45:00.001Z

Collaboration is the name of the game at this year’s F1 in Schools World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the competition embraces four unique teams from six countries working together to win the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy in the only competition of its kind.

Bernie Ecclestone, Chief Executive of The Formula One Group said: “I think the collaboration element of the competition is a fantastic idea. Formula One brings together a range of nationalities and cultures who work together to achieve a common goal and so replicating this in the F1 in Schools initiative will prove invaluable both personally and professionally for all the students taking part.”

Team Hybrid from USA & Scotland led the way with the first ever collaboration entry at last year’s World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Following their unprecedented success, they will be joined in this year’s competition by South Africa & Scotland, Singapore & USA and Malaysia & Germany. Countries that wish to take part in the collaboration category have been given an additional place in the competition alongside their respective teams as F1 in Schools looks to expand the global teamwork element of the initiative.

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools expressed his delight at the new category: “Having used video conferencing and internet communication tools, the teams will meet each other for the very first time on arrival in Malaysia! F1 in Schools is proud to draw students from totally diverse backgrounds and cultures and to encourage them to work together to achieve a common goal. We expect huge interest in this exciting new addition to the challenge as it not only opens up new areas of technology but creates long term partnerships and friendships between students and schools around the world.”

With Formula One™ reaching out to all corners of the globe, and its teams made up of a variety of nationalities working together to win the Formula One World Championship, F1 in Schools looks to replicate this scenario by bringing international business communication to the forefront and promoting global teamwork amongst young people.

The 2008 World Championships are taking place at the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March 2008, during the build up to the Petronas Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. School children from 15 countries across the globe have won their way through regional and national finals, and competed against over 7 million students, to win the chance to represent their countries in the fourth annual World Championships. Teams will compete to win the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships, one of the leading courses in the country, at City University London.

The aim of F1 in Schools is to encourage students to consider a career in engineering and aspire to become the next Ross Brawn or Pat Symonds, the top men behind the success of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, by providing them with an enjoyable and exciting learning experience.

The 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.

With design and engineering playing a pivotal part in Formula One, the initiative has drawn support from all the F1 teams and is proud to have patrons Ross Brawn, Honda Team Principal, Adrian Newey, Red Bull Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne, Force India F1 Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, Renault Engineering Director, Sam Michael, Williams Technical Director and James Allen, ITV F1 Commentator in support as they look to keep an eye out for emerging technical stars of the future.

Collaboration Team List

USA/Scotland Team - Hybrid
Scottish participants from Lochgelly High School, Fife - Gemma Henderson, Andrew Howe and Stacey Haldane.
USA participants from East Cobb Middle School, Georgia, USA – Tyler Gagat, Geoff Gagat, Peter Moot.

South Africa/Scotland – Team Fusion
Scottish participants from Blairgowrie High School, Perthshire – Steven Welsh, Grant Duffy, Joao Martins.
South African participants from Maritzburg College – Roscoe McLean, Duncan McKune and Geoff Brown.

Germany/Malaysia – The Excaliburs
Malaysian participants from SMK Seksyen 9 School, Selangor – Acacia Mardiana Binti Daud, Ili Syahirah Binti Zainal Abidin, Kaiyisah Binti Abu Saffian.
German participants from Bildung fur Technik und Natur – Ramona Montanus, Rona Heuermann and Melina Montanus.

Singapore/USA – Inferno
Singapore participants from Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore – Tan Hui Min, Chan Xi Wen, Lee Si Min, Xie Caijing.
USA participants – Patrick Henry School, Virginia – Patrick Doherty

For more information on the 2008 F1 in Schools World Championships, images or to organise any interviews with team members please contact:
Lawrence Barretto on T: +44 20 7313 9180 or lawrence@khpconsulting.com

