Formula DIT Travel To Silverstone For IMechE Formula Student Shootout.

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Following hundreds of hours designing and developing their IMechE Formula Student project, Topgear.ie went along for the unveiling and official launch of the FormulaDIT in Bolton Street, Dublin.

This week the students of FormulaDIT from DIT Bolton Street travel to Silverstone circuit to compete in the IMechE Formula Student shootout.  Competing against over 100 teams from all around the globe, the students showcase their single seater, space frame chassis race car.  Designed and built by the students in DIT over the last few months, it’s time to race, auto test, perform skill tests and present a business plan to a panel of judges.

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Starting from an IMechE Formula Student brief, the Irish students set out to design a race car, that they would build in-house in DIT Bolton Street.  Designing and developing the chassis, suspension, power unit and transmission, from scratch, complying with a set of regulations was no easy task.  The team set out to pick a team leader, Mark Hartnett, who worked with DIT instructors, Derek McEvoy, Gerry Woods, Bill Reddington and Donal McHale.  Marks first task was to analyse the brief with the team (Jack Cullen, Niall Bowe, Tom Lynch, Shane Monaghan, Harry Robinson, Gerry Dorran, Brian Lebioda, Daniel McDonald, Brendan Coyne & James Muldoon), assign responsibilities, design and execute to deliver a competitive machine for this weeks event.

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The team also worked with strategic partners, Kingspan, who helped design a ‘blow moulded’ bodywork.  GKN Driveline who provide all teams with driveshafts, Mondello Park who provided track time, and Stone Motorsport who provided mapping and dyno facilities.

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Testing in Mondello Park last week.

From the design to manufacturing of their project, the team worked tirelessly to deliver a competitive working machine that will compete at the home of motorsport, Silverstone.  Watched by thousands around the world, the team will be scrutinised within a number of disciplines.  The teams have also had to develop a viable business plan to encompass all aspects of sourcing, design and potential commercial manufacture of their car.

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The team have delivered a fantastic machine, which aesthetically and mechanically fits the bill.  The students have successfully completed the project along with completing their regular studies and exams.  The workload was immense, however with the dedication and cohesiveness of a well disciplined team, the guys in DIT have something to be proud of.

We wish them all the success they deserve this week and indeed into the future.  They will never forget what they have achieved with FormulaDIT throughout their careers and have a lot to be proud of.

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We will keep you up to date with the teams progress.  Well done team!!

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