Oxford Team reaches Formula 1 in Schools National Final
20 Dec 07
‘Hippos Strike Back,’ a team of 11-13 year olds from St Gregory the Great School in Cowley have reached the National Finals of the Formula 1 in Schools competition, in which school students design their own model Formula 1 car powered by carbon dioxide.
The competition introduces the teams to all the multi-faceted challenges of modern production engineering. Teams not only design and manufacture their own racing vehicles but also provide display stands and portfolios, make presentations to the judges, find sponsorship and develop merchandise and marketing material.The ‘Hippos’ were amongst 21 teams competing at the London and South-East regional competition at Rainham in Essex on 14 December across three age categories: 11-13, 14-16 and 16+. The Hippos won a total of three awards: Fastest Car in Class, Best Team in Class and Best Team in All Classes.
The 'Hippos' have been advised and supported by the University’s Department of Engineering Science, with Dr Manus Henry providing advice on experimental procedures for testing their ideas for developing the best design whilst John Hastings, Head of the Engineering Workshop, assisted in manufacturing a range of car wheels for the Hippos to test.
Commenting on the team’s success Dr Manus Henry said: ‘The staff and Hippos team at St Gregory’s have shown great dedication and resourcefulness in rising to all of the competition’s challenges. For example, they have come up with a range of product ideas for recycling the one-shot metal canisters used to provide the carbon dioxide propellant for the cars. These ideas are being presented to the supplier, who is interested in taking some of them on towards commercial products. We made some contribution towards their award for the fastest car design, but essentially the credit belongs entirely with the Hippos.'
’The 'Hippos' are now one of 31 teams who will take part in the National Finals at Autosport International 2008 in Birmingham in January. The winners of this competition will be eligible to take part in the 2009 World Finals.