Final Entry List

Northern Ireland – Fuga - Defending World Champions
Australia – Impulse F1
Australia – Goshawk
China - Yong Shi
China - Guang Su
France – Pitomia
Germany – Friesen Design
Hong Kong – Dragons
Kuwait – LoYAC Racing
Malaysia - Rapid Blaze
Malaysia – Frontier
Singapore – Sonic_T
South Africa – Team Zealous
South Africa – Team Crushers
USA – S.E.M Racing
UK – Team Momentus
England – Pulse
Northern Ireland - DNA
Scotland – XLR8
Wales – Team Blaze
Ireland – Gear Force
Germany & Malaysia – The Excaliburs – Collaboration Team 1
South Africa & Scotland – Team Fusion – Collaboration Team 2
Singapore & USA – Inferno – Collaboration Team 3
USA & Scotland – Team Hybrid – Collaboration Team 4

F1 IN SCHOOLS™ ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSOR

2008-02-25T09:44:00.000Z

F1 in Schools™ is proud to announce SolidWorks Corporation, the world's leading 3D CAD software manufacturer for design, analysis and product data management, as a new UK sponsor and Global supplier for the next three seasons. The collaboration between SolidWorks and the F1 in Schools™ global Technology Challenge gives students entering the competition access to the key resources they need to enhance their engineering education.

The aim of F1 in Schools™ is to encourage students to consider engineering as a career, highlighting the positive nature of all that embraces engineering in a fun and positive way. The challenge is for school children aged 11 to 18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race a 20th scale model F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2 cylinders.

The availability of the complimentary SolidWorks Student Design Kit 3D CAD software to all students who compete in the challenge will enable them to perform all of the design and analysis tasks undertaken by a typical engineer as they create scale model Formula 1 cars.

Founder and Chairman of the F1 in Schools™ Technology Challenge, Andrew Denford, commented on his delight of the new partnership, “We are thrilled that F1 in Schools™ has joined with SolidWorks to offer students a fresh incentive to join the challenge. Design and analysis is an integral part of F1 in Schools™; the 3D CAD software along with the available CAM software will provide valuable engineering skills. It will also give the students the ability to realise their designs before the manufacturing process, just like in the real world of Formula One™.”

“The challenge currently operates in 26 countries across the globe, with over 7 million school children aware of and participating in the competition; we aim to provide all of these students with the SolidWorks design software, giving F1 in Schools™ a huge technological appeal for students and schools alike.”

“Real-world experience is a powerful method of attracting students to productive engineering careers,” said Marie Planchard, SolidWorks’ director of world education markets. “The F1 in Schools™ competition provides an amazing opportunity for students to design, test and build their own designs and work as a team. We are proud to sponsor such a program.”
F1 in Schools™ is regarded by the Formula One™ fraternity as a platform for introducing Formula One™ to a global teen demographic. The student challenge is also helping Formula One™ shed its image as an elitist sport accessible only to multi-million pound budgets; on the contrary, F1 in Schools™ is open to any school with access to a simple computer. The 2008 World Championship will have the support of a host of companies, together with recognition from all the Formula One™ teams and its Patrons.

One month countdown - F1 in Schools gears up for 2008 World Championships

2008-02-25T09:40:00.000Z

F1 in Schools has moved into top gear as it prepares for the 2008 World Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in just one month’s time. School children from 17 countries across the world have battled their way through regional and national finals, and competed against over 7 million students, to win the chance to represent their countries in the fourth annual World Championships.

Over three days of enthralling competition (18th-20th March 2008), 25 teams will pit their miniature F1 cars against each other along a 20-metre two lane track. Last year’s winners, Team Fuga from Northern Ireland stole the show when they set a new world record of 1.020 seconds to edge closer to the elusive one second barrier.

The aim of F1 in Schools is to encourage students to consider engineering as a career, highlighting the positive nature of all that embraces engineering by creating an enjoyable and exciting environment for young people to experience careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology first hand. The challenge is for school children aged 11 to 18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race a 20th scale model F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2.

This year’s World Championships sees four collaboration teams entering the contest as F1 in Schools strives to bring together different races and cultures from all corners of the globe to compete and work together. The collaboration sees two countries pooling their ideas, skills and teamwork together to produce one miniature F1 car.

The 2008 World Championships will take place in the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18th to 20th March 2008, the week leading up to the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. A total of 25 teams representing their countries will contest the International event as they compete to win the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and an Automotive Engineering scholarship at City University, London.

