Frequently Asked Questions for UK Competition

Now at the start of a new FS season, we've come up with some Frequently Asked Questions for the UK competition to give all teams more information and dispel some common misconceptions.

Read on for some common questions or read the full list on the new FAQs page (also available under the Team Information page).

When and where is the next UK competition taking place?

Provisional dates are Wednesday 22 July to Sunday 26 July 2020 inclusive and it will be returning to Silverstone, the home of the F1 British Grand Prix. The confirmed dates for FS2020 will be released by December 2019 at the latest.

Is there an entry process for teams to enter?

Unlike the majority of other competitions, we do not have an entry quiz. Team selections for the UK competition are made by the organising committee based on your submission of a Business Logic Case (BLC) outlining your plans for the competition year. Teams are accepted or otherwise based on the BLC, at which point they are required to pay their entry fee to secure their place. From 2020, a place in the competition will not be guaranteed until payment is received.

We have built our car/s to FSG specification, can we still enter?

Yes! Since 2018 we have amended our rules to enable teams building FSG-spec cars to compete in the UK competition. This is covered within the UK supplementary rules, which are updated after Learn to Win in October.

Is there any financial assistance available for teams?

Yes! In the last couple of years, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has expanded their financial awards scheme so that teams around the world can apply for and receive funding to compete. Check out the application forms here to secure up to 8,000 GBP for your team.

Why should we take part in the UK competition?

• We are the longest-running Formula Student competition in Europe, now in its 22nd year
• The competition is owned and operated by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the largest professional engineering institution in the world with over 120,000 members worldwide
• The UK competition takes place at the historic Silverstone circuit, a current F1 Grand Prix venue, with cars running on the same track
• As one of the first events in the European events calendar, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get some early testing, feedback and, hopefully, silverware
• Our Judges and Scrutineers have a wealth of experience in industry that can help you not only during the competition but in your careers
• Our sponsors include some of the top engineering employers in the UK and the world and they acknowledge that Formula Student graduates are some of the best engineers available to employ
• We are the most International competition with representation from the largest number of different countries. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and open competition whilst remaining competitive
• The organising committee are motivated to help as many engineering students as possible to experience and benefit from everything Formula Student has to offer the next generation of professional engineers
• Because racecar. Seriously!