SMB Bearings support F1 in Schools national champions

The F1 in Schools competition challenges youngsters aged between nine and 19 to design, construct and race the fastest Formula One car of the future, powered by compressed air cylinders.

Tiro Racing has already progressed through the regional and national finals and now face worldwide opponents at the World Finals for the Bernie Ecclestone World Champions Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia later this year.

SMB Bearings, based in Oxon, supported the Tiro Racing team with ongoing advice from the company’s technical team, as well as providing a range of EZO bearings for wheel system development and vehicle prototyping.

Based on advice and testing, the team selected a stainless-steel ceramic hybrid bearing for its final vehicle design. After two days of competition, the team placed second overall in the UK and were crowned English National Champions as well as being awarded with Best Engineered Car award.

“We think that the F1 in Schools initiative is fantastic for capturing the imagination and developing the engineering aptitude of the future generation of design and manufacturing engineers,” said Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings.

“Giving children and students the opportunity to take their interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects to the next level, in addition to competing on a national and international stage, will help position the UK as a nation of STEM innovators for years to come.

“Our technical experts provided advice about testing and optimal specification, which led them to assessing a range of our EZO ceramic hybrid products. They found they were able to optimise the wheel design set-up for improved performance using the hybrid bearings compared to more traditional bearings.”

“The support SMB Bearings has provided to us throughout the competition has been invaluable,” Josh Schofield, Tiro Racing team manager said. “To win the competition, we have to show our research and deeper engineering background behind the vehicle we develop, as well as demonstrate our business skills through securing team sponsors and marketing. Winning the World Championships is not just about having the fastest car — although it does help!”

Tiro Racing is a team of six engineering apprentices from Kingston College, South West London and they are the first ever apprentice team in the history of the F1 in Schools competition to reach the World Finals. They are currently seeking sponsorship to fund their involvement in the F1 in schools World Championship Finals in Kuala Lumpur.