Students lifted the bonnet on the world-class formula racing car they’ll unleash on Silverstone’s world-famous track for Formula Student 2018.
Designed and built from scratch, the BR-19 will go full throttle against machines from 25 countries as they’re put to the test on endurance, acceleration and speed.
Besides putting the cars through their paces, organisers IMechE, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, will rate students on design, costing and business pitch.
After falling behind schedule because of exams, Brunel Racing’s Sofie Froberg Karlsen says the team is now back on track and has potential to meet its goals and do really well.
“We are very excited,” said Sofie, the team’s business brain. “But of course, there are aspects we are a bit nervous about. Most of the team has never been involved before, which is making some of us nervous, but in a good way.”
Staged at the home of British Grand Prix in Northamptonshire, this year’s tournament, held from 11-15 July, is the contest’s 20th anniversary. And to fine-tune BR-19 and get it race-ready, the 24-strong team is putting in some long hours in the workshop. They’re also entering into the 2nd year of a partnership with Bosch UK, which has come in handy with the electronics.
After last year’s 11th place finish, this year’s goal is a top 5 UK team finish and a top 10 overall finish at Silverstone. The car is an evolution of 2017’s successful entry, with a bigger focus on aerodynamics.
“It’s been difficult and testing at times,” said Brunel team leader Hannah Brunskill. “But the most important thing I’ve learnt is teamwork and perseverance in the face of adverse conditions.”
This year, more than 3000 students will compete, with 128 teams from countries including the US, Eygpt, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malta and Mexico. And from Sunday, Brunel is putting up the Australian team, who’ll fine-tune their motor alongside Brunel Racing. Dozens of Formula Student competitors have progressed to Formula 1, with hundreds now working at the world’s largest automotive firms helping design and engineer the cars of tomorrow.
Brunel Racing Team are:
Aidan Sainsbury, 21, Mechanical Engineering from Taunton, Somerset
Callum Young, 22, Motorsport Engineering from Orpington
Carlos Hermosin Acasuso, 22, Motorsport Engineering from Seville, Spain
Catarina Trindade Baldaia, 18, Aerospace Engineering from Porto, Portugal
Christopher Hammond, 26, Electrical Engineering from Canterbury
Daniel Ajetunmobi, Mechanical Engineering
Demian Wieland, 29, Mechanical Engineering from Sligo, Ireland
Dylan Tuck, 22, Aerospace Engineering from Westbury, Wiltshire
Edward Schroeder, 24, Fluid Mechanics Research from Moscow, Russia
Francis Deterville, 22, Mechanical Engineering from Ulverston, Cumbria
Georgina Contreras-Keenan, 19, Mechanical Engineering, from Grays
Hannah Brunskill, 23, Mechanical Engineering from North Yorkshire
Harold Richardson, 23, Mechanical Engineering from Southampton
Ion Frantuz, 24, Electrical Engineering from Chisinau, Moldova
Jack Chamberlain, 22, Motorsport Engineering from Reading
Joshua Dyson
Luke Barton, 20, Mechanical Engineering from Dorchester, Dorset
Matthew McCarthy, 23, Aerospace Engineering from Orpington
Michael Kapnistos, 22, Mechanical Engineering from Athens, Greece
Samuel Goodwin, 23, Motorsport Engineering from Essex
Samuel Nash, 23, Mechanical Engineering from Somerset
Sofie Froberg Karlsen, 21, Business Management Marketing from Stockholm, Sweden
Thomas Constance, 22, Motorsport Engineering from Fareham
William Jeans, 23, Electrical Engineering from London
Follow Brunel Racing’s progress on Twitter @brunelracing ; Facebook brunelracing and Instagram: @brunelracing
Reported by:
Hayley Jarvis,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268176
hayley.jarvis@brunel.ac.uk