A team of more than 30 students from the University of Leicester is hoping to raise £2,000 via a crowd-funding Web site (
www.hubbub.net) to build an electric racing car and take part in the annual Formula Student competition this summer.
The UoL Racing team has been designing the car for the past 18 months in a bid to compete in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers event, which takes place 9-12 July at Silverstone.
The competition consists of a series of events to enhance the engineering skills of the students; it attracts more than 100 teams from as far afield as the Americas, Asia and Australasia.
Project leader and third-year engineering student Goergeous Gobrial said: “With all our designs materialising and the car coming together before our eyes, we are in desperate need of support to enable us to complete our car and race in the competition this summer.
“In return, we offer a variety of rewards, depending on the size of the pledge. We want to show every supporter the significance of their contribution, and we strive to do this by making them feel part of the UoL Racing family.”
The ‘rewards’ for supporters include having their name on the UoL Racing banner or on the car’s bodywork, a private tour of the team facility, a signed team photo and a certificate of recognition.
Paul Lefley from the Department of Engineering said: “This is a very challenging project, which requires strict planning and discipline from the students.
“The current team has made a tremendous effort in implementing its design to the highest build quality and engineering precision, including the novel use of materials. The team is well on the way to racing the car at Silverstone this July.”