10 November 2013 Von: F1 in Schools

It was ‘Howdy Y’all for over 200 students, representing 22 countries, at the opening day of the F1 in Schools™ World Finals 2013.

Taking place this coming week in Austin, Texas, the students were welcomed to the State Capital by Representative Paul Workman on an exclusive visit to the State Capitol Building in the city. Tomorrow the competition starts on the track with 38 teams racing for the World Champions title and the prestigious Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy.

The unique and historic setting of the Texas State Capitol Building was a fitting location for the F1 in Schools to start what promises to be the biggest, most competitive and possibly fastest F1 in Schools World Finals since the first one over nine years ago.

Andrew Denford, Chairman and Founder, F1 in Schools, said of the opening day of the event “It’s the biggest World Finals we’ve staged and we’re off to a flying start with the teams having a very special day at the State Capitol Building.  Addressing the students in the Texas House Chamber was a memorable highlight for me, particularly when the students unanimously voted that F1 in Schools was a the coolest  Schools challenge in the World”.

After an exclusive tour of the State Capitol Building the teams enjoyed a Texan barbecue on the lawns outside the building, the first chance for the students to meet their racing rivals. They then returned to their base for the week, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin, where they put in the final preparations before the green flag falls for the start of the World Finals action tomorrow morning.  

The F1 in Schools World Finals take place from 8th to 13th November in Austin, Texas. Each team of between three and six students brings together their work to present to a judging panel with a verbal and written presentation to support their model car, which is raced on a specially designed test track. At the World Finals each team will bring along a pit display, three identical cars and portfolio, as well as having prepared a presentation for the judges.  The cars race on a 20 metre track, with the cars covering the distance in just over one second , a speed barrier which is yet to be broken by any student team since it was set by Team FUGA from Northern Ireland at the 2007 World Finals at 1.020 seconds.

The F1 in Schools World Finals take place with the assistance of a host of sponsors and supporters including Circuit of The Americas, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, City University London, Autodesk and Austin Independent Schools District.