Red Set Racing at the F1 in Schools World Finals 2013

All of us at SMB Bearings would like to wish Red Set Racing team the very best of luck at the 

F1 in Schools World Finals, being held in Austin, Texas this weekend.

The team, Red Set Racing, formed in August 2012 & are from Sprowston Community High School, Norwich.  Team members are: Ryan Clabon 17 (Team Manager), Will Mulhall 17 &Thomas Carver 17 

Post by Red Set Racing.

Red Set Racing won the F1 in Schools Central UK Regionals in February 2013 & then went on to win the UK Nationals in March 2013, which secured their place in the World Finals. 

Before they jetted off to take part in the competition, the team were kind enough to take the time to tell us about their progress...

"Redsetracing have been working flat out on their bid for theF1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas commencing 9^th November. The lads fly from Norwich International Airport to Austin Texas on Thursday 7^th at 09:45 to take on the other 40+ Countries competing at the F1 in schools world finals.

They have faced a number of challenges over the last 6 month to get to this stage.  Primarily the biggest hurdle is that of the new 2014 F1 in Schools Competition Regulations. Since becoming UK National Champions in March, F1 in schools have released a new set of regulations which effectively meant a complete redesign of what was a very fast car. 

RSV5 - the World Final model...

Ryan Clabon team manager said “Although we were very pleased with the RSV3, and how it performed at the National Finals, we welcomed the challenge of a complete redesign”. Tom Carver chief engineer added “we cut the rules pretty close to get the fastest car at the UK Nationals, so I have had to completely change my wheel and axel designs to ensure we don’t fall foul of the Judges at the Worlds.” Their new car the RSV5 incorporates the latest motorsport materials such as titanium and carbon fibre composites, as well as using 3D rapid prototyping to test parts before committing time to the manufacture of mould tools etc.

Secondly there is the massive challenge of raising the necessary funds to travel with two teachers and all of the equipment to the USA. The Team have engaged in a number of marketing activities including inviting potential sponsors into school, for ‘an F1 day’, complete with full size F1 simulator and even undertaking paid work for their primary sponsor KLM UK Engineering. Will Mulhall who has oversight of marketing for the team said “Yes, it has been a real challenge. We set ourselves the goal of raising £10K from mostly local firms, we have beaten that; raising over £10550.00. This enables us to travel from our local airport ‘Norwich International’ with flights booked with KLM. Seeing as KLM UK Engineering has given us and our school so much support, this was the least we could do”.

The team, ready for departure

Graham Parker the lead teacher for the team said “I am fantastically proud of what the lads have achieved, they have worked so hard, not only to raise the funding and create what is essentially, an industrial quality exhibition, but most impressively they have also lobbied the Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable along the way; getting his department to support the F1 in schools initiative. They are a real credit to the school and an example to young adults around the country that you get out of life what you are prepared to put in, marvellous stuff.” Mr Wavell the teams main mentor has been working hard alongside Ryan Clabon manufacturing a travel system which will not only safely store and transport the equipment needed in Texas, but also double-up as part of the pit display “we got inspiration at the British Grand Prix when we visited Ferrari Scudaria’s mobile HQ and we thought, hey, we should aim to create something along similar lines.”

The lads are off to conduct a final round of testing at Denford™ UK headquarters in Brighouse on Thursday and then it will be all-systems-go to pack and prepare for flights leaving on the 7^th November".

The team have arrived safely in Austin & we look forward very much to hearing how they get on in the competition today.  Our small contribution to their victory attempt is the very best & fastest bearings that we could find, as every millisecond is going to count at the World Finals!  We'll bring you more news as we have it, but in the meantime check out the team's Facebook page for updates.