Future engineers rev up for competition

Tony Blair has backed the Formula One competition

Students from two Welsh schools have battled it out to become the Formula One champions of the future.

Twenty one teams arrived in London to race their miniature cars in the national final of the F1 Team in Schools Design Challenge.

It has taught the children a lot about engineering, team working and public speaking

Gwyn Dryhurst-Dodd Denbigh High School headteacher

The competition was set up to address the shortage of qualified engineers in the UK and to encourage students into the profession.

Teenagers from Denbigh High School in Denbighshire and Treorchy High in Rhondda Cynon Taf passed vigorous tests to make it to the final stages.

The Denbigh students failed to make the winners podium but they produced the third fastest car.

The pupils taking part were 16 and 17-year-olds who are studying design technology at AS or A level.

Each school designed a Formula One car roughly 30 centimetres long which were raced against each other.

The challenge also contributes to the National Curriculum and GCSE and coursework skills

Andrew Denford competition sponsor

During the first stages of the competition, the up and coming engineers were judged on the speed of their car, a power point presentation and a portfolio of their work.

Headteacher at Denbigh High School Gwyn Dryhurst-Dodd said the team of five boys and a girl worked extremely hard on the task.

"The children had to build and design a formula one car.

"It has taught the children a lot about engineering, team working and public speaking.

Engineering shortfall

"They had an excellent day, they enjoyed themselves and it was a good competition," he said.

It is estimated that the UK needs 35,000 new engineers a year, currently it is producing 10,000.

Andrew Denford from Denford Ltd - one of the events sponsors said the shortfall needs to be addressed.

"Formula One in schools is about improving the image of engineering for students, and encouraging them to consider a career in the industry.

"The challenge also contributes to the National Curriculum and GCSE and coursework skills," he said.

The final took place at Olympia, London.

The winning team received VIP tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next year.