26 July 2011
University students DRIVE to success
picture shows students with their car at Silverstone
The University of Dundee's student motor racing team, DRIVE, have just returned from the Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit having recorded their best ever result in the Formula Student event, which attracts competitors from all over Europe.
The Dundee team not only beat their local rivals from every other Scottish university in the Formula Student but they were seventh in the Sprint event and 20th UK team overall. The Formula Student event attracts competing teams from all over Europe.
Dr Alan Slade, of the University’s Mechanical Engineering department and DRIVE’s Academic Co-ordinator, said this was an important result for the team and a massive boost to morale.
'In our Business Plan when the team was formed we said that we would be the top team in Scotland within three years and one of the top ten teams in the UK within seven. The team have achieved their first goal and I see no reason why we cannot achieve the second,' said Dr Slade.
Team Member Graeme Allison said this year’s event had allowed the students to see where improvements can be made to realise their goals.
'We didn’t do so well in the static events in comparison to previous years but we know what we need to concentrate on for next year while just making some minor development changes to the car,' said Graeme. 'Our main aim for 2012 is a top twenty finish overall.'
Formula Student promotes careers and excellence in engineering by providing the students with a real-life exercise in design and manufacture and the business elements of automotive engineering.
Dr Robert Keatch, Head of Department for Mechanical Engineering at Dundee University emphasised the importance of the programme as an educational resource as it gives practical experience of working as a team, under pressure and to tight timescales.
'There are lots of late nights and many frustrations and challenges along the way, but the ultimate result is the development of highly talented young engineers who not only understand the theory of engineering but can also work within a practical and commercial environment dealing with suppliers, sponsors, potential customers and competitors. This skill base has lead to the top Formula 1 teams, amongst others, to visit the Dundee University pit garage at Silverstone to recruit their future engineering talent,' said Dr Keatch.
DRIVE has been set up to further the reputation of the University, and to provide its students with a unique opportunity to experience a "real world" challenge and develop the skills learnt in the lecture theatre.
The project is run by students who dedicate time outside their courses to design, build and race the Formula-style car. The ultimate aim of DRIVE is to prepare students for the challenges and problems that the real world may throw at them and to produce better educated and well rounded engineering graduates. This approach and commitment has lead to Dundee University’s Mechanical Engineering Department producing the top Scottish Team in 2011.
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Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
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