Following the recent turmoil in Formula 1 arising from the high costs of running competitive motor racing teams, and doubts in sponsors’ minds over the commercial value of their involvement, the viability of motor racing is being critically questioned. With this in mind the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC) at the University of Warwick (an MIA member), is seeking to prove to the motor industry that it is possible to build a competitive racing car using environmentally sustainable components.
The new WorldFirst Formula 3 racecar is a clever piece of lateral thinking. It is the first racing car designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials, putting the world first by effectively managing the planet’s resources.
The project truly is a WorldFirst, the car encompassing:
• Composite Steering Wheel derived from Carrots and other Root Vegetables
• Potato Starch Wing Mirrors
• Wing End Plates made from Cellulose and Flax composite
• Lightweight Wiring Loom incorporating Recycled Aluminium and Plastic
• 3D woven Natural Fibre composites in the Barge Board
• Bio Diesel race calibrated Engine. Not only is the car made of plants it can also run on them
• Glass Fibre and resin from Recycled Plastic for the Side Pod
• A groundbreaking Oxygen Generating catalyst on the Radiators that cleans the air as the car moves
• A seat made from Flax Fibre shell, Soybean Oil foam and recycled polyester
• Recycled Carbon Fibre for the Engine Cover and Damper Hatch
• Pre-impregnated woven Flax Fibre for the Bib
• Plant Oil based Lubricants
• Noncarbon disks, with low embodied energy for the Brakes
• Recyclable Livery and Sustainable Branding
The project promotes a different perspective on “green”, which does not revolve solely around tailpipe emissions. The car itself features cutting‐edge advances in the manufacture of race vehicles.
The WIMRC at the University of Warwick, responsible for this revolutionary project, have focused their energy into bringing sustainable development to the
forefront of motorsport design. Project Manager, James Meredith, a researcher in WMG at the University of Warwick said “It’s been very exciting working on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘Green’ motor racing car. The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future.”
Team WorldFirst, which also includes Dr Kerry Kirwan and Dr Steve Maggs as principle investigators on the project, have collaborated with OEM’s, Tier 1 automotive suppliers and local SME’s throughout. Their collaboration has achieved spectacular results paving the way for motor racing in the future.
To read the full press release and see pictures of the WorldFirst Formula 3 car, please click here.
