Scarborough UTC Students Reach National F1 Finals

A stunning performances in the Formula 1 in Schools competition has put students of Scarborough UTC in the UK final.

The college fielded two teams in the regional heats – where they won eight honours.

Both teams will now represent the North in the national final which will take place in October.

The challenge involves manufacturing a miniature F1 racing car to speed along a 20-metre track, powered by compressed air at up to 45mph.

At the Racing Show for the North regional heats held digitally due to COVID, Scarborough UTC fielded year-10 teams - Zenith Racing and a sixth form team SBA Avidity Racing.

The students taking part for Zenith were year Adam Hodgson, Zane Craven, Louie Stephenson and Matt Dugdale.

The Avidity team comprised Missy McArdle, Alex Jenkin and Libby Atkin.

They were led by Rob Shephard, UTC Director of Engineering. 

Zenith recorded a track time of 1.271 seconds and won in the Development Class:

• Best Engineered Car 
• Research and Development Star Quality
• First Overall and now UK finalists
• Portfolio Award Star Quality

Avidity recorded a track time of 1.070 seconds and won in the Professional Class:

• Lightning Reaction Time (0.228 seconds)
• Fastest Car 
• Portfolio Award Star Quality
• Best Engineered Car 
• First Place and now UK finalists

UTC Principal, Lee Kilgour, said :

"The clean sweep at the regional event for not one but two teams is fantastic, we are just elated,"

"The students are fantastic ambassadors for the UTC.

"They were not only putting their engineering and design skills into action but learning skills such as project management and communication.

"It's a rigorous assessment - they have to research and explain the manufacture of the car, submit a detailed portfolio and make a presentation."

He added:

"We are very proud and we look forward to the national stage, again flying the flag for Scarborough and its young people.

"We are now cementing our place as a Centre of Excellence for technical education."

More than 40 teams are taking part in the event this year, comprising 227 students from countries around the world. 

The students submitted minute technical details of their car design and creation and embedded video interviews of themselves in their presentation.

They also had to raise sponsorship for their car projects.

The UTC is also taking part in Girls on Track, a scheme to encourage more female students to consider careers in engineering and in motorsport, where only 2% of females are involved.

Missy, Libby and Reanne Adnitt were chosen to visit Silverstone racing circuit for a Motorsport UK event to represent F1 in Schools to 40 primary school attendees.

Lee Kilgour said:

"They shared their amazing experiences and enthusiasm and we are glad to have been part of that important event too,"

The Avidity team received an extra compliment - they were invited to the Nissan factory at Sunderland where the car manufacturer announced plans for its £1bn electric vehicle gigafactory. The students met Nissan VIPs who raced the team's car on the track.

The UTC now has a new F1 display at the college, with extra digital equipment, low-speed and flow visualisation wind tunnels and track reaction-testing. It also features illuminated graphics created by Avidity's racing partners Blue Raptor Signs.

Sponsors of the UTC F1 in Schools teams so far are bearings company IGUS UK, Additive X, Nissan, Carter bearings, BDC Machinery and Scarborough Business Ambassadors.

Sponsors of F1 in Schools which was set up 21 years ago include F1, Zoom and Aramco. It was created by Andrew Denford who runs an engineering facility in West Yorkshire.