Issued: 13 December 2002
Carnoustie And Brechin Win Jaguar School Challenge
Following their victory at today's (Friday) Scottish final two Angus teams will be taking their place on the starting line at the UK final of the Jaguar F1 in Schools Challenge.
The teams from Carnoustie and Brechin High schools beat off opposition from 11 other teams competing in the first Scottish Final, to claim their places in London in January.
The teams were delighted that their computer designed F1 cars were fast enough to beat off the competition. The Carnoustie car, designed by race team Michael Branney, Douglas Lang and Maher Alsaigh, clocked up the best race time while the Brechin team, of Karyn McMurray, Kate Christie, Mark Smith and David Mearns, earned their place with Best Engineered Car.
Students across the UK have been designing and manufacturing, albeit as basic models, what they hope will be the fastest F1 car using the latest CAD software and CAM equipment. All of their winning cars from the regional finals will be put to the test on 8 January at the UK final at Olympia in London.
In addition to the excitement and novelty of the challenge, the competition has the broader aim of interesting young people in the many facets of the car industry.
Jack Gibb, Angus Council’s Economic Development Convener said it had been an exciting day. "Today, industry in partnership with education, offered a showcase for budding young engineering students, with computer design turning into reality," commented Cllr Gibb. "Imaginative competitions like the Jaguar F1 in Schools play a vital role in encouraging young people to look seriously at the breadth and scope of careers available in the manufacturing industry of the 21st century.
"Angus, with its engineering excellence reputation earned through its successful companies, its skilled people and its innovative training and education sector, takes its own place in that endeavour, as host for this - the first ever Scottish final of the national schools contest."
Ralph Harrison, lifelong learning manager at Scottish Enterprise Tayside, said: "This has been an excellent competition. We have been delighted with the standard of entry and the enthusiasm of the pupils involved. We are very much looking forward to an even bigger number of entries next year."
Jim Thomson of Angus Training Group (ATG), the designated test centre for Scotland to produce the model cars, said ATG was delighted to have the high profile project in Scotland for the first time. " The enthusiasm of the participating pupils and teachers from Angus schools has been excellent and we look forward to many more entrants in the Scottish Regional final next year."
Hamish Clark, AKA Duncan in 'Monarch of the Glen', was in charge of the chequered flag at the event in Carnoustie and took his position on the grid for the VIP race alongside representatives of sponsors Jaguar cars, Denford, BAE SYSTEMS, EMTA, Angus Council, Scottish Enterprise Tayside (SET), Angus Training Group, GlaxoSmithKline, Michelin and Rossleigh.
The two winning teams will take their place alongside the other regional winners at the UK final in London in January where they will be vying for the national title and the coveted prize of tickets for the British Grand Prix.
Any school wishing to take part in this exciting competition next year should contact Angus Training Group on 01241 873299.