Welsh scientist explains his designs for 1,000 mph car

Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr impressed with their presentations

A Welsh scientist yesterday gave an insight into plans to build a 1,000mph car.

Dr Ben Evans, of Swansea Metropolitan University is designing the car in Wales for the record attempt and yesterday outlined the project to over 400 young pupils from South Wales schools in the finals of this year's Engineering Education Scheme Wales competition.

The event at Celtic Manor hotel, Newport was the culmination of over six months work by students in 34 schools working with local companies on a range of projects designed to give practical solutions to engineering challenges.

EESW director Austin Matthews said it was the most successful event in its 20 years history, adding, "There have been more schools, more students, more companies and the widest ever range of problems they have tackled. It is going to be tough to beat this level of entries next year."

For the 21^st running of the event in 2010, he wants to see even more students taking part if the teaching tutors are allowed the time by their schools and supported by additional funding by the Welsh Assembly Government.

He said the judges had been impressed by the projects, their presentation by students and their surprisingly wide range of challenges, notably the green technology engineering.

Next year, the EESW hopes it will attract mentor companies in the wind energy and tidal energy fields of engineering which are becoming increasingly important.

Opening the convention, Sir Anthony Cleaver, chairman of the Engineering Technology Board, said no visitor could fail to be impressed by the standard of exhibits and the knowledge displayed by the students.

"Engineering is vital because it facilitates so many industries upon which the Welsh economy relies, "he said. " It is also vital to have young people coming through schools, colleges and universities to keep the knowledge flowing and the skills at the highest level in the global marketplace."

Swansea born Dr Evans, who is leading research in Wales into the aerodynamics of the intended 1,000 mph Bloodhound Supersonic Car said told the convention that his interest in engineering started in the EESW competition he entered with Gowerton school a decade ago.

"Bloodhound SSC is a project designed to stimulate interest in engineering and science, particularly among students, and we hope it builds on this as it is developed this year and next," he said.

He joined Bloodhound SSC two years ago and has led the team working on the shape of the car which will be powered by jet and rocket engines when it attempts to pass 1,000 mph next year.

Winners of the EESW finals were:

Best innovative or adapted design, Bassaleg School

Best appreciation of environmental issues, Morriston school

Project with greatest commercial potential, St Josephs RC

Most effective presentation of solution, Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr

Best application of information technology, Haberdasher's Monmouth

Best working model, Porthcawl Comprehensive

Best overall team performance, Fitzalan High School 2

Best engineering design, Caerleon Comprehensive

Most effective use of materials, Tasker Milward Comprehensive

Greatest appreciation of safety, St Davids Catholic College

Greatest innovative solution to project, Treorchy Comprehensive 2

ETB challenge award, Bishop Vaughan RC Comprehensive, Swansea.

Looking good: Schaeffler UK backed Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, of Gowerton, won the prize for their project presentation skills helped by company team leaders Andrew John and Paul Williams (above).