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FORMULA STUDENT RACING TEAM GOES TRACKSIDE WITH HELP FROM CORUS
Corus Engineering Steels has supplied the University team with two grades of steel - a case hardening quality and a high tensile alloy - to produce a number of crucial driveline components including the differential and driveshaft as well as parts of the suspension and steering system. These high quality steels are the same materials commonly used by professional race teams. Formula Student provides the next generation of automotive engineers, from leading universities across the world, with a valuable insight into the project management process of taking a racecar concept from design through fabrication and, ultimately, to its competition. The students from the mechanical engineering department of Birmingham University are determined they will improve on their impressive performance in the 2002 competition, which saw the team achieve fifth place overall for design as well as the best acceleration performance, thereby taking the honours for being the first UK team to win this dynamic part of the event. Commenting on the valuable support provided by companies like Corus, which helps the team compete, Melissa Atherton, team leader, Birmingham University said: “Don’t be fooled by the fact that this series is a student-based competition - the vehicles themselves are extremely advanced technically. Like all racecars, immense load is put on the gears and driveshaft which is why using the correct materials is essential. This is where Corus, and its supply of high quality steel and materials’ expertise, is particularly valuable to us and I am confident that it will help the team to even greater success this year. ” Corus is committed in supporting the aims of such competitions, which seek to invest in the future development of tomorrow’s professional engineers. Keith Grant, marketing manager for stockholders at Corus Engineering Steels, maintains that the practical experience gained by undergraduates taking part in Formula Student definitely improves their employment prospects upon graduation. Naturally, Corus is proud to be supporting Birmingham University for a sixth consecutive year,” said Mr Grant. “By providing the students with our support and advanced materials we are helping them to build a vehicle with the potential to compete at a premiere motorsport level. But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of being involved in the programme is that we are helping to provide students with real hands-on engineering experience in a competitive setting which will be invaluable to them after they graduate and will ultimately benefit the automotive industry.” Birmingham University is competing in a number of events across the UK and USA. The 2003 Formula Student competition will take place at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome proving ground near Leicester from 4-7 July.
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