A team of students from the University of Warwick have just come 7th overall in the UK and 22nd in the world in an international competition to build a “formula student” racing car.

In under 10 months this year’s University of Warwick Formula Student team of 4th year Engineering students from a range of disciplines; Manufacturing, Mechanical and Automotive designed, manufactured and assembled their W10 car to compete against 100 teams from 30 countries across the world.

The final of the competition took place at Silverstone from the 15th to 18th of July and involved business, design and cost presentations alongside dynamic tests in the sprint, endurance and acceleration events.

Team member Rhiannon Stone said: "The team has over 25 sponsors this year, all of whom have supported the intense development of the W10. Optimised for minimal weight, maximum reliability. The car incorporates an “Eco-seat" made from coconut husk, a fully student designed, built and assembled Innovative drive shaft design using “DMLS Titanium splined ends” with carbon fibre shafts."

It also has up rated suspension and braking systems from the car entered last time along with a completely new design in every area of the car. Around 95% of the car has actually been manufactured by the team of students who have gained new skills in welding and CNC machining to allow its completion to a high standard.

The WFS team, led by Ashley Pearce, developed a philosophy of Simplicity, Reliability and Lightweight to guide design decisions. Ashley comments that “Following a philosophy and a set of common goals has created an extremely driven team who have a proven ability in problem solving. We hope that with the knowledge, team working ability and high quality that has gone in to the car we can perform competitively at Silverstone”.

For further information please contact:
Peter Dunn, Head of Communications
Communications Office, University House,
University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW, United Kingdom
email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)24 76 523708 Mobile/Cell: +44 (0)7767 655860

Pr68 20th July 2010