Formula Student

Our team

Join a successful team of racing car designers and engineers while you study, and enter the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ international Formula Student Challenge.

Boasting a 15-year legacy in the Formula Student competition, the University of Portsmouth has a deeply-rooted history in motorsport engineering through its dedicated team, UPRacing. 

Initially, the team made its mark with a traditional Internal Combustion vehicle, demonstrating its prowess not only in the UK but also on the international stage in Spain. Today, in tune with the rapidly evolving world of sustainable technologies, the university's commitment to this competitive arena has diversified into two distinctive teams - UPRacing Electric and UPRacing Alternative Fuel. 

As part of the team,  students pick up hands-on experience and skills at the forefront of these emerging, environmentally-friendly technologies, using university-provided lab space, academic backing, and access to the software and manufacturing facilities needed to produce competitive entries into the global competition. 

Our record is impressive, with UK wins under our belt and several team alumni being invited to join the judging panel. We can boast podium positions at Silverstone, perfect scores in the business and cost events, and commendations for our teams’ design achievements.

About Formula Student

Every year, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) runs a racing competition that culminates at Silverstone in July. This is Formula Student. 

Drawing entrants from around the world, the challenge showcases university students’ ability to design, create and race cars at the prestigious home of UK motorsport. 

Participants will design, manufacture, assemble and test a new racing car for the competition, following  internationally recognised competition rules as they apply engineering knowledge and practical expertise. Another critical part of the competition is the Cost & Manufacturing and Business events which give budding engineers an opportunity to gain skills that will be directly applicable when they go into industry.

It’s an extra-curricular activity, but what you learn if you join the teams can inform your learning as you study with us. You’ll also develop valuable workplace skills in project management, collaboration, costing and creativity.

Who can join?

Most participants in the Formula Student challenge are from the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering (SENE) and the School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering (SMDE) - but UPRacing is open to any University of Portsmouth student with an interest in engineering for racing, with students from multiple faculties getting involved. 

The teams are entirely run by students and currently have around 60 students involved, with that number growing every year. Spaces on the team are limited – however, there are no prerequisites for applicants. The teams value enthusiasm over experience and are open to anyone in any year of study, so make sure you look out for the teams in Freshers’ week when the team will be on campus taking applications for new members!