Limerick students have the drive to make iconic Formula 1 circuit
Technological University of the Shannon engineers get on the road to Silverstone
FOUR car-loving students at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) are building a racing car from scratch in a bid to emulate their Formula 1 (F1) heroes.
The TUS motorsport team – whose members are made up of students from across the region have made some of the car parts themselves at the college’s Coonagh campus on Limerick city’s northside.
They have sourced other parts through sponsorship, and even upcycled an engine from a crashed Honda motorbike.
Above: Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Wilson took time out from his role as speaker at the Manufacturing Solutions exhibition in the college to meet TUS Motorsport members Krzysztof Kowalewski, Ethan Ellis, Asher Grant, Nathan Killane, Hugh O’Grady and Daniel Gammell (Picture: Alan Place)
Now they are heading across to Silverstone racetrack in Britain, where motorsport legends like the late Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton made their name.
While their vehicle is not yet fully finished, they have reached the concept stage of the Formula Student competition which includes teams from around the world.
Their car has been shipped across to the elite F1 venue, at Northamptonshire, in the British midlands by van and ferry.
And the team has their eyes on the prize: they want to enter the full Student Formula Race at Silverstone in just 12 months time.
In total around 30 TUS students have helped in the project.
Some have done college assignments which are driving to the ultimate goal.
Many of the students taking part come from different academic backgrounds too - from precision, mechanical, electronic and automotive engineering to international business, creative broadcast and film production.
The TUS Motorsports team is led by its president Nathan Killane from Kilcommon in Tipperary, close to the Limerick border.
Nathan has experience in the motorsports arena already, having competed in the F1 in Schools contest at secondary level alongside the group’s vice president Darragh O’Grady, from Thurles.
Taking up the story, Nathan said: “When it came to the time to choose my CAO, TUS was my first choice — because I had a dream of one day competing in Formula Student. In my very first week of college, I reached out to Daniela Butan, one of the lecturers here, to help me establish a team. Since then, we’ve made real, measurable progress, building momentum each semester.”
For the group, the project is about more than just building a car, Nathan added.
“It’s an opportunity to develop both technical and soft skills, to promote engineering in a way that inspires students and to showcase the incredible talent we have here at TUS,” said the team president.
In order to pass the chequered flag, the team availed of two third-level research grants to the value of €13,000.
On top of this, they sought help and sponsorship from Kent Stainless which provided the chassis, which is the framework of any motorised vehicle.
Beta Tools has come on board to sponsor a tool chest as have Dave Killane Transport, from Nathan’s Tipperary home place, who are sponsoring the transport.
DC Autospares supplied studs and nuts.
Locally, Kilmallock firm Senator Engineering made the pedal box, and Ballysimon Road company OMC provided suspension tabs and funding.
Takumi Precision based in Raheen funded the 1999 Honda Motorbike, which the students recovered parts from.
Shannon’s Bolger Engineering provided body panels.
Another company from Kilmallock SQ Fabs supplied materials, while studs and nuts came from Cavanagh’s of Charleville.
Financial support was also forthcoming from Ace Autobody and Lyons’s Motor Group, both based at Ballysimon Road, alongside John Crowley Plant Hire of Sixmilebridge.
When you include the value of benefit-in-kind from sponsors, the team estimates the total outlay to put together the motor will be less than €30,000.
It flies in contrast to some of their Formula Student competitors who have spent many multiples of that sum, with one team splashing out €130,000 in 2023.
Most of the work on the car has taken place at TUS’s Coonagh Campus in Limerick where the team have access to professional tools and equipment as well as assistance from academics.
While lecturer in the department of mechanical and automobile engineering Ms Butan was their main source of advice, many of her colleagues have helped them too including Lisa Henihan, Ciaran O’Loughlin, James McPhillips, Chris Sexton, Patrick Walsh and Sean Cunningham.
Tony Mahon, the department’s head also played his part.
Ms Butan said: “The drive of these students is second to none. When they first approached me with their idea to build a Formula car, I didn’t think it was achievable in the timeframe they had – but they’ve proved me wrong.”
“I told them they’d need a multi-disciplinary team, a solid business plan, and a marketing strategy, because this was about more than just engineering – and they delivered on all fronts.”
She praised the team’s drive.
“Their passion for the project has truly shone through, and they deserve great credit not only for the countless hours they’ve dedicated, but also for their strategic approach in aligning their college work with the project.”
She hailed it as a “major achievement” not just for the mechanical engineering team but for the college as a whole.
“We’re very proud of their progress and commitment – and they are now in pole position to take part in the race 12 months from now,” she smiled.
When they return to TUS next semester, the team plan to finish the car and race it for the first time.
After that, it will be tested over and over as they vie to become the first ever Technological University to race at Silverstone.