After a sucessful maiden season, Southampton University Racing Team has claimed the 'Best Newcomers' award for the 2003 season.

After the club was founded in February 2003, and given inital funding by SUES (Southampton University Engineering Society), it has gone on to a 100% finishing record, at circuits across the country.

"It's been a very good season" said Anna Newberry, founder of SURT & outgoing Team Manager, "Both our drivers have done an excellent job, as well as the behind-the-scenes staff who have kept the car running in all kinds of circumstances!".

Having moved from building 19 into the transport laboratory in the bottom of Lanchester, the team is now in a state of handover, as the founding student members move on. Always on the look out for keen new members, the team needs to replace the expertise which will be graduating and leaving the Southampton area for the 2004 season.

In particular, the team is looking for students who are keen to get their hands dirty working on the car & engine. There are also other opportunities for students to get involved with, such as the "How Vehicles Work" series, which has been running for the first semester, and teaches students the basics of vehicles, including suspension, engine systems and transmissions. There is also a group of members who are designing a new aerodynamics package for the car, based on the feedback and requirements gathered from the 2003 season.

"There are opportunities for all kinds of students in SURT, for example, Management students would be welcome, since managing the racing team is a very complex job, incorprating both logistical and technical aspects"

If you are looking for possible 3rd or 4th year engineering projects to do, then SURT might be able to help you. They have several projects which the team has already discussed, which it would be possible to take on. These range from FEM analysis of the chassis to engine based design work. Individual and group projects are available.

"This is a student run team, for the benifit of students. We created the team to try a fill the gap in students practical engineering abilities, plus, its a lot of fun."

For more information, log onto SURTs website, located at http://surt.e-sues.com/ and register on the forums.

These are regularly manned by SURT members, who will be willing to give people further information.

"With the right kind of support from the University and the Student body, we look forward to a successful 2004 season – the car is competitive, we just need to make sure it gets to the grid!"

For pictures, please see the 'racing' section at http://surt.e-sues.com, or contact info@surt.e-sues.com.

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