Local businesses are throwing their support behind a team of Aberdeen students preparing to vie for pole position on a world famous race track next year.
A 22-strong group of engineering students from the University of Aberdeen will take part in the International Formula Student competition at Silverstone in July 2011.
The annual competition challenges entrants to build from scratch — and then race — a single seat formula style car.
This is the third year the Aberdeen team — known as TAU Racing — have competed in the contest which annually attracts around 100 teams from universities across the globe.
Last year they raised a total of £14K in sponsorship from companies in support of their venture.
This year, the team are once again calling on local businesses to back them in their bid for triumph on the race track.
The team have already received sponsorship and donation of equipment from a number of organisations.
ADIL has acted as the main sponsor of the TAU Racing team since its inception and will do so once more this year, having donated funds to help finance the creation of the car, entrance to the race and the team’s costs to attend.
Nexen has given sponsorship and Grampian Fasteners has provided free components and tools for the development of the car in excess of £1K.
Shirlaws Motorcylces has supplied a heavily discounted motorcycle which the team are stripping for its engine and electrical systems.
Scots Bearings are providing the team with free bearings for their vehicle and John Clark has donated vehicles to transport the team to the race next July.
Daniel Ahrens, Project Manager of TAU Racing, who is in his fifth year of a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University said: “The International Formula Student competition is a fantastic opportunity for engineering students from across academic years to work together and apply the knowledge we are gaining in our degrees to a real life scenario.
“The competition is a real test for us all as individuals, and challenges our teamwork, timekeeping, and management skills with a view to equipping us with those attributes which will be beneficial in our future career paths.
“The backing from local businesses is absolutely crucial to the success of the team - without it we simply wouldn’t be able to enter the contest.
“The generous support we have received so far is absolutely phenomenal and we hope to continue to attract more sponsorship to enable us to build the best possible car to take to Silverstone.
“Historically we have fared well in the competition — ranking 27th overall last year. We’ve already begun work on the car for next year’s race and are confident that we’ll be able to produce a design which will rival the other contenders on the track come July.”
For more information on the TAU Racing team visit http://www.tauracing.com/ or contact Daniel Aherns at tauracing@abdn.ac.uk or 07725591798.