Five Skelmersdale students drive their project to a national final – and want to beat the rest in the Schools World Finals in Texas

Feb 21 2013 Skelmersdale Advertiser

FIVE students from Skelmersdale’s Our Lady Queen of the Peace College have qualified for the F1 in Schools UK national finals.

Niall Hogan, Robert Brady, Calvin Chiu, Rory Fulton and James Fowler, all of Year 10, who compete under the name of Kinetic F1, have together designed and developed a model car using the Engineering CAD programme, and they have then subsequently raced it at a competitive level.

In addition to manufacturing the vehicle, the competition has required them also to design their own unique F1 brand, creating everything from clothing, to their display stand at events.

F1 in Schools states that it provides “an exciting yet challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of Formula One” and that its main objective is to “help change perceptions of engineering, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology.”

The competition has so far seen the team race at the North West regional final at Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood, and if they are successful at the UK finals, which occur at the Excel Centre in London on March 15, the team will travel to Austin, Texas to represent the United Kingdom at the F1 in Schools World Finals, an event held at the prestigious US F1 Grand Prix course.

Christopher Smith, of the college, said success in London would be a ‘huge boost’ for the school. Our Lady Queen of the Peace specialises in engineering, and classes cover all aspects of the subject from designing to marketing.

The F1 in Schools challenge has provided the students with an excellent opportunity to exhibit the whole gamut of their learning.

While focusing principally on engineering, the challenge requires also an understanding of the business element in Formula 1, and Kinetic F1 are expected to themselves attain sponsorships which will assist them financially throughout the competition.

Turtle Wax – specialists in cosmetic car products – have backed the team from the beginning and since reaching the the UK finals other sponsorships have begun to accrue, but Mr Smith stressed that more backers are required if they are to reach the World Finals as they will be racing against some of the UK’s best teams.

He went on to state that Kinetic 1 are confident about their chances and are enjoying this unique experience.