12 November 2014 Von: Holger Reim, Siemens AG

Roaring engines, smoking pipes and a great deal of adrenaline up to the finishing line: While the motor sports fans are anxiously anticipating the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, another captivating race is taking place near the Yas Marina Circuit: The Miniature Formula 1 Car World Championships. Among the competitors: The "Javelin Racing" team of the Marie-Therese secondary school (Gymnasium) in Erlangen. The students used the Siemens PLM software to design their race car. Following the national championships, they are now competing for the World Champion title in Abu Dhabi.

The five students from the Physics practical seminar at the Siemens partner school
in Erlangen have been preparing for the finals for several weeks now, refining their race car and carrying out extensive testing. Up to now there are no photos of the sporty little car for good reason: After all, the team wants to surprise its competitors. At the World Championships the team will have to race against competitors from more than 40 different countries. The students from Erlangen took a sensational 3rd place at the German Championships in May 2014 – including tickets for the World Championships. But this is nowhere near all: The team also won the coveted "Best Portfolio" and "Best Teambox" special awards.

Siemens Solid Edge provides the basis for success

For the development of their miniature race car the students followed the example of the big teams and used powerful design software. Just like last year, they relied heavily on the "Solid Edge ST6" PLM software which Siemens makes available to its partner school free of charge. Once the digital model has been brought to perfection on the computer, the miniature runabout is manufactured from a balsa wood block and painted in a professional manner.

"For us, being able to take part in the 'Formula 1 in Schools' competition is far more than just a seminar", explains Michael Graf, one of the developers in the young Javelin racing team. "Thanks to the fascination of the races and the technical challenge it has also become a hobby which fires the enthusiasm of us all." His colleague and team manager Pauline Thierauf emphasizes the excellent cooperation with the team's
industrial partners – and especially Siemens as a premium sponsor. After all: "'F1 in
Schools' is a hobby, passion and training for us all at once. In order to be successful in this competition, we not only need time and great commitment, but also material and financial support." In addition to providing the software free of charge, Siemens supported the South-East Regional Championships 2014 in which teams from Saxony, Thuringia, Austria and Italy took part for the first time.

Major challenge in all disciplines

But it's not the fastest car that wins this special race – the team has to provide top performance in all disciplines: In addition to technology, all other areas of responsibility are considered by the jury within the scope of the competition. Each team is requested to set up a business plan, create a team web site and win sponsors. They have to design their own trade fair stand, create their own portfolio and present a consistent design concept. 'Formula 1 in Schools' aims to spark the interest of the younger generation in technology and to encourage team spirit. The participants are also responsible for marketing and financing. The event focuses on promoting technical knowledge – in addition to individual responsibility, team spirit, organizational talent and self-initiative. Now the time has come to keep our fingers crossed that all goes well for the students from Erlangen and that they finally manage to race their way to one of the coveted places on the winners' rostrum when no less than Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone presents the World Champion's crown to the successful winner during the evening gala on November 19.