A team of BEng (Hons) Automotive and Motorsport Engineering and BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering students have designed and built a single-seat racing car from scratch for the Formula Student 2025 competition, which takes place from 16 – 20 July.
The annual event will see universities from around the UK, Europe, Asia, and as far as Australia gather to race their cars against the clock and each other.
A host of local businesses have sponsored University of Staffordshire’s team this year, providing financial support, materials and equipment to help build the car.
On Friday, the car was revealed to sponsors, academics, alumni, and members of the team’s family and friends at a special launch event, where guests got to see the car in action for the first time.
Nikita Dookhy, the team’s Business and Sponsorship Lead, said: “The support we gain from each and every sponsor is invaluable, whether it be financial, services, or products. As a direct result of our sponsors, we are able to run a top-of-the-line Cosworth data package, use bespoke CNC-machined components from KMF and Bergen Motorsports, and, as a result of the financial sponsors such as Alton Towers, we have had the budget to push the boundaries with the team’s first monocoque chassis.
“Having the sponsors see what we have done with their support gives the team great pride. Put simply, we could not do what we do without the companies we are so fortunate to work with.”
University of Staffordshire has a strong track record at the Formula Student competition, with last year’s team claiming fourth place overall, as well as placing first in the endurance shootout and the acceleration shootout.
Alongside on-track events, the competition involves static events with the competition’s governing body, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE). Teams have to produce a detailed cost breakdown, engineering design report, and even a Dragon’s Den style business plan where teams pitch their car to judges acting as potential investors.
Team Leader Alexander McFarlane said: “We have been hard at work since September in preparation for the event, everything from training up new team members to long hours spent constructing our car. This year we have constructed our first ever monocoque chassis for the car which in itself has been a huge undertaking.
“We have been working incredibly hard to get all this done in time for July and whilst we are now approaching the date of the competition, the pressure is only going to increase.”
He added: “I can’t talk about the team without mentioning how fortunate we are to have our Faculty Advisor Martin Dunn – without his support, none of this would be possible. Anytime we run into an issue he always seems to have a solution on hand, which is invaluable when a new problem arises at 1am, which has happened more than once this past year!”
University of Staffordshire’s Formula Student 2025 team sponsors are:
- Cosworth
- Accu
- LogoMeUp
- Klarius
- Haydale
- Permabond
- Gamegrid
- BAR Garages
- Rednal Karting
- Bergen Motorsports
- Formbend
- 3DConnexion
- 3DExperience
- Alton Towers
- TEK Electronics
- EasyComposites
- Wrapstar
- William Mellard & Sons
- KMF
- Getav
- RS
- Autohose