23 September 2017 Von: Engineering in Motion Ltd.

The F1 in Schools World Finals 2017 kicked off in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, with the 51 competing teams completing registration for the event and handing over the most precious cargo they have transported to Malaysia, two models of their bespoke F1 in Schools race car.
 
From 27 countries, 350 students, 100 accompanying adults, over 50 competition judges and the 12-strong F1 in Schools event team have travelled to the venue for this year’s event in the Malaysian capital, with the competition awards finale next Wednesday being held alongside the 2017 FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX.
 
Each of the team's race cars have been submitted for Scrutineering in Parc Férme conditions, akin to the procedure that the current Formula 1 teams undergo at each Grand Prix. Two identical cars produced by each team have already impressed the highly experienced scrutineers with a number of new innovations and design features never before seen in the previous 12 World Finals.

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman, F1 in Schools, said of this year’s grid of F1 in Schools teams, “It’s our biggest field of teams and even at this early stage of the 13th World Finals it’s evident that we are set for the most competitive event that we’ve held in the Challenge’s history. I’ve had a sneak preview of some of the cars that will be racing and with some of the novel designs and innovations these students have produced, I can’t wait to find out whether they can break the current World Record time of 0.916 seconds set by last year.”
The students were given their first look at the all-new next generation Official F1 in Schools Race Track, high tech digital display Start/Finish gates and the opportunity to trial the new race start triggers. Steve Oddy, Technical Director of Denford Ltd, was on hand to demonstrate the key features and capabilities of the Race System, with the new products receiving a highly positive reception. Steve said of introducing the new track to the World Finals teams, “It is gratifying to receive such resounding approval from our harshest critics – the competitors – and they have all appreciated the developments and improvements that will keep F1 in Schools offering participating schools and teams products that deliver the high standards they expect from us.”

Event preparations continue tomorrow with the 51 teams building their pit displays. Each of the teams will showcase their work with a self-designed ‘Pit’ display stand and if previous years’ World Finals are a benchmark, the 2017 grid can be expected to produce a pit lane worthy of any Formula 1 paddock.
 
F1 in Schools challenges students to create their own Formula 1 team which is commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest miniature Formula 1 Car of the Future; a 21cm long scale model built from the Official F1 in Schools model block and powered by a compressed air cylinder. At the World Finals each team brings along a pit display, their cars and a written portfolio, as well as having prepared a verbal presentation for the judges. The cars race on the Official F1 in Schools 20 metre race track, with the cars covering the distance in around one second.
 
The 2017 World Finals is being held from 24th to 27th September with three days of intense competition. After all their hard work the students will be rewarded with a trip to Sepang International Circuit on Thursday for a pit lane walk and the opportunity to attend the 2017 FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX. The event will be webcast live via the F1 in Schools YouTube channel. Check the F1 in Schools social media feeds to keep up dated with all the timings.
 
The F1 in Schools World Finals 2017 takes place with the support of a host of sponsors including Formula One Management, Denford Ltd, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Autodesk, FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission, City, University of London, UCL Engineering, Sepang International Circuit and DHL.