4 April 2008

DRIVE team take pole positions

Members of the University of Dundee DRIVE team (Dundee University Race Innovation and Vehicle Engineering) were awarded first and second place recently for their practical engineering work undertaken as part of their first year project module.

Douglas Baker-Patch (1st) and Kenny Sutherland (2nd) are both members of the DRIVE team which is aiming for success in this year’s Formula Student competition, which challenges students to build and run a Formula-style racing car.

The duo were among the first-year Mechanical Engineering students undertaking a practical training module delivered by Xm Services, Dundee, who have been giving training to first-years for the last six years.

The eleven week training course tests all aspects of the student’s skill ranging from the all important marking out and filing, to welding and using machine tools such as lathes and milling machines.

For over 10 years Xm Services has provided training to many local companies. "Our ability to offer these services, stand alone or as a package, allows us to tailor ourselves to individual needs, delivering maximum value for each and every client. Xm Services is a key engineering supplier to Michelin. This proves our capability to take projects of all sizes and budgets", said Graham Douglas, head of training at Xm Services. "As a company, our mission is to add value through cost effective solutions to help our customers realise their full potential. It is important that students have practical skills and the course for the Mechanical Engineering students at Dundee University is tailor made to their needs, in association with their lecturing staff".

"The fact that Xm Services are one of the teams sponsors in no way influenced our decision", said Graham Douglas.

"This result is excellent for the team members, and shows the high caliber of students involved with DRIVE.", said Robert Keatch, head of Mechanical Engineering. "This practical training is very important for our students as they can then better understand the problems that they will face when they become graduate engineers. Applications for places in Mechanical Engineering at Dundee are up 10% on last year, which is against the national trend, and we would like to think that some of this is due to the department’s involvement with the Formula Student competition".

The Formula Student competition is organised by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers to encourage students to develop and demonstrate their skills, enthusiasm, ingenuity and commitment to engineering excellence in designing, building and running a Formula-style racing car. The final of this year’s competition will be held at Silverstone in July, when teams must put their cars through a demanding series of performance checks.

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.

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 at http://www.DRIVE.dundee.ac.uk/.

Further information can be obtained by emailing DRIVE@dundee.ac.uk.

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