The ‘Virtual Silverstone’ project, which enables students on Cranfield’s Master’s degree in Motorsport Engineering and Management to gain a real insight into the business of motorsport, was launched last week at the Silverstone Innovation Centre.
Damon Hill, 1996 Formula One World Champion and now president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, said: “The BRDC are delighted to have a close relationship with an organisation like Cranfield. Motorsport is a fast-moving industry and a great model for demonstrating the thrill of working together as a team.
"Partnerships such as this will help to develop the Silverstone business and ensure the British motorsport industry retains its standing in the world.”
Students will take part in activities at Silverstone throughout the year, including track design, motorsport marketing, large scale event management and a range of other business-related issues.
As part of this partnership, Silverstone has defined the industrial group project for this year’s motorsport students. They will investigate the relationship between the design and safety of a Formula Ford nose cone and the design of temporary barriers located around Silverstone’s Stowe circuit. The students will make recommendations for the most effective design and location for barriers that maximises revenue while optimising safety.
Silverstone Circuits managing director Richard Phillips said: “Silverstone and the BRDC have been working with Cranfield for some years and this is an important part of our education strategy.”
Professor Kambiz Kayvantash, head of the Centre for Automotive Technology at Cranfield, added: “This partnership is a world first in motorsport teaching and training since it combines a complex design and development challenge with input from a range of professional organisations.
"We are very pleased with the collaboration with Silverstone and expect this to benefit both Cranfield motorsport students as well as Silverstone.”
