Cooper Tires British F3 series delivers “hands-on learning” with motorsport

Students from St Matthias Primary School in Malvern, Worcestershire were given an “alternative learning” experience through motorsport when they were visited by the Cooper Tires British F3 series. The visit was part of an initiative to introduce the youngest generation to motorsport. The project was initiated by teacher Emma Rowe, who enlisted the help of the F3 championship promoter, the SRO Motorsports Group, to help bring motorsport to life for the pupils, asking them to design a “racing buggy”. Last Friday the primary school students were treated to a visit from reigning British F3 National class champion Menasheh Idafar and the T-Sport team.

The pupils were shown a film about British F3 in their school assembly and were then challenged to design, build and refine a racing buggy of their own that would later be judged by Menasheh and T-Sport boss, Russell Eacott. Rowe said: “The younger children had to design their own buggy and those aged between 7 and 11 had not only to design one but build it as well. They then had to demonstrate that the buggy was in working order, able to start and stop properly.

“The idea behind the project is to get kids involved who might otherwise not want to sit down and ‘learn’ in the traditional way. By doing hands-on activities, it encourages the children to gain skills like researching, design and building.”

The judging panel faced some tough decisions about which designs should claim the top prizes, which included special medals by the company which makes the trophies for British F3 and Avon Tyres British GT. Twelve children were selected for their winning creations and will be VIP guests at October’s end-of-season British F3 race at Silverstone.

Eacott said: “The kids had a ball, they really enjoyed our visit and were attentive and so enthusiastic; it was a pleasure to be there and to see them enjoying it. People who work in motorsport sometimes forget how lucky they are and events like this are a great reminder. Hopefully, our visit will have enthused some of the children and got them thinking seriously about their studies and maybe even a future in motorsport.”

In addition to the excitement of the competition, the pupils were talked around Menasheh’s F3 car by the driver himself and were shown around the T-Sport truck. The next round of British Formula 3’s 60th anniversary year is at Brands Hatch on the 18 and 19 June.