Engineering Students Head For Poll Position, Thanks To YABA
A team of telented engineering students from the University of Sheffield is revving up for their best performance yet at the 2012 Formula Student competition, after securing sponsorship and support through a YABA investment forum.
Held in the UK since 1998 and organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Formula Student competition challenges university students from around the world to design and build a single-seat racing car, which is then tested at the famous Silverstone Circuit.
In March 2011, two teams of engineering undergraduates from the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University presented their aspirations to take part in the 2011 event during an Investment Forum hosted by the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), hoping to secure sponsorship or practical support from YABA members. The presentation by the University of Sheffield's Marissa Bole led to a meeting with YABA guest delegate Peter Rooney, representing the South Yorkshire-based Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), a government-funded initiative that acts as a knowledge broker for the region's manufacturing industry.
Peter facilitated introductions to MAS clients in the region and, as a result, the team secured a meeting with Stauff, a high-end hosing manufacturer, which offered to become their first official national sponsor, as well as providing essential machining support. The team has also secured a second sponsorship from Sheffield-based Eldon Tools, who are manufacturing machine parts for the team.
Says the Sheffield Formula Racing team leader David Rhys: "Meeting Peter at the YABA event was brilliant as it kick-started a chain reaction of really positive things; we felt like a door opened for us."
"Companies usually come to MAS looking for advice on solving problems with manufacturing processes and production, so in one sense I was just doing my job," says Peter. "I'm keen to support future engineers and I was very impressed with their ambition and attitude. It's fortunate that I'd been invited to that particular Investment Forum by Catherine Kennedy, YABA's South Yorkshire Ambassador! I wish them all the best in the 2012 competition, and hope they do Sheffield proud again."
For further information, please see www.sheffieldformularacing.co.uk. If you can help the students with sponsorship, advice or any other support, please contact Barbara Greaves, YABA Manager, on Barbara@yaba.org.uk or 01423 810149
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- EIS Relief - Better Than Ever Before
- Fan Frames Is Streets Ahead
- Angel Member Profile - Ian Brierley
- Company Update: Little Helper
- University Commercial Evaluation Service Pilot
- Associate Member Profile - Irwin Mitchell
- Engineering Students Head For Poll Position, Thanks To YABA
- Investment Forum November 2011
- Expo Of Inspiring Science, Technology and Innovations
