I'm the Team Leader of Formula Student Portsmouth, UPRacing. I've been part of the team for many years now and the UPR-08 will be my fourth Formula Student car! We recruit students from all years of study, so the team comprises foundation to postgraduate students from a variety of Engineering and Technology disciplines.
We enter Formula Student to get as much out of our University experience as possible, and prepare ourselves to stand out from the competition in graduate job hunts. Most importantly it allows us to connect with other students who share similar hobbies and interests.
I've met some really special people on our journey to Silverstone. The road itself is ever changing and as long as you prepare for a few pot-holes on the way you are in good stead to be competitive and most importantly have an amazing time. I've learned that trust goes a very long way when teaching and distributing jobs among a volunteer workforce.
Our design is an evolution of the predecessor. Our ethos has shifted from drastically trying a new formula each year to understanding our strengths and weaknesses and building on what works for us as a team. We found that trying to run before we could walk left us only beginning to properly understand our current concept by the time we were moving on to the next model.
I am very proud of my team members who each week go above and beyond what I would normally expect from an intensive extra-curricular activity.
The challenge of finishing the endurance is what I am looking forward to the most. It will be the first time that UPRacing has finished the endurance and the feeling will be immense.
Will you win Formula Student 2016?
Of course we will win! If not then top UK team, and if not then top southern team!
Find out more about UPRacing:
Visit UPRacing's Facebook page
Follow UPRacing on Twitter
Visit UPRacing's YouTube channel
Visit the UPRacing website
Do you have some great news to shout about? Let us know what you've been up to. Contact us via email at formulastudent@imeche.org.