During the summer, eight Southern Regional College (SRC) students studying the Degree and Foundation Degrees in Engineering took part in the prestigious Formula Student competition at Silverstone Race Circuit. Competing within the Concept Class category, students achieved an impressive 10th place finish amongst 31 participating institutions.
Students involved within SRC Racing are Rebecca Dickson (Banbridge), Fearghal Murphy (Killeavy), Lewis Deards (Ballygowan), Ross Graham (Banbridge), Sean Treanor (Monaghan), Guilherme Passos (Newry), Aleyah Peniero (Banbridge) and Richard Livingstone (Armagh).
The Concept Class category challenges student teams to develop a prototype race car. Teams are expected to present a business plan to judges and undertake a component costing presentation. This challenges each team’s ability to balance engineering and design decisions against realistic budgeting and manufacturing processes. During the challenge, teams are questioned and challenged by judges to defend decisions taken and approaches undertaken.
Success at this stage of the competition is a requirement to move forward into the next stage of the competition, the Formula Student class, where student designed formula cars race the track at Silverstone.
Following their top ten finish at this year’s competition, SRC’s Student Formula team is already looking ahead to next year and a new challenge, as they prepare to compete in the Formula Student category. Their success has been supported by the dedication and expertise of their lecturers, alongside generous sponsorship from local companies, whose financial backing has helped cover many of the costs associated with designing, building and bringing a competition car to the racetrack.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College commented:
“This is a fantastic achievement for our Engineering students and one that demonstrates the talent, ambition and technical expertise being developed at Southern Regional College. Formula Student provides an exceptional opportunity for students to apply their learning to a challenging, real-world engineering project, developing not only their design and technical skills, but also their ability to work collaboratively, manage costs and make sound commercial decisions. Securing a top ten finish at Silverstone is a tremendous result, and I congratulate the students and their lecturers on their hard work”.
