Hurricane Racing from Marist College are F1 in Schools National Champions

Hurricane Racing from Marist College Athlone will be heading to the F1 in Schools World Final in Austin Texas. At the National Finals held in the RDS, their car “Blue Lightning” stole the show, setting the fastest time of the day by completing the 20 metre track in 1.143 seconds. They not only won fastest car, they also won the trophy for best use of CAD and ICT.

This international competition, which is run in Ireland by the Irish Computer Society (ICS), challenges secondary school students to design, build and race model Formula 1 cars powered by compressed air canisters.

The team have been working tirelessly since they won the regional final on the 25th April, designing multiple base models for their car. They worked closely with the Applied Polymers Technology (APT) in AIT, who allowed them to use their 3D printer. They have also worked with Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), who allowed them to use their CNC Machine.

This competition requires teams to plan, design and perform just like an F1 team. All teams have to have a professional pit display setup, team uniforms displaying their team logo and sponsor logos and an ongoing social media campaign. They also have to fundraise all money and obtain resources through sponsorship from business and collaborations. The cars are powered by a C02 gas cannister and propelled down a 20 metre trace against other teams. Their car “Blue Lightning” as well as being the fastest car on the day had many innovative design features such as a two bearing wheel system supplied by Boca Bearings in Florida and wheels made with GP plus a material supplied by APT.

The team will now represent Ireland in the F1 in Schools World Finals in Austin, Texas, later this year. The team would like to thank everyone who has sponsored and supported them thus far, including, Midland Sound Equipment, Buckley Cycles, Athlone Extrusions, Shannon Orthodontics, and H&C Autocentre. Also special mentions too Michael Moore Mercedes, and Ei Electronics, who have been key sponsors and crucial to their success.

The team now need to raise over €30,000 to get them to Texas. If you would like to support Hurricane Racing in their pursuit of the ultimate goal of World Champions, you can contact them at maristhurricanes@gmail.com or via their webiste at www.hurricaneracing.ie.