Student Race Drivers Win in Silverstone

Garching. 35 engineers of the Technische Università¤t (TU) Munich have won in Silverstone: the team "TUfast" won the Formula student race in Great Britain.

The "TUfast" team consists of 35 members, with two women and includes mechanical engineering students who compete against groups from all over the world. Each year the budding engineers construct a new racing car. They have to draw blueprints, find sponsors, manufacture parts and assemble the car. Members like 23 year old Robert Lukesch, who spends up to 40 hours a week on his hobby explains "We have spent a lot of nights in the garage".

While the students looked forward to the race and wanted to win, the goal of the student project was to perfect skills for their career. "It is a construction contest above all", tells Lukesh.

Recently the first race of the season was held in Silverstone. The team arrived in a 40 ton lorry carrying their brand new car. In the pitstop where Formula 1 stars usually frequent, the team propped up their car. 75 teams from 20 countries take part in the contest. The competition is different than from Formula 1 in that the maximum speed limit is "only" around 120 kilometres per hour. The car itself is only 1.50 metre wide, weighs 191 kilogram and accelerates from 0 to 100 in 3.6 seconds.

The TU-team was unstoppable and they secured the overall victory. The ecstatic team accepted the trophy, the guided tour through the halls of the Formula 1 Red-Bull-team, 1000 pounds and next years entry fee, which were all part of the winners prize.