Malaysia won the right to hold this year’s World Championships following the growing commitment to F1 in Schools from the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

Malaysian Minister of Education, Dato Sri Hishammuddin Hussein said: "We are honoured that F1 in Schools has chosen Malaysia as the host of the world finals. Malaysia is a growing motorsport nation, and we hope that having such a high profile, youth orientated, motorsport event in Malaysia, alongside our Grand Prix weekend will generate widespread interest both locally and in other Asian countries and showcase the educational and ICT initiatives we are developing within our country."

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools Ltd expressed his delight ahead of the World Championships in Malaysia. "Malaysia is the first country to adopt F1 in Schools into the national curriculum and new initiatives in teaching and learning and is therefore the ideal host for the 2008 World Championships.

“Last year’s World Championships in Melbourne, Australia were an amazing success, and this year we hope for an even greater level of competition between the teams.”

In 2007, the World Champions were Team Fuga, from Northern Ireland. They set a new world speed record of 1.020 seconds down the 20-metre race track, at a scale speed of over 220 mph per hour and will return next month to defend their title. The runners-up were the all-girl trio from Scotland, Team Lightning, followed by another all-girl team in third place, Mercurial Ace from Malaysia. The world record set in 2006 by Malaysia was broken no less than nine times over the four days!

The competition has grown year on year since its birth in 2000, with over 7 million students aware of and taking part around the globe. Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of Formula One Management gave his support to F1 in Schools by granting the challenge a world-wide protected trademark and a new logo in 2005. Since this time the initiative has gained the support of several patrons from within the world of Formula One including Honda Team Principal Ross Brawn, Red Bull Technical Officer Adrian Newey, Force India F1 Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne, Renault Engineering Director Pat Symonds, Williams Technical Director Sam Michael and ITV F1 Commentator James Allen amongst others.

Confirmed Entry List

Northern Ireland – Team Fuga - Defending World Champions

Australia – Impulse F1
Australia – Goshawks
China –Yonh Shi
China – =Guang Su
France – Pitomia
Germany – Friesen Design
Hong Kong – Dragons
Kuwait – Lo YAC Racing
Malaysia – Frontier
Malaysia – Rapid Blaze
Singapore – Sonic_T
South Africa – Team Zealous
South Africa – Team Crushers
USA - S.E.M. Racing
UK – Team Momentus
England – Pulse
Northern Ireland – DNA
Scotland – XLR8
Wales – Blaze
Ireland – Gear Force

Germany & Malaysia – The Excaliburs – Collaboration Team 1
South Africa & Scotland – Team Fusion – Collaboration Team 2
Singapore & USA – Inferno – Collaboration Team 3
USA & Scotland – Team Hybrid – Collaboration Team 4

YNYSAWDRE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL STUDENTS BLAZE THE TRAIL

2008-01-17T14:30:00.000Z

WELSH TEAM CROWNED UK FORMULA ONE IN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS

‘Blaze’, a student team from Ynysawdre School, Bridgend, Wales raced their Formula One car to victory today to be crowned UK champions at the National Finals of the prestigious F1 in Schools Formula One Technology Challenge, held at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham’s NEC.

The aspiring Formula One designers of the future developed their own scale model racing car for the Challenge, putting in over 300 hours of work each to realise their dream of producing a winning F1 car. The students’ dedication and passion for the project included designing the car with CAD software, manufacturing it using CNC technology, and testing it on their own test track.

Patrick Pang, Team Manager, Blaze, said of winning the 2008 F1 in Schools title, “We’re over the moon! We’ve put a lot of effort into our car for this year’s Challenge and we’ve got the best reward we could get. The standard is really high and we didn’t think we’d get the overall title today, so we’re really pleased. We won the Welsh title last year, but this is a really big accolade and we just can’t believe it.”

With over 200 teams competing this year, Blaze fought through the tough South Wales regional final to win a place at the National Finals. At this event they were pitted against the best teams from around the country, beating their rivals to take the crown. The team’s car posted one of the fastest times of the day and their presentation also scored top marks, with the team showing their initiative by raising £3,500 sponsorship support from local companies, and raising funds for their programme with a range of activities including sales of Tshirts, posters, badges and keyrings.

