Bosch has announced its sponsorship of the 2005 Formula Student competition, including the 'Skid Pad' award, which seeks to identify the team that can master a 'Figure of 8' manoeuvre in the quickest time possible. The sponsorship marks the first step for Bosch in establishing a relationship with Europe's largest automotive engineering challenge, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in partnership with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE).
Promoting engineering excellence amongst students, Formula Student challenges universities across the country to design, build, market and ultimately compete as a team with a small single seat racing car. It aims to give students a taste of the 'real life' industry challenges they can expect to encounter upon graduation.
According to Formula Student organisers, the 2005 season looks set to be the best yet after an overwhelming response from universities across the country.
"We have been delighted with the response to this year's competition. Another year-on-year increase in entries mean that we have 89 teams competing from 18 countries around the world - more records for Formula Student," said Brian Robinson, manager of the Formula Student programme at the IMechE. "It is only through the continued support of sponsors, like Bosch, that we are able to put on one of the most recognised student competitions in Europe. The experience participants gain is invaluable and helps them develop the skills to be an integral part of any team."
Bosch is committed to supporting the aims of such competitions, which seek to invest in the future development of tomorrow's engineers. Commenting on Bosch's involvement, corporate affairs manager, Beverley Daniels, said: "Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of our involvement with the Formula Student programme is that we are helping to provide students with practical hands-on engineering experience in a competitive environment - away from the classroom - which will be invaluable to them as they look to develop their careers in future."
The 2005 Formula Student competition will take place from 8 - 10 July at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome and Proving Ground, Leicestershire, UK.
