Student Race Team is on the Right Track

14th July 2014

A team of Sheffield Hallam students is set to head to Silverstone today to compete against 35,000 students from universities all over the world in the annual Formula Student Competition.

  SHU Racing will be taking their own formula series car which they have been working around the clock for almost a year to design and build. The team, consisting of 19 students from a variety of academic backgrounds, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and English literature, have contributed to the creation of the car which will be put through its paces on the Silverstone track.   As well as testing the car with stringent speed, acceleration and endurance tests, the team will also have to present the car as a financially viable business proposal to a panel of judges.   English literature student Sophie Fenelon is part of the SHU Racing business team and is one of the 280 women taking part in the competition this year - the highest number in Formula Student history.   Sophie has had a pivotal role in sourcing the £15,000 from local companies which has funded the project.   Sophie said: "Without the work of the team's sponsors, a project like this wouldn't be possible.   "Whether it's a car part, design of our team kit or transport to the event, it's down to the support of our sponsors that we are able to compete. We would like to thank everyone who has made this possible for us."   After successful trial tests in June, the team are hopeful that all their hard work will pay off this weekend, where they will be in with the chance of being crowned Formula Student Champions 2014. Winners will get the chance to experience a lap around the Silverstone Circuit with Honda Yuasa Racing driver and BTCC champion, Matt Neal.   Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro Vice- Chancellor for the faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Science at Sheffield Hallam, said: "The students have done a fantastic job. Last year there wasn't even a car to enter so they've salvaged what they could and built something really special."