Category Archives: Latest News
OBR at Autosport International
OBR at Learn To Win 2019
OBR At Autosport International 2018
From Oxford To Birmingham
Team members with former F1, WEC & Formula E driver Karun Chandhok
January for most usually means cold weather, darker days, and adjusting to life back at work. For motorsport fans, however, January means Autosport International. This expansive event was back at the NEC, Birmingham, between Thursday 11th and Sunday 14th January 2018 and boasted over 600 of the industry’s biggest and best-known exhibitors, with the added excitement of launches for the professionals and live action for the public. This year saw the arrival of the 2018 World Rally Championship, the launch of the Ginetta LMP1, a celebration of 60 years of the British Touring Car Championship, as well as an exciting look into the world of Roborace. Oxford Brookes Racing were there in full force, promoting ECM; the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Computing here at Brookes. Many of our team members are here at OBU on one of our fantastic courses in BSc/BEng/MEng Motorsport Engineering, BSc/BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering, and BEng/MEng Automotive Engineering. This huge international event is one of main opportunities throughout the year that we have to promote the university, the courses, and of course, the team.
Prospective students from all over were able to walk around the stand, read about Oxford Brookes, talk to students and staff about Formula Student, and even have a close up look at last season’s car, Terrance. This kind of face-to-face time with prospective students is the exact kind of engagement that encouraged many of our current students to apply, making this an important weekend of networking, not only with trade professionals and those in industry, but also with young motorsport fans. As well as the opportunity to learn about Brookes, ECM, & Formula Student, visitors were also able to have a look at some other ongoing projects undertaken by the department, such as Formula Club-E, an exploration into electric motorsport development in collaboration with Dallara.
ASI is always a treat enjoyed by a number of team members, and we’d like to thank Autosport and the NEC for having us again this year. For more information about Autosport International, applying to Brookes, finding the engineering course for you, and of course, Formula Student, please visit the links below. See you in 2019!
Autosport International: http://www.autosportinternational.com/welcome
Oxford Brookes University: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/
OBU School of Engineering, Mathematics & Computing: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/ecm/
Formula Student: https://www.imeche.org/events/formula-student
Words by Sophie Jamieson
2017 World Motorsport Symposium
OBR at the WMS 2017
Over November 30th and December 1st, Oxford Brookes Racing were invited to join some of the best and brightest minds in industry at the World Motorsport Symposium held at the IMechE in Westminster, London. Over the two-day event, the team were able to attend a variety of inspiring and informative talks given by the likes of Ulrich Baretzky, Gilles Simon, Chris Aylett, Jon Iley, Willem Toet, Andy Cowell, Douglas Campling, and many other influential figures in motorsport. The symposium raised important questions surrounding the future of the sport, which is an invaluable discussion as budding engineers.
The team with Terrance on day 2 of the WMS 2017
Getting Involved
Members of the audience including students from Oxford Brookes University and University of Wolverhampton were invited to join the VIP panel for discussions in their specialist fields. Our very own Floris van Silfhout and powertrain lead Kyle Hey took the opportunity to take part in discussions from right in the hot seats.
Floris (2nd from right) engaging in discussion on the VIP panel, joined by a student from the University of Wolverhampton
(L-R) Ricardo Market Sector Director Steve Sapsford, Manager of Engine Design LMP1 for Porsche Motorsport LMP Thomas Kraemer with Oxford Brookes Racing’s powertrain lead Kyle Hey
Sharing Our Voice
Towards the end of each talk, the floor was opened up for questions and we are happy to say that Oxford Brookes Racing were definitely not shy! The team were able to aim their burning questions directly to the VIP panel and get some real, honest answers – producing some of the most colourful and dynamic discussions of the day.
Business Development Manager Joe Jones voicing his question to the panel
Media Manager Chris Shawe participating in the discussion
Representing Our University
Another important aspect of these special events is the opportunity to promote our wonderful university. We were able to share information about the excellent facilities and fantastic equipment at our disposable back in Wheatley that enable us to continue working hard on Formula Student.
Oxford Brookes University stand at the IMechE
F1 aerodynamics expert Willem Toet taking some time to chat with Joe
Terrance sitting pretty, as usual
Acknowledgements
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Race Tech Magazine and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for their hospitality and for a wonderful two days in such a prestigious environment for motorsport. The team and Terrance had an absolutely fantastic time, and we are heading back to Oxford with a boost for the Formula Student season ahead.
Words by Sophie Jamieson
Photos courtesy of Kimberley Media
OBR18 Welcomes… Corex Honeycomb!
2018 is shaping up to be a great season already, and Oxford Brookes Racing would like to formally announce our partnership with Corex Honeycomb. We’re very excited about this partnership, and would like to take this opportunity to thank Corex Honeycomb for their support. Let’s get to work!
Have a read of our official partnership announcement here:
You can also check out the Encocam website for more information, in collaboration with Corex Honeycomb.
Words by Sophie Jamieson
obr.brookes.ac.uk 