British students were special guests at British GP

F1 IN SCHOOLS WORLD CHAMPIONS LIVE LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Parliament, royal visit and Formula One paddock treats for Plymouth students

7 July 2008 The World Champions of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, Team Pulse from Devonport High School in Plymouth, lived life in the fast lane last week, with the students enjoying three unique occasions -- being given a VIP tour of the House of Commons, meeting HRH Prince Andrew in St. James's Palace at a UK Trade and Investment event, and visiting the British Grand Prix with a tour of the BMW F1 Team garage.

The team of Plymouth students: of John Ware (16), Sam Wood (15), Andrew Lees (16) and Tom He (17) won the F1 in Schools World Championship in Malaysia earlier this year and since that time have enjoyed a high profile, with media interviews and local dignitaries visiting their school. However the highlight of their year so far came this week.

Their 'week to remember' began on Thursday morning with a tour of the House of Commons, courtesy of the school's local MP, Linda Gilroy. In the evening Pulse were to be found racing along the corridors of St. James's Palace, showing HRH Prince Andrew, Trade & Investment Minister Lord Digby Jones their winning race car and its speed.

Capping off the week, the team attended the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Team who were crowned World Champions earlier this year, were invited along to witness the atmosphere in the F1 paddock, watching Lewis Hamilton and his rivals preparing to race. The students were also given a tour of the BMW Sauber F1 team garage by the team's test driver, Christian Klien.

Speaking of their memorable week, Team manager John Ware commented, "We've had a great time over the last few days. It's been non-stop for us, but we've loved every minute of it. We're very privileged to have met so many famous people, including royalty, visiting a palace in London, and then a different sort at Silverstone -- the BMW garage was definitely a motor racing palace! We were treated like royalty there as well, so it was excellent. We're also going to visit another award-winning venue, which is the McLaren Technology Centre. We've been invited to go there next Thursday and we're really looking forward to that, especially to see the engineering department -- and hopefully to see Lewis's race winning car!"

Founder of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Andrew Denford commented, "The weekend has been a fantastic opportunity for the students to witness Formula One up close. They had unrivalled access to the teams, garages and Formula One paddock hospitality, and spent time talking to some very influential people. I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone and Silverstone for making us so welcome. It gives our students a real insight into the heights that can be achieved with an engineering education and is very inspirational."

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 compressed air 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.

-credit: alison hill