Engineering Project Day, 30th April 2019; 
TEC-0419-Engineering Project Day

Our team

Join a successful team of racing car designers and engineers while you study, and enter the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ international Formula Student Challenge.

Boasting a 15-year legacy in the Formula Student competition, the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has a deeply-rooted history in motorsport engineering through its dedicated team, UPRacing. 

Initially, the team made its mark with a traditional Internal Combustion vehicle, demonstrating its prowess not only in the UK but also on the international stage in Spain. Today, in tune with the rapidly evolving world of sustainable technologies, the university's commitment to this competitive arena has diversified into two distinctive teams - UPRacing Electric and UPRacing Alternative Fuel. 

As part of the team,  students pick up hands-on experience and skills at the forefront of these emerging, environmentally-friendly technologies, using university-provided lab space, academic backing, and access to the software and manufacturing facilities needed to produce competitive entries into the global competition. 

Our record is impressive, with UK wins under our belt and several team alumni being invited to join the judging panel. We can boast podium positions at Silverstone, perfect scores in the business and cost events, and commendations for our teams’ design achievements.

Our recent record

In 2022, UPRacing Electric finished with another strong result, scoring above 290 points and finishing 6th in the concept class, holding on to the title of top uk EV in concept class for a fourth year running!

UPRacing combustion also scored over 250 points, placing 8th, and both teams finished joint 3rd in the design event.

Previously:

  • 2021: UPRacing Electric achieves 308 points, finishing 5th overall and top EV in Concept Class. Last year’s team leader, Oliver Plucknett, joins the UK Formula Student judging panel
  • 2020: UPRacing Electric came 3rd place, the highest position for an electric vehicle in the competition, and achieved perfect scores in the Business Plan and Cost and Manufacturing presentations
  • 2019: UK winners in the concept class section 
  • 2018: UPRacing Electric founded, finishing in 2nd place for the Cost & Manufacturing event in first year of entry
  • 2017: UPRacing Combustion features in the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcase of ‘The Next Generation of Motorsport Exhibition’

UPRE reveals the UPR-E-03

UPRacing Electric's design entry into the Formula Student UK virtual 2020 competition.

UPRE 
Proudly Presents

the UPR-E-03

[rendered 3D footage of UPR-E-03 vehicle, upbeat music]

UP Racing Electric

Jack O'Connor and the Formula Student team

"I honestly don’t know where I would be without having taken part in Formula Student. If anyone asked me, I would recommend it one hundred percent, any day."

Jack O'Connor, from the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Formula Student team, shares his experience of competing and how it helped his studies. 

Read Jack's story

About Formula Student

Every year, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) runs a racing competition that culminates at Silverstone in July. This is . 

Drawing entrants from around the world, the challenge showcases university students’ ability to design, create and race cars at the prestigious home of UK motorsport. 

Participants will design, manufacture, assemble and test a new racing car for the competition, following  internationally recognised competition rules as they apply engineering knowledge and practical expertise. Another critical part of the competition is the Cost & Manufacturing and Business events which give budding engineers an opportunity to gain skills that will be directly applicable when they go into industry.

It’s an extra-curricular activity, but what you learn if you join the teams can inform your learning as you study with us. You’ll also develop valuable workplace skills in project management, collaboration, costing and creativity.

Who can join?

Most participants in the Formula Student challenge are from the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering (SENE) and the School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering (SMDE) - but UPRacing is open to any ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú student with an interest in engineering for racing, with students from multiple faculties getting involved. 

The teams are entirely run by students and currently have around 60 students involved, with that number growing every year. Spaces on the team are limited – however, there are no prerequisites for applicants. The teams value enthusiasm over experience and are open to anyone in any year of study, so make sure you look out for the teams in Freshers’ week when the team will be on campus taking applications for new members! 

The competition is a fantastic opportunity to build your interpersonal skills, communication skills, teamwork, networking and so much more
 

Oliver Plucknett, Formula Student team leader 2020

Contact us

UPRacing Formula Student Team

Anglesea Building
Anglesea Road
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú
PO1 3DJ