A team from the College of West Anglia are entering a European motoring competition with a difference.
The Shell Eco-marathon Europe has attracted 200 teams and around 3,000 students from colleges and universities in order to do battle for ultra-energy efficiency on the road.
The College of West Anglia at King’s Lynn has joined forces with fellow colleges in Bonn Germany and Soissons France to develop a vehicle which would make any driver envy its fuel consumption figures.
During the 2013 competition the winning team achieved a fuel consumption of over 8000 miles per gallon.
A student and a lecturer from the college will be at the racetrack located on the outskirts of Rotterdam (15-18 May) to watch their vehicle compete and assist with any necessary modifications or maintenance.
Engineering students from the three colleges have been enjoying travelling and working in each other’s countries since October 2011 initially funded by the European Union but now receive sponsorship from across the three countries.
The College of West Anglia Engineering level 3 students have been working on the engine and electrical systems, the German students on the chassis and steering and the French students on the bodywork.
The car has been given the name of ‘Pinto’, which has derived from a town equidistant from King’s Lynn, Soissons and Bonn.
In order to savour the atmosphere and keep an eye on fellow competitors, Lecturer Chris Rabicano and a second year student Raffe O’Brien will be camping near the Ahoy racetrack during the event.
Hopefully Raffe will have the opportunity to drive the vehicle and may be the only student representing the UK in the competition.
Chris said “I hope to make the Shell Eco - Marathon an annual project for our Engineering students working alongside colleagues from Germany and France. Students from Kings Lynn have used high tech design tools such as 3D CAD, 3D printing, Laser cutting and CNC machining to produce components for the vehicle taking part in the competition. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance their employability with experience of working as part of a multinational team in a major European competition.”
Raffe, 23, from Wereham, said he would be ecstatic if he the chance to drive the car for any part of its run. But he said he would understand if the Germans had drivers who were lighter or more dextrous.
PICTURES
The car being tested on the continent last year.
Teamwork: Lecturer Chris Rabicano, left, with student Raffe O’Brien.
A team from the College of West Anglia are entering a European motoring competition with a difference.
The Shell Eco-marathon Europe has attracted 200 teams and around 3,000 students from colleges and universities in order to do battle for ultra-energy efficiency on the road.
The College of West Anglia at King’s Lynn has joined forces with fellow colleges in Bonn Germany and Soissons France to develop a vehicle which would make any driver envy its fuel consumption figures.
During the 2013 competition the winning team achieved a fuel consumption of over 8000 miles per gallon.
A student and a lecturer from the college will be at the racetrack located on the outskirts of Rotterdam (15-18 May) to watch their vehicle compete and assist with any necessary modifications or maintenance.
Engineering students from the three colleges have been enjoying travelling and working in each other’s countries since October 2011 initially funded by the European Union but now receive sponsorship from across the three countries.
The College of West Anglia Engineering level 3 students have been working on the engine and electrical systems, the German students on the chassis and steering and the French students on the bodywork.
The car has been given the name of ‘Pinto’, which has derived from a town equidistant from King’s Lynn, Soissons and Bonn.
In order to savour the atmosphere and keep an eye on fellow competitors, Lecturer Chris Rabicano and a second year student Raffe O’Brien will be camping near the Ahoy racetrack during the event.
Hopefully Raffe will have the opportunity to drive the vehicle and may be the only student representing the UK in the competition.
Chris said “I hope to make the Shell Eco - Marathon an annual project for our Engineering students working alongside colleagues from Germany and France. Students from Kings Lynn have used high tech design tools such as 3D CAD, 3D printing, Laser cutting and CNC machining to produce components for the vehicle taking part in the competition. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance their employability with experience of working as part of a multinational team in a major European competition.”
Raffe, 23, from Wereham, said he would be ecstatic if he the chance to drive the car for any part of its run. But he said he would understand if the Germans had drivers who were lighter or more dextrous.
PICTURES
The car being tested on the continent last year.
Teamwork: Lecturer Chris Rabicano, left, with student Raffe O’Brien.