Driving collaboration in the Student Motorsport Challenge 

 Last month, students from Brooklands Technical College, East Surrey College, and Northbrook College recently took part in the Student Motorsport Challenge, a two-day long training event for Motorsport students. The event blends motorsport and automotive education within the Nankang Tyres BRSCC CityCar Cup Championship to give learners an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world motorsport setting.  

Over the two days, learners from all colleges took part in a busy schedule, participating in group activities such as race car building and preparation, motorsport simulator testing, pitstop challenges, event planning and journalism. While learning the importance of marketing and sponsorships within the racing world, students developed a wide range of transferable skills relevant to their courses and worked as a team to help repair Brooklands Technical College race car.  

One of the standout activities of the event was their hands-on access to our motorsport racing simulator. This allowed students to test and refine their driving techniques while also gaining insights into vehicle dynamics and performance analysis. The simulator provided a safe, controlled environment where learners could apply their knowledge in a real-world scenario and proved to be a great success between learners. 

The training days also highlighted the operational side of motorsport as students were actively involved in documenting race procedures and assisting with event planning tasks, offering them a broader understanding of how motorsport events are organised and managed, and why they are so important to the sport’s success.  

Most importantly, the event fostered collaboration among the participating colleges. By working in mixed teams, students exchanged knowledge and perspectives and raced against each other in a Pit Stop Challenge, where each college team raced to achieve the best pit stop time. This friendly competition allowed students to experience real insights into Formula 1 racing. 

The Student Motorsport Challenge serves as a strong example of collaboration between colleges. By placing students in authentic professional scenarios, the initiative not only enriches their education but also enhances their employability. As our local colleges continue to collaborate, we would like to thank the Student Motorsport team for creating such a valuable experience for our students.