Our Uxbridge College Engineering students have once again demonstrated their excellence at the F1 in Schools STEM competition, held at the University of Bath. Competing against 28 schools and independent colleges from the region, Uxbridge students secured two prestigious awards, further solidifying the college’s reputation in motorsports education.
Uxbridge College has four different F1 teams: ‘Thundercats’, our professional division; ‘Sparx’, ‘Fuchsia’, and ‘Primo Livello’, who are all our development teams.
Record-Breaking Performance
Among the standout performances, the Primo Team, composed of Level 1 Programme students, achieved an astonishing reaction time of 0.0385 seconds, the fastest recorded in the entire competition. Their incredible speed earned them the ‘Lightning Reaction Time Award’.
The ‘Judges’ Choice Award’, considered the most prestigious accolade in F1 in Schools, was also awarded to Uxbridge’s team, ‘Sparx’. This recognition was a testament to the students’ engineering innovation and outstanding development efforts. The team showcased a cutting-edge digital dashboard, designed and built using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) techniques with Denford CNC machines. Their innovative approach to streamlining the racing model impressed the judges, setting them apart from the competition.
Dedication and Hard Work
Leading up to the event, the four Uxbridge engineering teams, which included students from Level 1 Programmes, Level 3 BTEC, and T-Levels, demonstrated immense dedication and perseverance. Many of them worked tirelessly, even whilst fasting due to the event coinciding with Ramadan, staying late into the evening to refine their designs and improve their performance.
A Legacy of Success
HRUC has consistently performed exceptionally well in the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge over the years:
- 2024/25 – Lightning Reaction Time Award and Judges’ Choice Award (Regional Finals)
- 2022/23 – 2nd place in Fast Race (National Finals)
- 2021/22 – 2nd place in Design Development (Regional Finals)
On competition day, the students impressed judges not only with their technical skills but also with their ability to handle interviews and presentations. The event saw participation from esteemed institutions, including Latymer Grammar School, Upton Court Grammar School, and Dulwich College.
A Bright Future Ahead
The team remains ambitious, looking forward to competing in future rounds with hopes of reaching the international finals. With continuous support from the college leadership and the unwavering dedication of lecturers and students, Uxbridge College is well on its way to becoming a powerhouse in motorsports education.
As preparations begin for the next competition, HRUC aims to further its legacy, aspiring to become the number one institution in West London and achieve Level 6 Mechanical status for motorsports. The journey continues, and the future looks bright for Uxbridge’s Engineering students!