The Ynysawdre school team win a place at the 2009 World Championships, which will be held alongside an international Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2009. At the World Championships teams from 20 countries around the globe will compete to win the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and secure a coveted scholarship at City University London to study Automotive Engineering, a highly valuable prize which will give the students a firm foundation for an engineering career. They also win VIP tickets to this year’s British Grand Prix.

The National Finals featured 23 awards, with 17 different schools from across the UK taking home the trophies. Blaze won the 16+ age group as well as the overall title, beating Spectrum F1 from Robert May’s School, Odiham, winners of the 14-16 years age group and The Hippos Strike Back from St Gregory the Great School, Oxford in the 11-14 years age group. In the Primary School finals Antrim Griffins from Antrim Primary School, Northern Ireland took victory with St. Canice Primary School, Dungiven, North Ireland runners up and The Red Rose Rockets from Clifton Primary School, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.

This year’s search for the best young engineering talent in the UK took the judges around the country with 11 regional finals and around 2000 students participating in the Challenge which aims to encourage students to consider engineering as a career choice.

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge said of this year’s National Finals, “Every year the standard gets higher, the students produce more sophisticated designs and presentations and show tremendous engineering understanding, at a very early age. Their knowledge and experience of using advanced CAD software will undoubtedly give them a head start for an engineering-based career.

“F1 in Schools showcases the prospective engineering talent that we have in this country. By nurturing it with programmes such as this, we can sustain the UK engineering industry and hopefully we’re also seeing the next generation of Formula One designers in this Technology Challenge; youngsters to follow in the footsteps of successful industry personalities such as Ross Brawn, Adrian Newey, Mike Gascoyne and the other technical directors in Formula One.”

The F1 in Schools competition challenges students to design, construct and race a Formula 1 car of the future, made from a block of balsa wood, and powered by a CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas canister. The car is raced over a miniature two lane track and the fastest time is recorded.

Aside from the on-track action, teams also produce supporting evidence of their design, develop a sponsorship and marketing campaign and create team merchandise, with all these elements the team originally presented with their car in front of a panel of judges at the regional finals. The winning team from each age category then won their place at the national finals, where the level of competition steps up a notch.

The Challenge, in its eighth year, was introduced to the UK in 2000 and since this time has expanded to 29 countries, with over 7 million students taking part around the globe. Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of Formula One Management gave his support to F1 in Schools by granting the challenge a world-wide protected trademark and a new logo in 2005. Since this time the initiative has built close links with teams and personalities within Formula One.

F1 in Schools is regarded by the Formula One fraternity as a platform for introducing Formula One to a global teen demographic. The student challenge is also helping Formula One shed its image as an elitist sport accessible only to multi-million pound budgets; on the contrary, F1 in Schools is open to any school with access to a simple computer.

The National Finals take place with the assistance of a host of sponsors and supporters. Amongst these are the IET, Make Your Mark, Jaguar, Silverstone Circuit, Denford, City University London, RAE, SEMTA, and KHP Consulting, all of whom are continuing their support of F1 in Schools for the coming year.

F1 in Schools World Championships 2008

2007-10-31T16:46:00.001Z

Photograph shows (left to right): Dato Sri Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of Education Malaysia, Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman, F1 in Schools, Data'Hj Abd Halim Bin Hj Abdul Samad, Organising Chairman F1 in Schools Sdn Bhd and Dato' Hajjah Noorezan Bt Bapoo Hashim, Deputy Director General MOE.

F1 IN SCHOOLS REVS UP FOR 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MALAYSIA

F1 in Schools is delighted to announce that Malaysia has won the race for the right to host the 2008 F1 in Schools World Championships following the nation's unprecedented success in the last three events. The Ministry of Education, Malaysia, made a comprehensive case to hold the Championships during the week leading up to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in March 2008 and F1 in Schools was impressed with the country's commitment to the programme.

The aim of F1 in Schools is to encourage students to consider engineering as a career, highlighting the positive nature of all that embraces engineering in a fun and positive way. The challenge is for school children aged 11 to 18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race a 20^th scale model F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO₂ cylinders.

