Students get a taste of life in the fast lane

Press release issued: 4 November 2010



Driver, Innes Hickman

Driver, Innes Hickman

Motorsport students at the College of West Anglia are given the chance to do much more than get their hands dirty.

The college runs its own racing team, based at the Isle campus, Wisbech - complete with a single-seater racing car that competes at tracks including the world-famous Brands Hatch.

Students and staff work hard to ensure the car is competitive - and their efforts have paid off as this year saw the team win the SEMSEC (South East Motor Sports Enthusiast Club) 1600 Class Championship.

They also took second place in the SEMSEC Open Single Seater Championship, ending the season in October on a tremendous high for everyone involved.

Tony Williams, programme manager, said:

"The vital experience the students have gained this year have helped the college to illustrate how 'real life' racing and the motorsport industry operates."

The success of the team on the track has also been reflected in the achievements of the students who achieved a 97 per cent success rate.

The team's success was helped in no small way by a number of sponsors, including Anglia Ruskin University, who all contribute to the continued development of both the team and the students.

The car was fitted with a new engine prior to the final race and other modifications designed to keep the engine coolant at a lower temperature really made the difference.

Driver, Innes Hickman said:

"We improved our best lap by over two seconds, which is a great step forward and mirrors the work that has been put into the car by all concerned."

The college offers a National Diploma in Motorsport at level 3 and from next year will, in conjunction with the Anglia Ruskin University, offer a foundation degree in motorsport engineering.
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