5 December 2007

John Clark Motor Group deliver major boost to student DRIVE team

Photo opportunity: 7.30 pm, Wednesday December 5,
Fulton Building (off Park Place)
University of Dundee
DRIVE team receive sponsorship from John Clark Motor Group

University of Dundee students who are building their own race car for a national competition have been given a major boost by John Clark Motor Group with a three-year sponsorship deal.

The students, mainly from Mechanical Engineering but drawn from across the University, are taking part in the Institute of Mechanical Engineers `Formula Student’ competition, which asks contestants to build, test and run a fully functioning Formula-style car.

The sponsorship deal with John Clark Motor Group will supply the Dundee team with works BMW engines to run in their car, and other support. The announcement of this new deal follows the three-year sponsorship deal the team recently announced with Michelin tyres.

Mark Wilkie, Dealer Principal at John Clark BMW in Dundee, who is co-ordinating the sponsorship deal commented, "John Clark Motor Group has been part of the community in Dundee now for 21 years, since the group was awarded the BMW franchise for the area. We now have three dealerships in the City, John Clark BMW, Dundee Audi and Autotecnic."

"Our chairman and managing director, John Clark, has long had a commitment to support education and training initiatives. It is therefore very appropriate that we support a project that could give mechanical engineering students such practical experience. We wish them well and look forward to supporting their efforts."

Dr Robert Keatch, Head of the Division of Mechanical Engineering & Mechatronics, welcomed the generous support of John Clark.

"This is a marvelous boost for the students from John Clark," said Dr Keatch. "To have local businesses supporting us in this way is tremendous."

"This project is an excellent opportunity for students to engage in the design, construction and testing of an actual racing car and further develop the skills taught to them in the Mechanical Engineering and Innovative Product Design degree programmes."

"The team was only formed last year but the project is proving extremely popular with more and more students joining in, and not just from within the Division."

"The competition also provides industry with the opportunity to foster close links with academia and helps students develop the attributes they need for future success."

Team Leader Gareth Davies, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student, said, "It is good to have students from different disciplines joining the team. This is a great project which is not only fun to take part in but also looks good on your CV and will help your career prospects."

"It is fantastic that we are getting companies like John Clark and Michelin backing our efforts, but we are still in need of other sponsorship to fulfill our task of going to Silverstone this year."

Tonight’s event will also be used for the students to show sponsors everything which has been achieved up to this point.

In the grand tradition of all racing teams the students are in need of further sponsorship to enable them to finish building the car and to travel to Silverstone. All sponsorship that the team receives will be acknowledged by logos on the car and clothing, press releases and space on the team website.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The John Clark Motor Group operates 13 dealerships from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Its franchises include Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mini, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen. One of Scotland’s top five motor groups and one of the top 200 UK private companies, the group began with the John Clark BMW franchise in 1976.

DRIVE team contact details:
e-mail: DRIVE@dundee.ac.uk
Tel: 01382 385160.
Website: www.DRIVE.dundee.ac.uk/

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk