Team Cardiff Racing
Every year, the Cardiff Racing team design, test and build a car to race in the Formula Student competition at Silverstone.
The team is made up of students from across all our engineering disciplines and years, as well as students in other courses, like journalism and computer science.
Students, Jordan and Ellie, are part of the Cardiff Racing Team. Ellie joined in her first year and later became the Volunteer Team Leader.
“There is a role for everyone at Cardiff Racing and we encourage team members to work to their strengths and interests. the team has first to final-year students with varying levels of commitment and technical knowledge.”
Jordan joined the team in his first year and started getting really involved during a third-year project module where he explored the aerodynamic optimisation of the car.
“Joining the team is an opportunity to get hands-on with mechanical engineering projects. For first-year students, it’s so useful to have access to students who’ve done your whole course already and can give you some advice on your work and what’s to come on the course.”
Develop skills to help you stand out in the job market
Mechanical engineering students begin working on the design of the car in their third year as part of the Automotive Design module, where they use computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop 3D models of the racing car.
The volunteer team builds and tests the car in preparation for the competition and leads the media, marketing, and management of the team. Students can join the team as a volunteer at any time during their course and commit as much time as they are able to.
The project is a collaborative effort between the design team and the volunteer team.
Ellie’s role as the Volunteer Team Leader is to ensure that the build sessions are on schedule and to help with any issues that might delay the progress of the team.
“I’ve picked up so many skills - from safe working practices, problem-solving and practical work to team management, such as learning how to manage people and resolve conflict. I also learned electrical skills that I wouldn’t have gained if I wasn’t part of the team – this year I wired the majority of the car!”
Jordan has supported Ellie in managing the volunteer team and was also one of the drivers at Silverstone.
“Being part of the team has helped to develop my communications and team management skills. There are lots of opportunities to apply your engineering knowledge and develop practical skills that aren’t covered in the courses.
I worked at a placement in Nissan last year and plan to work in a similar role when I graduate. Cardiff Racing and Formula Student are well-regarded when applying for placements and graduate roles.”
The Formula Student competition
Cardiff Racing provides a fantastic opportunity for students to put themselves to the test by competing against some of the greatest student engineers from across the world at the Formula Student event.
During the competition, the car must enter a series of static and dynamic events, testing the cars safety, speed, acceleration and balance. The team must also present a viable business case to a panel of judges, covering the design, cost and sustainability of the car. The competition is not won solely by the team with the fastest car, but rather by the team with the best overall package of construction, performance, and business planning.
Cardiff Racing team were the first UK winner of the Formula Student event in 2017. In 2021, the team won 1st place in the acceleration event and 2nd in the skid pad event, finishing 4th overall in the competition.
“There is a such a good buzz at Silverstone on race day. Seeing the car running for the first time and realising ‘we built that’ is the best feeling.”
Find out more about Cardiff Racing on their website and follow their social media channels for the latest team updates @cardiffacing on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and LinkedIn.
