In a statement, the company said:
Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) has today confirmed their support for the 2014 Formula Student competition. Having initially sponsored the event in 2013, ATL are extending their support for a second year following the success of the partnership.
The competition is an initiative of the Institution, culminating in an event which takes place at Silverstone race circuit in the UK between 9-13 July.
Since its inception in 1998 the competition has been a training ground for the next generation of world class engineers. Aimed at providing its competitors with a fully rounded skill set and to aid the transition from education to the engineering workforce, Formula Student has proven to be a powerful tool in the development of future engineers. Notable graduates include Andy Shovlin, chief race engineer at Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team, James Painter, engineering lead of vehicle integration working on the Bloodhound land speed record attempt and Gavin Ward, Race Engineer - Performance at Red Bull Racing.
With no less than four members of the current ATL team as competition alumni, ATL has reaped the benefits of the preparation and experience Formula Student provides. This includes Managing Director Giles Dawson, Head of Design Alex Ng and Motorsport Sales Manager James Gornall.
Speaking of the sponsorship announcement, Patrick Kniveton, President of the Institution, said: “We’re delighted that Aero Tec Laboratories has joined Formula Student as a sponsor.
“Formula Student encourages the best young engineers from around the world to form highly motivated teams and create genuinely innovative engineering solutions, and it’s thanks to the support and expertise of companies like Aero Tec Laboratories that we can continue to offer young engineers this vital career springboard."
Aero Tec Laboratories' Managing Director Giles Dawson said: “Graduates of Formula Student go on to work in motorsport, aviation, defence, marine and many other industries and the alumni list is really quite prestigious. As we have shown at ATL, knowledge and technology born in motorsport can be applied to other industries to great effect and this is one clear message from the competition. We are proud to support the Institution and Formula Student’s efforts to better prepare the next generation of world class engineers whatever their destination".
In addition to supporting the Formula Student event, ATL are also proud to work with many of the university teams involved, providing essential equipment, and in some cases producing the fuel cells required. Fuel safety plays an important part of the competition with all vehicles having to pass a tilt test – recording no leaks – before they can hit the track.
ATL is the leading supplier of safety fuel cells to motorsport, including being the sole supplier to many racing series such as F1, DTM, and the BTCC. Additionally, ATL apply their advanced technologies to industry, defence, aviation, marine, and subsea projects. There is no limit to the applications possible for the materials and technology employed by ATL, and this lateral thinking is an important message ATL wish to convey to all competitors and stakeholders of the Formula Student event.
ATL in the paddock
ATL will be present throughout the event and will be showcasing the products which can be found in motorsport and industry right across the world.
Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to visit the ATL display to view the world beating products, discuss applications and draw upon the knowledge of the ATL team.