University Race Team Aims To Perfect A Winning Formula.
By Sue Lynn for UWRacing News, Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Students get to see their Formula 3 racing car in action on a runway as it gets its first test drive at RAF Cosford.
The University of Wolverhampton is the only university taking part in this years Formula 3.
Professional Driver for UWRacing, Shane Kelly says “the only option is win!”
A group of engineering students have been putting their formula 3 racing car through its paces on the runway at RAF Cosford. It has taken four months of hard work rebuilding the 2008 Dallara Formula 3 car, that can achieve 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 160mph, ready for the start of the racing season next month.
The University of Wolverhampton Race Team (UWR) had an early morning start at the military airfield on a cold, cloudy but dry morning. Weather conditions were not their main concern; this was about achieving the best performance of a car about to compete.
The team, made up of 12 engineering students, were able to send the car out onto the runway three times. Each time it returned to the team to have data recorded, to be checked over and assessed for any mechanical or electrical changes. Professional driver, Shane Kelly who is also a mentor for the UWR team, drives the car. He said, “During the visit we were able to test the car and the engine and help get the students up to speed as to what to expect when it comes back in.”
RAF Cosford was the chosen location due to the close link with the university along with its engineering connection and expertise. It also tied in with the launch of this year’s RAF Cosford Air Show, with it’s theme of Speed, where the Formula 3 car will be on display for all to see.
It has been a busy week for the UWR team, following the successful test drive on the runway it is back to base, at the Telford Campus workshop, to assess the results and modify and update the data from the test drive to assist the engineers and improve the car’s performance further. Under the guidance of Shane Kelly and professional motorsport engineer Matt Fenton, the car was also stripped down and thoroughly checked by the students for any loose materials and leaks.
The students are the only ones from a university taking part in this season’s MSV Formula 3 Cup competition. The car will be put through its paces in 17 rounds at world famous tracks including Brands hatch, Silverstone and Donnington. For some students this will be their first ever experience of being trackside.
Last year the university entered the Monoposto Championship with its own Formula Renault car, achieving two victories and six places on the podium. When asked about hopes and aspirations for this car this year, Shane Kelly said, “the only option is win, we never think any less, we run a professional outfit and we focus to win.”
Professional Driver and mentor, Shane Kelly meets RAF Personnel
On Friday the team headed to Silverstone to test drive the car on the circuit. Team principal and principle lecturer in Motorsport at the University of Wolverhampton, Dave Tucker summed it up, "an excellent first test with a new car and fledgling team, we made progress each session yielding our fastest time on the last session of the day, with a lap time that was 0.5s faster than our target time. Overall we couldn't have asked for a better initial test."
This has been an exciting few months for the students. It has been described as twelve students, four months and one car. Third year student, Nathan Tupper said, “It has been pretty stressful at times, working long hours doing the degree and this extra curricular activity.” The engineering students are being taught how to run a car professionally with the institute investing £12 million in its engineering facilities in Telford. When they took ownership of the car it was stripped right back and rebuilt by the students at the purpose built workshop on campus. As well as allowing them to take on projects such as the car, the investment will add new features to the site including a wind tunnel, engine test facilities, 3D printing and laboratories.
Mentor Shane Kelly said “to get work in the industry they need to be good, have experience and able to build a car from scratch. These skills will help makes the students very employable.” Nathan Tupper hopes that his degree and experience with the Formula 3 team will help him achieve his goal of working with NASCAR America or a chance to work for Formula 1.
The UWR team’s first race is at Donnington Park on 23rd April. More information can be found on their Facebook page – University of Wolverhampton Race Team. The RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 is on 19th June and more details are on Facebook at RAF Cosford Air Show (Official).