GET IN GEAR FOR THE FORMULA SCHOOLS CHALLENGE

Almost 1,000 students from 62 schools will be aiming for pole position when they race their radio-controlled cars in the fifth annual 'Formula Schools' competition on Friday 14 June 2002 at Silverstone Racing Circuit.

The challenge, supported by the Learning and Skills Council, does far more than allowing budding Schumachers to test their metal on the track. It also encourages students throughout England to develop their engineering skills by designing, building and racing their own radio-controlled vehicles.

Bryan Sanderson, Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council, said:
"This unique scheme uses motorsport as a means of improving skills in management and marketing as well as engineering. It was launched 5 years ago to open students eyes to the interesting and rewarding world of performance engineering.

"Motorsport is a major contributor to the country's economy and exports, with an annual turnover of £4.6 billion. Motorsport engineering contributes £2.9 billion and motorsport services a further £1.7 billion. The Learning and Skills Council supports Formula Schools to help address the 'skills gap' in engineering. Only 15% of employees in the motorsport industry are currently aged between 16 to 24.

"There are pressing reasons for employers to take up the readily available help on offer to encourage young people to enter engineering. Government research shows that, by the end of the decade, there will be urgent shortages of engineering staff at managerial and technician levels."

The Formula Schools initiative encourages schools to work with local technology-based companies to raise the profile of engineering and encourage more young people to embark on an engineering career.

Rob Austin, Formula Schools Co-Ordinator said:
"The growth and depth of the Formula Schools continues apace this year. The scheme started in Oxfordshire in 1998 and is now a leading national schools engineering scheme with 63 centres from Sheffield to Kent taking part.

"Formula Schools is a tour-de-force for kick starting and then maintaining a credible engineering experience both within and outside the curriculum. Alongside traditional engineering skills and knowledge it introduces students to the worlds of opto-electronics, systems engineering and composite materials at a standard never normally associated with this age and stage.

"Winners of each category will receive a range of prizes from engineering equipment to race tickets and the overall race winner will take part in a grand prix karting event. But the biggest reward is winning after working for months to perfect a car and team that has the ability to perform reliably and impress the judges from the world of motorsport engineering."

· Formula Schools is endorsed by Jackie Stewart (won 27 Formula One races and 3 world driving titles from 1965-73).

· Outline of the race day programme:
9.30 - 10.45 practice and judging
10.45 - 13.30 12 heats, 10 cars in each heat
14.00 - 14.30 Grand Prix, 12 finalists
14.40 - 15 00 Prize giving

Prize Title Prize
Overall Grand Prix Karting
Web Site IT Equipment Vouchers
Driving Silverstone Driving Experience
Slalom Subscription to Autosport
Sprint Subscription to Autosport
Fastest Lap Subscription to Autosport

Prize Title Prize - rookie Prize - expert
Engineering Engineering Equipment Engineering Equipment
Body and Aerodynamics ASCAR Oval Race Meeting ASCAR Oval Race Meeting
Teamwork tbc tbc