The 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 all-girls team ‘Rapido y Furioso’, consisting of team members Katie Hurley, Ciara Kavanagh, Orlaith Kavanagh, Ciara Molloy and Eilíse Munroe will be at the starting line on the 8th, ready to go head to head with rivalling teams from the Leinster area. ‘Rapido y Furioso’ will have the opportunity to test the speed and engineering quality of their F1 model car, which they have been working on since September.
The production process was a long one, with the girls tirelessly altering and perfecting their unique car design using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software called SolidWorks under the skilful eye of their technology teacher, Mr. Walsh. Following its completion, it was forwarded to Cork Institute of Technology, where the engineers brought their design to life. What was simply a design on paper only weeks ago is now a real model car, ready to race!
Rápido y Furioso’steam Manager Katie Hurley confirms that the experience of taking part in the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge so far has been a real challenge, and is hopeful of a strong performance in the Regional Finals, “we are delighted with our car design and have high hopes for the Regional Finals. We are thrilled to have the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown on board as our main sponsors. We will be working with them to bring the F1 Challenge to schools in the Dublin 15 area,” she said.
Adrienne Harding, Access Officer, ITB, said of the sponsorship, “ITB is delighted to sponsor the all-girl team “Team Rapido y Furioso” from St Wolstan’s Community School with their entry into the F1 in Schools Competition. ITB is a great supporter of the F1 in Schools Competition and over the last number of years has ran its own mini version of the competition called the “ITB D15 F1 Competition”, where schools from D15 design and build model F1 cars and then race against other schools at the ITB SciFest event which takes place in May each year.”
If successful at the Regional finals, Rápido y Furioso will progress to the National Finals in April. The Wolstan girls are aiming high, working fast and furious to have everything ready for their upcoming race, where the winners will earn the chance to represent Ireland at the World Finals in 2012.
www.itb.ieNotes of Interest: Specifications for Design
The car, measuring 25cm long and made of balsa wood, could potentially reach scale speeds of up to 350km/hr. In addition to racing head-to-head, the competing teams will be judged on the quality of their engineering, marketing, graphic design and resource management portfolios and on a verbal presentation of their work.
For further information, imagery from the race on the 8th March, please contact Ann-Marie Sheehan, Aspire PR, Tel : 0872985569 or E : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
