Date:           11th March 2011
Venue:         EGO-10 & Plaza, UL

The Dept of Design and Manufacturing Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering are hosting the Formula One for Schools Mid West Regional Final on 11th March 2011 in EGO-10 (beside Main Reception, Plaza Area, UL).  This is an exciting event, run by the Irish Computer Society.  The competition will involve 21 teams consisting of transition year students.  The teams will be competing for a place in the Formula One National and World Finals of the competition.

Formula One in Schools is a unique technology challenge that enables second-level student's use the latest technologies to design and race a scale model F1 car.  This will be the second time the University of Limerick will host the regional finals. 

Working in teams of between 3 and 6, each team prepares a business plan and designs a 1/20 scale Formula One car which is powered by CO2.  Aerodynamics are analysed in a virtual reality wind tunnel using Computational Fluid Dynamics Software. Using 3D Computer Aided Manufacturing software, the team designs the car body which is then machined in a manufacturing centre such as the Department of Design and Manufacturing Technology at the University of Limerick. The cars, measuring about 250mm and made of balsa wood, can reach scale speeds of 350km/h.  The cars are raced on a special track and are timed electronically as in a real race.

Teams are judged on car speed, as well as supporting evidence of their design, verbal presentation and display stand.

An added attraction on the day will be a pit stop display and challenge with an authentic Formula One car and Engineer.  The car will be on display in the Plaza of UL during the event.

All the participating teams have been perfecting their designs, portfolios and presentation skills since last September and a busy day is expected in EGO10. Visit www.f1inschools.ie for more information.