Budding Formula 1 engineers have tasted success in a global motor racing-based competition.
Team Aberdeen University (TAU) Racing designed and manufactured their own car to compete in the annual Institution of Mechanical Engineering Formula Student event at Silverstone.
Each of the 115 teams that entered was assessed on a number of criteria, including design and cost and a business presentation as well as acceleration and sprinting, skidding in a figure of eight and endurance.
Teams from Europe, North Africa, South America and the Middle East were all taking part in the event.
And the 50-strong team from Aberdeen finished fourth with 659.8 points out of a possible 1000, making them third of the UK teams and first in Scotland.
The event was won by a team from the University of Cardiff, with the University of Birmingham’s team coming in second and third being taken by Karlstad University of Sweden.
The successful TAU effort was spearheaded by project manager Tom Morrice.
Peter Arthur, who has now taken over that role, praised the hard work of Mr Morrice and all those involved.
“We are delighted to announce this tremendous achievement,” he said.
“Our members have contributed thousands of hours of hard work, and it paid off as this year we have managed to build one of the most reliable cars in the competition.
“We are already looking ahead and planning next year’s development to retain our place amongst the top teams in the future.
“We would like to express thanks to our sponsors, supporters and the University of Aberdeen.
“Without their generous support, we would not be able to achieve these great results.
“Special thanks go to our principal sponsor Nexen, who not only made it possible for us to develop a new powertrain package with their sponsorship, but also contributed greatly to student development with their mentoring.”
Dr Richard Neilson, from the University’s school of engineering, expressed his joy after a slow start for the team.
“It is an absolutely brilliant result.
“They were a bit down on Friday as they felt they hadn’t done so well in the static events but the dynamic events went so well.
“Everyone at the school is thrilled for them.”
