Haas sponsored team reaches F1 in Schools World Finals

First introduced in the UK in 1999, the F1 in Schools competition for school children is hosted in 30 countries with some nine million students, aged 9-19, competing. Teams have to design and manufacture a miniature car using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and timed along a 20 m track. The current world record time, held by a Northern Irish student team is 1.020 seconds. Team Fusion asked Haas to be the key engineering supplier and the company had a crucial role supporting the cars design and development. Haas' managing director, Nick Remington, said: "We are approached on a regular basis by people looking for sponsorship. On this occasion, I felt that supporting local students was highly appropriate, as Haas is currently the largest supplier of CNC machines not only to the UK business sector but also to education worldwide. The team's enthusiasm, ability and willingness to learn impressed us so much that we had no hesitation supporting their efforts after just a brief meeting." In the judging event, judges visit each team's display space and view a portfolio which has to be prepared by the team as part of the challenge. Haas have assisted in the design and production of not only the race car but also the replica display car (pictured). Teams are marked on design, marketing and manufacturing of the car and a 10 minute presentation to the judges. Mr Remington continued: "The display car was produced on a Haas 2010 VM-3 in our Leicester showroom and the end product has really opened the team's eyes as to what can and is being achieved with the latest CNC technology." A team from the USA were crowned 2010 World Champions at this year's finals.