For Immediate Release
24 August 2007
Siemon sponsors Formula Student racing car
Siemon, the network infrastructure specialist, has renewed its sponsorship of the Aston University team in the Formula Student motor racing competition.
This is the second year that Siemon has sponsored a car designed and built by mechanical engineering students at Aston University in Birmingham.
The team car was raced during the summer at the legendary Silverstone track and achieved great results in the acceleration and sprint events before going on to compete in the endurance challenge.
Run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Formula Student competition is an annual event in which students from universities across the world compete to design and build a fully functioning, single-seater racing car. These cars then race in several timed events held over four days.
Work began late last year when the team of final year and postgraduate mechanical engineering students commenced the design and build of a brand new car. The design included extensive use of carbon fibre and aluminium to keep the weight to a minimum. The car is powered by a Smart car engine running through a specially designed epicyclic reduction gearbox with Torsen differential and high performance dampers. The 'boots' are super-soft Avon slick tyres and custom suspension geometries results in a very competitive vehicle.
At the Silverstone Formula Student event the car successfully completed safety, tilt, noise and brake tests. These practical measures were backed by tests of applied theory for the team which included designing a business case, design and cost judging. By this comprehensive testing approach it is hoped to ensure that the students understand what it will be like when they enter the industry.
This sponsorship deal came about when Pete Thickett, son of Eric Thickett, Professional Services Director at Azzurri Communications, one of Siemon UK's long-standing CI partners, originally approached Siemon for sponsorship. Sensing an opportunity to get involved in a project designed to develop engineering talent, Siemon became the primary sponsor of Aston University in Birmingham.
"Siemon has made over one hundred years investment in research and design and so we recognise the importance in supporting development for future success. Our interest extends to supporting future engineering talent, not just in design and manufacture, but also in many of the management, marketing and people skills so vital in the modern world," said Keith Astin, managing director of Siemon EMEA. "Plus it seems appropriate that the company known for high speed cabling should sponsor high speed cars," he said.
For further information regarding the Formula Student Competition visit www.formulastudent.com
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- About Siemon
- Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available. With over 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.
- For further information or supporting picture please contact:
- DoubleDAYLIGHT
- Debbie Ireland, Marketing Consultant
- 07728 016633
- debbie@doubledaylight.co.uk
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