Corus provides materials expertise to Formula Student Racing Teams
19 Apr 2007
Corus is once again supporting some of Europe’s leading student race teams.
Corus, the international metals company, is once again supporting some of Europe’s leading student race teams – the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Delft - as they compete in the annual International Formula Student Programme.
The 2007 contest, to be held for the first time at Silverstone in the UK between 12-15 July, provides the next generation of automotive engineers, from leading universities across the world, with a valuable insight into the engineering and project management process of taking a racecar concept from design through manufacture and ultimately, to competition.
Corus Research Development and Technology (RD&T) in IJmuiden, Netherlands, will be sponsoring Delft University’s race team providing material for the space frame and other components as well as offering their knowledge and expertise in metals technologies. In addition, Delft University is using Corus’ crash tower facility in IJmuiden to test the energy absorption of the racecars’ nose in case of frontal impact.
Commenting on the importance placed by Corus on supporting a number of Universities in this important competition, Nico Langerak, Department Manager Automotive Applications, Corus RD&T said: “We are giving students access to the latest material, technology and industry techniques to help them in the development stages of their entry into the Formula Student competition. As a major supplier to the European automotive industry, we feel it important to support these vehicle engineers of the future. We wish all the teams competing in the 2007 contest all the very best of luck.”
For the ninth consecutive year, Corus Engineering Steels Stockholders in the UK has supplied the University of Birmingham team with two grades of steel - a case hardening quality and a high tensile alloy - to produce a number of crucial driveline components including the differential and driveshaft for its single seater racecar. These high quality steels are the same materials commonly used by professional race teams.
Commenting on the valuable support provided by companies like Corus, Alex de Jonge, Project Manager The University of Birmingham UBRacing team said: “Our 2007 racecar features innovative weight saving measures coupled with high performance acceleration, impressive handling characteristics and all-round reliability. The specification and supply of the right kind of high quality steel has played a critical part in its development and we are grateful to the support from Corus."
Chris Bishop, Area Sales Manager (Development) Corus Engineering Steels said: “By providing the students with Corus Engineering Steels’ advanced materials and support, we are helping the students build a vehicle with the potential to compete at premier motorsport levels. The most rewarding aspect of being involved in the programme is that we are able to provide students with the materials for real ‘hands on’ engineering experience. This will prove invaluable to the students after graduation when they enter competitive industries, ultimately benefiting the whole of the automotive industry”.
Finally, Corus Automotive, which specialises in developing innovative vehicle engineering solutions using the latest thinking in materials and manufacturing technologies, is sponsoring the Warwick University’s Formula Student campaign offering engineering advice for the design of the chassis.
The 2007 Formula Student competition will be held at Silverstone between 12-15th July.
Ends
Press release and pictures can be downloaded from websites:
www.automotivepr.com and www.corusautomotive.com
Corus Automotive media enquiries:
Marco Ferrari +44 (0) 207 494 8050 mferrari@automotivepr.com
Belle Wilson + 44 (0) 207 494 8053 bwilson@automotivepr.com