F1 in Schools Ltd has announced that the 2008 World Championships will take place in the 5* Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18^th to 20^th of March 2008. There are presently a total of 25 teams representing their countries due to attend the fourth year of this International event as they compete to win the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship Trophy and an Automotive Engineering scholarship at The City University, London.

In 2007 the World Championships were held in Melbourne, Australia and the victors were Team Fuga, from Northern Ireland. They set a new world speed record of 1.020 seconds down the 20-metre race track, at a scale speed of over 220 mph per hour and have confirmed they will return next year to defend their title. The runners-up were the all-girl trio from Scotland, Team Lightning, followed by another all-girl team in third place, Mercurial Ace from Malaysia. The world record set in 2006 by Malaysia was broken no less than nine times over the four days!

Following formal discussions and an exchange of documents between the Minister of Education, Dato Sri Hishammuddin Hussein and F1 in Schools Ltd, Founder and Chairman, Andrew Denford, commented on his delight that they would be heading to Malaysia for the World Finals; "The F1 in Schools World Championship was an amazing success last year in Australia, and has since spread globally to over 26 countries. Malaysia is the first country to adopt F1 in Schools into the national curriculum and new initiatives in teaching and learning. Next year at our annual event in Malaysia we hope for an even greater level of competition between the teams. F1 in Schools continues to be a great way of encouraging young people to enjoy engineering and design."

The Minister commented: "We are honoured that F1 in Schools has chosen Malaysia as the host of the world finals. Malaysia is a growing motorsport nation, and we hope that having such a high profile, youth orientated, motorsport event in Malaysia, alongside our Grand Prix weekend will generate widespread interest both locally and in other Asian countries and showcase the educational and ICT initiatives we are developing within our country."

F1 in Schools operates in 26 countries across the globe, with over 7 million school children participating in the competition. The 2008 World Championship will have the support of a host of companies, together with recognition from all the Formula One teams and its Patrons.

Following on from the event all participants will have the chance to enjoy three days of fun at the Formula One Grand Prix, brushing shoulders with drivers, senior engineers and VIP guests along with a packed itinerary of fun activities at the hotel water park.

Ends.

For further information on F1 in Schools visit: www.F1inSchools.com

For commercial and franchising enquiries please contact:

Chris Welch on 0207 313 9180 or email chris@kphconsulting.com

For communications and public relations enquiries please contact:

Alison Hill/Lucinda Brown

ID Public Relations Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)7710 306588

Email Alison@id-pr.co.uk/Lucinda@id-pr.co.uk

Ireland set to join in 08!

2007-03-30T14:36:00.000Z

The recently announced Irish Champions are set to attend the 2008 world championships in Malaysia!

The Crew video of the 2007 Finals in Melbourne

2007-03-27T13:19:00.000Z

Download and watch "The Crew" as they follow the 2007 International Finals in Melbourne

Team Fuga - The New World Champions 2007 !

2007-03-19T14:42:00.000Z

The new world champions of F1inSchools are Team Fuga from Northern Ireland who were crowned at an official function at the Sebel Albert Park Hotel after four intense days of competition in Melbourne (March 2007). They scored maximum points across 11 categories which included setting a new world speed record of 1.020 seconds down the 20-metre race track. The runners-up were the all-girl trio from Scotland, Team Lightning, followed by another all-girl team in third place, Mercurial Ace from Malaysia.
Individual award winners were C2 from Canada (Newcomers Award), Tanza Knights from South Africa (Best Team Sponsorship & Marketing), Friesen-Design from Germany (Innovative Thinking) for their two part wheels made from different composite materials, DASHA The Eagle of Australia and Team Fuga in the first ever F1InSchools draw (Best Engineered Car), Team Fuga (Fastest Car). The world record set in 2006 by Malaysia was broken no less than nine times over the four days.
There were several new awards created at this year’s world championships: the Sportsmanship Award went to Mercurial Ace for lending their wheels and axles to the Canadian team which had lost parts in transit... allowing the Canadians to post one of the fastest lap times of the competition. ESF Scorpions from Hong Kong won Perseverance in the Face of Adversity because a last-minute shortfall of funds meant they had to compete virtually via webcam and teleconferencing. They watched the presentation ceremony via webcast, as did people from all over the world. Team Hybrid, a combination of Americans and Scots, won the Collaboration Award. They only met for the first time in Melbourne having done all of their development work via cyberspace.
The evening function was MC’d by F1 commentator and F1inSchools patron James Allan, and special guests included the Malaysian Deputy Education Minister and Renault F1 technical director Pat Symonds.

