4 October 2010

University race team show off latest designs

Picture opportunities with the students and the cars at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday October 6th

The engineering advances made the University of Dundee's Formula Student motor racing team, DRIVE, will be on show at the city's Botanic Garden on Wednesday October 6th. The team will have both their 2009 and 2010 cars on display to show the massive improvements in the car over the year.

They will also be discussing their plans for 2011 and beyond, with a number of new developments in the offing.

This includes developing a new bio-diesel engine design for the Alternative Energy class of the Formula Student competition, which challenges students to design, build, test and race a Formula-style racing car, culminating in a test-and-racing weekend at Silverstone.

Another exciting new venture for the Dundee team is an entry in the IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers) Corporate Challenge for electric racing cars. This is being undertaken by first-year Mechanical Engineering students as part of their undergraduate coursework. Some of the students involved in this project will also be available to explain their ideas as they prepare for the event at Silverstone in April 2011.

The DRIVE team has also recently been approached by one of the top Formula Student teams in Germany with a proposal to collaborate in the manufacture of a car for the Shell Eco Marathon.

Dr Robert Keatch, Head of Mechanical Engineering at Dundee, said, "This is a great honour and a tribute to the achievements of the team over the past few years. The have gone from strength to strength and the success of their design and hard work is paying dividends in showcasing the ability and professionalism of these exceptional Mechanical engineers."

Anyone who would like to meet with the team, or feels they can offer help or assistance in any form, is invited to come along to the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday October 6th. The event starts at 6:30 pm for 7 pm.

For further information contact Alan Slade on 01382 38 51 60.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902