Competing under the name Sheffield Formula racing (SFR) for the past 10 years, it finished as the second highest placed UK team, and fifth overall from a staggering entry list of 81 university teams.
Contributing to that achievement was the fact that SFR’s car won the accolade of being the most efficient internal combustion vehicle, in addition to reclaiming for the team the title of the lightest internal combustion engine car in the competition, weighing in at just 158 kg.
The University of Sheffield team draws in members from across the Faculty of Engineering, but mainly the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The competition helps develop valuable skills sets for those taking part, including application of engineering analysis and design, teamwork, networking, advanced manufacturing techniques, and business and financial planning. Part of which is working with local suppliers and partners to aid the development of the car.
Sheffield-based Ceratizit UK & Ireland, through its WNT brand, was happy to contribute sponsorship in the form of cutting tools. “The WNT tools supplied by Ceratizit allow the machining of hard alloys, in particular our 3D-printed titanium parts. The tools have made a big difference to our machining times and capabilities, giving us much faster cycle times and improved surface finishes and ensuring we met tight deadlines and part quality requirements,” says Aidan Charity, sponsor liaison (2018), Sheffield Formula Racing. “We have big plans for the 2019 competition, with the aim of remaining as a top-three UK team, with the ultimate goal of going one better and standing on the top step of the podium. The partnerships we have with businesses such as Ceratizit UK & Ireland will help us to achieve that goal.”