Welcome to the F1 In Schools International News

2007-03-19T12:09:00.000Z

In order to be able to keep you up to date with F1 In Schools International news and events, we have created this blog.

Congratulations to Team Fuga from Northern Ireland - The New World Champions 2007 !

30th June 2006....HONDA RACING F1 TEAM RECORD FASTEST TIME IN STUDENT CHALLENGE...

2006-06-30T10:32:00.000Z

Honda Racing F1 Team beat off stiff opposition from Scuderia Ferrari F1, the Bradfield Panthers and the East Cobb Flying Cougars to record the fastest time of the day with their miniature racer, in the F1 in Schools F1 teams event held today at the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis.
Teams from Honda Racing F1 Team and Ferrari took up the challenge to build F1 cars of the future and race against the F1 in Schools National Champion student teams from the USA and UK.

The event was a showcase for the F1 in Schools Formula One Technology Challenge, a global competition which aims to help change perceptions of engineering, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, science and technology.
A purpose-built 20 metre track set up at the American race facility was used to test the speed of 1:20 scale model CO2 powered balsa wood F1™ cars which were designed, manufactured and tested by each team. The car of the Bradfield Panthers from the UK and that of East Cobb Flying Cougars of the USA had already proved their speed, winning their respective national championships earlier this year.
The F1 teams, built by young designers in their spare time, were unproven until this afternoon.
The Honda Racing F1 team led by Gil de Ferran and Ferrari F1 team headed by Ross Brawn had both produced cars with unique designs, reflecting the innovative approaches used within Formula One, and it was that of the Honda Racing F1 team which posted the fastest time of 1.146 seconds. The current world record time is held by a student team from Malaysia with a car which has recorded a time of 1.083 seconds.

It was the Bradfield Panthers car which was the biggest threat to Honda Racing F1 but in the final run off couldn’t match the pace of the Formula One team, recording a time of 1.157 seconds, to claim the runner up spot. The Flying Cougars team from Marietta, Georgia and the Ferrari team had to settle for third and fourth fastest times respectively,
UK national champions, Bradfield Panthers, were impressed with the Honda Racing F1 car and planned to use some of its design elements to upgrade their racer before their participation in the World Championships in Melbourne next year.
Brad McAnearney from the Panthers said at the end of the Challenge,

“It’s been a great experience to race against real F1 teams. We were a bit
disappointed that we didn’t win, but we’ve learnt so much from talking to the
designers and having a close look at their race cars, that it will help us for
the World Championships.”

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools Ltd, said,

“This has been a unique opportunity for us to showcase the F1 in Schools Formula
One Technology Challenge right in the heart of a Formula One race weekend, and
with the support of two Formula One teams. Their participation has helped us to
put our initiative into the spotlight and we hope that this will, in turn,
encourage more students and schools to participate in the Challenge and this
could be in one of over 20 countries.

Denford adds,

“My thanks go to Bernie Ecclestone, for giving us so much support and enabling
us to make this challenge happen and also to Ferrari and Honda Racing F1 too,
for being brave enough to take up the offer of building a car and racing it,
untried, in public.I think the teams have seen that there are school children
preparing to follow in their footsteps, and through F1 in Schools, have been
enthused about engineering. Both teams have shown the students that F1 technical
teams are also the heroes of Formula One and should be aspired towards. It’s
been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our student teams today.”

F1 in Schools™ was given generous support by The Formula One Group and Indianapolis Motor Speedway to host the event and welcome the student teams into Formula One™. F1 in Schools™ is a not-for-profit organisation solely supported by sponsors and partners. Launched in Britain in 2000, F1 in Schools™ now covers the world. In November 2005, it received the backing of the Formula One™ group which granted a world-wide protected trademark and logo. F1 in Schools™ is acknowledged as highlighting some of the finest design and engineering minds of the teen generation, including potential future Formula One™ design stars.