Huddersfield students with the winning formula
Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:00:00 BST
The only UK team accepted for entry at the Formula Student Hungary 2010 event, Team HARE (Huddersfield Automotive Racing Enterprises), have seen their summer of hard work and devotion payoff as they return from Gyor, Hungary, boasting their best competitive results in six years.
Open to universities worldwide, the Formula Student competition is designed to provide students with invaluable practical experience and transferable skills - challenging them to design, build and develop a single-seat racing car which is then put to the test in a series of events.
Ever present contenders in the Formula Student competition since 1999, the University of Huddersfield's Team HARE had never enjoyed the chance to compete outside of the UK prior to FS Hungary. Following a frustrating weekend at Silverstone earlier in the year, when a loose oil cap left the team narrowly missing out on a top 20 finish, the team were determined to engineer their car to success on their European debut.
The six strong team, made up of dedicated engineering students Owen Wallbank, Ben Johansson, Scott Thompson, Chris Seavers, Andy Mitton and Romain Le-Therizien worked tirelessly all summer to ensure their 400-bhp-per-tonne machine was ready for the Hungarian competition. And it was.
One of only two cars at the event to break the 100kph speed barrier in the acceleration test, a third place finish in design and a fourth place in the combined static events secured the boys an impressive overall sixth place finish. Making their car, the HARE PFK-01, the most technically advanced and competitive car to ever come out of the Team HARE workshop.
Although the majority of last year's team have graduated, the 2010/11 team will still feature experienced Masters students Ben Johansson and Scott Thompson, who although faced with a gruelling academic schedule are already putting in the hours at the workshop, eager to build on this year's success.
"The team are so proud of what we have achieved this year. Not only were we able to represent the University of Huddersfield out in Hungary, but the UK as a whole, it's a real honour," said Scott. "We would like to thank everyone who helped us get there, particularly the sponsors, because without their help it just wouldn't happen."
Building on this year's achievements the team are determined to produce another winning car, and are already on the hunt for new sponsors to share in their successes. With another possible trip abroad on the cards 2010/11 promises to be a memorable season for Team HARE, particularly as they will be celebrating their tenth year of competitive entry in the Formula Student events.
