Agemaspark has agreed to continue sponsoring the University of Sheffield’s Formula Student team, Sheffield Formula Racing
The agreement, which has run for eight years, sees Agemaspark help the team to develop and manufacture steering and suspension components worth several thousand pounds. In recognition of their support, the Agemaspark logo is displayed on the team car.
Sheffield Formula Racing brings together undergraduate engineering students from every year of study from departments including mechanical, aerospace, electrical and electronic, to design and build a race car.
Since 2010, the team has taken part in the internationally-acclaimed Formula Student competition, which sees more than 100 university teams from across the world compete at Silverstone. The University of Sheffield team are the current Formula Student UK champions.
One of the aims of the industry-backed competition, from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, is to develop enterprising and innovative engineers and encourage more young people to launch a career in engineering.
Paul Stockhill is managing director at Agemaspark and vice chair of Doncaster University Technical College. He said: "We are thrilled to again partner with the University of Sheffield’s Formula Student team to support them in their exciting journey to next year's Formula Student competition.
"This is a partnership that perfectly aligns with Agemaspark's goal to inspire the next generations of engineers. We are passionate about supporting innovative ideas and young minds who will power the future of engineering."
The management team at Agemaspark, which serves industries like aerospace and oil and gas, including providing bespoke mould tools, are enthusiastic backers of education and skills training in the South Yorkshire region.
As well as running their own successful apprenticeship programme, the company played a key role in the steering group that successfully developed Doncaster UTC. Agemaspark and Sheffield Formula Racing are currently in discussions to arrange a visit from team members with the race car to speak to students at UTC.
While The University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering funds the team’s core budget, sponsorships like Agemaspark’s empower the team to improve and refine certain elements of the car.
Zoe Papadakos, a 4th Year Materials Science and Engineering student and the team’s marketing and communications director, said: “We're really grateful to Agemaspark for continuing to partner with us. They are so enthusiastic about supporting the team and their sponsorship adds a lot of value and allows us to push the boundaries and make more innovative designs.
“There are a lot of exciting changes we want to make to the car before next year’s race and we’re always looking for more sponsors to help us with those challenges.”