IMechE Formula Student

Find out more about Europe's most established educational motorsport competition.

Backed by industry and high-profile engineers such Patron, Ross Brawn OBE, the competition aims to develop enterprising and innovative young engineers and encourage more young people to take up a career in engineering.

The format of the event is such that it provides an ideal opportunity for the students to test, demonstrate and improve their capabilities to deliver a complex and integrated product in the demanding environment of a motorsport competition.

The project usually forms part of a degree-level project and is viewed by the motorsport industry as the standard for engineering graduates to meet, transitioning them from university to the workplace. It is a kite-mark for real-world engineering experience.

 

What's involved in the IMechE Formula Student Competition?

Your team is tasked to produce a prototype for a single-seat race car for autocross or sprint racing, and present it to a hypothetical manufacturing firm. The car must be low in cost, easy to maintain, and reliable, with high performance in terms of its acceleration, braking, and handling qualities. During the competition, your team must demonstrate the logic behind your proposal and must be able to demonstrate that it can support a viable business model for both parties.

Each team goes through a rigorous testing process.Static Events:

  • Design, Cost and Sustainability, and Business Presentation Judging
  • Technical and Safety Scrutineering
  • Tilt Test
  • Brake and Noise Test

Dynamic Events:

  • Skid Pad (Figure of 8)
  • Sprint
  • Acceleration
  • Endurance 
  • Fuel Economy

 Teams are judged by experienced industry specialists.