West Suffolk College motorsport engineering students head to Silverstone final for Student Motorsport Challenge this weekend

Motorsport engineering students are taking their race team to Silverstone where they will battle it out for the podium.

The West Suffolk College students have been competing all year in the Student Motorsport Challenge at some of the UK’s most famous racing circuits.

This weekend, the grand final is taking place at the Silverstone Circuit where the students from the Bury St Edmunds-based college will fight to hold their third position within the challenge.

The Student Motorsport Challenge gives college students from all over the country the opportunity to form a race team, turn a used city car into a race car, find a driver and then compete on track against other colleges, novices and professionals in the ultra-competitive Nankang Tyres BRSCC CityCar Cup Championship.

It provides the students with substantial ‘real life, hands-on’ industry experience working on a project that integrates into their curriculum.

Alan Barrett, course tutor at West Suffolk College, said: “The students have spent their weekends working hard this year to succeed in the Student Motorsport Challenge.

“They have gained valuable hands-on experience in the racing world, an opportunity which will position them well to further their careers in motorsport.”

Students who took part in every event and test day will have gained 240 hours of industry experience, in addition to the time spent working at the college.

In a 30 car grid, with 18 races across seven weekends at some of the UK’s most famous racing circuits, this opportunity to gain experience is extremely valuable to the students.

West Suffolk College’s driver Haydn Payne will be full of confidence as the team prepares for the Silverstone final following his drive to two podium finishes at Brands Hatch for the college.

The students continue to improve the performance of the car while Haydn, at only 17, continues to improve his pace and experience on the track.

As the college heads into this weekend in third place overall, it is all to play for.

This weekend, the students will also take part in a Pit Stop Challenge where they can put their gained experience to the test in timed conditions in the F1 Pit Lane Garages.

There will also be awards given out for Car Preparation & Build and Professional Development.

West Suffolk College would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support: Sealey Tools, Coastline Graphics, Kent Blaxill and Chassis Cab.