UG Racing (www.ugracing.co.uk), the University of Glasgow team, racked up its best performance so far at the annual Formula Student event, run by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers at Silverstone in July.

Finishing 30 places higher than ever before (in 21st place), the team attributed this year’s success to its close partnership with Gratnells Engineering the Harlow-based laser tube-cutting specialist.

This year’s single-seat racing car was put through a rigorous series of static and dynamic tests, and its success was put down to several key improvements in accuracy and time management, which would not have been possible without Gratnells’ expertise.

The latter’s ability to source, accurately cut and deliver large quantities of steel tubing quickly established it as a preferred partner.

A decision was made at the beginning of the year to retain a tubular-steel space-frame chassis, which allowed time for a thorough testing regime and for any small problems to be ironed out.

The car was then run on a dynamometer, giving the team highly accurate running data on engine performance.

Welding of the space-frame took a total of three weeks which was a significant improvement on previous years.

Gratnells’ ability to laser-cut tubes to the exact profile of the UGR-17 CAD model proved invaluable, while the jigging, made from steel box section provided by the company, maintained accuracy to within fractions of a millimetre.

UG Racing is using this year’s partnership with Gratnells as a springboard to prepare an even stronger entry for 2018, including a foray into European competition.