We welcomed back Piers Kemp (Shenstone 2012 - 2023), for this week’s FUTURES Friday seminar.  Piers, who currently studies at the University of Exeter, talked to our pupils about his experience in X-Racing.

X-Racing is a student engineering competition held annually at Silverstone Circuit, and attracts student teams from around the world.  Competitors design, manufacture, test, and race a formula style race car.

Here is what Piers has to say: “The X-Racing Formula Student Team at the University of Exeter is a vibrant collective of dedicated students who blend technical expertise, innovative engineering, and business acumen to design and build an open wheel race car. We take our car to Silverstone each year in July to compete in the IMechE Formula Student competition against other universities across the UK and the world. Guided by an experienced leadership team, including our Team Principal, Technical Director and Vice Technical Director, the team is structured into specialised sub-teams such as Powertrain, Composites, Suspension, Business, Publicity, Driver Cell, Electronics, and Simulations. Each sub-team plays a crucial role, from crafting efficient propulsion systems and lightweight, aerodynamic car bodies to managing sponsorships and ensuring seamless digital integration. Together, we work in harmony to push the boundaries of performance and design, culminating in our best ever result in our 2024 campaign with the XRX.”  More details can be found on their website here XRacing - University of Exeter Formula Student Team .

Piers’ talk was was relevant to students of A Level DT, Physics, and Business, and anyone wishing to read Engineering at university.

Our FUTURES team works hard to produce a varied programme of FUTURES Friday Seminars, designed to appeal to a broad range of pupils. We have a programme of FUTURES Friday Seminars, and so if you are interested in taking part, Mrs Chillcott would be grateful to hear from you: ChillcottR@SolSch.org.uk. There is no need to be an experienced public speaker, or particularly senior in your organisation, as what we are looking for is a taster of ‘real life’ within various sectors.