Exeter School team makes it into F1 in Schools Final for second year running
An Exeter School F1 in Schools team is in the hot-seat after winning three trophies in the Regional Final held at South Devon University Technical College, earning them a place in the National Final. This is the second year the co-educational independent school has qualified for the National Final which takes place in March.
The team called Vulcan won a place in the National Final after coming first in the Development Class as well as earning trophies for Fastest Development Class Car and Best Engineered Development Class Car.
Exeter School team Deus came a close second in the Development Class.
Chemistry teacher Dr Adrian Rowland and Head of DT Mr Martin Rose explained how sixth months of careful preparation came to fruition when the Iscar, Deus, and Vulcan F1 in Schools teams enjoyed the exciting Regional Final.
"Each team produced a pit display and portfolios showcasing their work, gave a verbal presentation to the judges, defended their car design in conference with professional engineers, and drag-raced their car against teams from other schools," said Dr Rowland.
Deus (Nick Armstrong, Alex Peacock (sadly unable to attend), Olive Harper, James Horler, Holly Cromwell, and Charlie Pullen) and Vulcan (Redmond Coleman, Dominic Reay, Oliver Tucker, Leif Hafstad, Evan Evans, and Charles Finely) fought it out in the Development Class, with Vulcan emerging the victor and winning a place in the National Final. Vulcan also won the trophies for Fastest Development Class Car and Best Engineered Development Class Car, and Deus came second in the Development class.
Iscar (Sam Mullan, Josh Grier, Henry Coleman, Fin Morgan, Joel Seaward, and Caspar Raworth) made a very brave effort in the Professional Class, but were pipped to the post by older and much more experienced teams.
Vulcan are now hard at work preparing for the National Final at Silverstone Circuit at the end of March.
"I am extremely proud of all three teams and the great commitment they have shown over the last half year," said Dr Rowland.
"Particular commendations go to the finance managers for an energetic and thorough campaign to raise sponsorship, and to the engineers for their heroic efforts to get to grips with the complex, industry-standard Autodesk Inventor design software.
"Iscar's engineers (Josh Grier and Henry Coleman) in particular made a fantastic effort to reach the standard required by the Professional class."
Entry to the competition is possible only with sponsorship, so our sincere thanks to:
Bush Hall, Dunscombe Manor Ltd, Universal Music Group, and WIT Capital Ltd, sponsors of Iscar
E-ston and Tallium, sponsors of Vulcan
Apollonia House Dental Practice Sidmouth, Mercedes Benz South West, Ottery St Mary Dental Services, Pullen & Symes opticians, the Sidmouth Design Company, and Woodley's Joinery, sponsors of Deus
Finally, our thanks once again to the Fab Lab for helping make the team kit, Exeter School's Reprographics Supervisor Rachel Currie for logo digitisation and South Devon University Technical College for help with CNC manufacture.
