From 5th to 8th July, Matthew Elmore, Alex Hawkings, Alexander Strange and Jordan Turner, students at Tiffin School, benefited from a unique hands-on learning experience at Oxford Brookes University. This popular four-day residential programme was organised by The Smallpeice Trust in partnership with Oxford Brookes University.

Working alongside engineers, the thirty-five students gained a practical insight into the engineering principles, materials and technologies that shape the cutting edge of world professional motorsport. The 14 and 15 year olds took part in theoretical, practical and hands-on workshops which helped them to develop a better understanding of engine performance, traction, chassis dynamics and aerodynamics. Students also took part in Computer Aided Design (CAD) sessions to prototype manufacture and test race car components.

An industrial visit to Prodrive gave students the opportunity to see for themselves what goes on behind the scenes at a major motorsports technology business. The social aspect of the course included a quiz night, film evening and a chance to get behind the wheel at go-karting. On the final night, The Smallpeice Trust hosted a conference style dinner, where students and supervisors had the opportunity to socialise and share their experiences of the week.

Claire Fisher, Marketing Officer for The Smallpeice Trust commented “This course has been oversubscribed within a week of it being launched. It is encouraging to see so many budding young engineers who wish to further their understanding of this fast-moving subject. We hope this introduction will encourage them to consider a future career in this industry.”

Oxford Brookes University is internationally renowned for Motorsport Engineering education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The course takes place at the University’s Motorsport Engineering Centre which provides state-of-the-art teaching, research and testing facilities. Keith Newman spokesperson for the University adds “It is a pleasure to give such motivated young people access to our expertise and facilities; they have taken the opportunity to understand the challenges and rewards of a career in Engineering.”