Star-studded week for F1 in Schools winners 03 Jul 2008
The 2008 F1 in Schools world champions, Team Pulse from the UK’s Devonport High School for Boys, will be rubbing shoulders with royalty, VIPs, government personnel and Formula One drivers this week, as their international success brings them a host of prestigious, ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities.
Their week begins on Thursday with an invitation to tour the House of Commons in London. In the evening Pulse have a royal appointment at nearby St. James’s Palace, where the victorious team of four boys: John Ware, 16, Samuel Wood, 15, Andrew Lees, 16 and Thomas Simpson, 17, will be guests at a UK Trade and Investment reception.
Its VIP guest list will include His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Rt. Hon. Lord Jones of Birmingham; Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Jackie Stewart, Bernie Ecclestone and Damon Hill. Pulse will be demonstrating the miniature F1 car that took them to the F1 in Schools title earlier this year in Malaysia, where they fought off competition from 25 teams from 15 countries at the to lift the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship trophy and claim coveted BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.
The Pulse team will then head to Silverstone to attend the British Grand Prix. As guests of Silverstone circuit and Formula One they will have exclusive access to the inner sanctum of the F1 paddock where they will be able to rub shoulders with the stars of the sport including British heroes Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and David Coulthard.
Rounding off their insight into Formula One racing, the team will visit the McLaren Technology Centre next week, with the students being given an exclusive tour of the state-of-the-art F1 team headquarters.
“We have a very exciting week ahead, with all of these engagements giving us unique experiences that would never have happened if we hadn’t taken part in the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge,” said John Ware, Pulse’s team manager. “Our visit to Malaysia for the world championships was a fantastic trip and these events are the icing on the cake. We’re being given a real insight into Formula One this week and we know how fortunate we are, as we’re the envy of all our friends!”
F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2 cylinders. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students to learn about science, maths, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.
For further information on the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge visit www.f1inschools.co.uk
