Thorite Extends Sponsorship for Huddersfield University's Team HARE 

Formula Student is the world's most respected educational motorsport competition, originated by the Society of Automotive Engineers and run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Thorite, the UK's biggest distributor of pneumatic products & process systems, has extended its established Formula Student sponsorship of Huddersfield University's Team HARE (Huddersfield Automotive Racing Enterprise). 

The company has provided a package of products including a 3HP Thorite compressor, plus a selection of air tools to help with the building and workshop maintenance of the race car. Thorite has also donated a place on the Thorite Academy Foundation in Pneumatics Course to a team member, with the aim of developing the advanced, pneumatically operated, sequential "paddle-shift" gear change system they supplied last year. 

Team HARE was formed in 1999 and is one of the longest established teams in the UK, having built 15 cars over the years competing in Class 1. The team has enjoyed regular success in events in the UK and across Europe, including being the top UK team at FSUK in 2013 and winning the Best Installation of an Internal Combustion Engine Award last year, presented by Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

This year the team comprises 10 M.Eng. students who have sole responsibility for overall team management and around 20 B.Eng. students who are tasked with design projects for both the current carand future concepts. 

Team HARE's race car incorporates many innovative design features. These include unequal, non-parallel push/pull rod suspension with 4 way adjustable dampers, 3D-printed intake plenum, tuned exhaust, lightweight carbon fibre full bodywork with steel spaceframe, Drexler limited slip differential and of course the advanced pneumatic control system for the "paddle-shift" sequential gearbox. The car is powered by a KTM EXC510 engine which produces 65HP. 

Speaking of Thorite's contribution to Team HARE's development team member Ollie Greenwood said: "Thorite has been an excellent long term sponsor for the team and has provided great products backed by invaluable technical assistance, especially with the pneumatically operated gear shift system which has been improved year on year, helping us in the rigorous dynamic sections of the event." 

Formula Student attracts participation from over 350 universities around the world, with teams from 30 countries. The final event, held at Silverstone race circuit on 14-17 July with 3000 students, 5000 attendees and 250 industry professionals, is split into two categories covering static and dynamic sections. The static events consist of submission of a design report, cost report and business presentation, all based on the manufacture and design of the car. The dynamic section sees the car competing in 4 events on track covering sprints, skid pan, slaloms and a 22km endurance event designed to demonstrate both outright speed and fuel economy. 

Further Information: Ross Gowler

Thorite Marketing and Engineering Services Director

Tel: 01274 663471.

Email:ross.gowler@thorite.co.uk

Web:www.thorite.co.uk 

Photo: 

The attached image shows (left to right) 

1/. Thorite Marketing Manager Richard Vaughan.  

2/. Tom Sansbury (22) - Team leader, responsible for Team management, Powertrain, Marketing & Sponsorship. He lives in Rainford, Merseyside and is studying Automotive & Motorsport Engineering 

3/. Ross Bingham (22) - Powertrain, responsible or Powertrain development, Engine calibration, Marketing & Sponsorship. He lives in Sheffield and is studying Automotive & Motorsport Engineering. Ross is the student who will attend the Thorite Academy Foundation in Pneumatics Course. 

4/. Ollie Greenwood (23) - Suspension and Steering, responsible for Suspension optimisation, Driveability, Sponsorship & Logistics. He lives in Keighley and is studying Automotive & Motorsport Engineering. 

5/. Thorite Managing Director Stephen Wright. 

Note to Editors

A family owned business since its foundation in 1850, Thorite has grown to become theUK's largestdistributor of pneumatic products and process systems. From its head office in Bradford, which also houses the company's state of the art National Distribution Centre, showroom and trade sales centre, Thorite has expanded to create a regional network of pneumatics Sales and Service Centres in Blackburn, Bolton, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rochdale, Sheffield, North Shields and the West Midlands. 

Thorite, Thorite House, Laisterdyke, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 8BZ.