Cranfield University announces exciting new partnership with Silverstone

Last month saw the launch of a unique business/university partnership between Silverstone and Cranfield University, aimed at highlighting the importance of industry interaction in educating the motorsport industry’s future managers, designers and engineers.

The innovative ‘Virtual Silverstone’ project enables students on Cranfield’s Master’s degree in Motorsport Engineering and Management to gain a real insight into the business of motorsport. 
 
Damon Hill, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) President and 1996 Formula One World Champion says, ‘The BRDC are delighted to have a close relationship with an organisation like Cranfield. Motorsport is a fast moving industry and a great model for demonstrating the thrill of working together as a team. Partnerships such as this will help to develop the Silverstone business and ensure the British motorsport industry retains its standing in the world.’

Students will be participating in numerous activities at Silverstone throughout the year, including track design, motorsport marketing, large scale event management and a range of other business related issues.

Speakers at the two day launch event included Sir Jackie Stewart, three time Formula One World Champion and keen advocate of auto-racing safety, John Symes of the Motor Sports Association and F1 and motorbike design expert Alan Jenkins.  Representatives from the Force F1 India team and Populous, architectural advisers on the Silverstone redevelopment, also contributed to the event.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Ltd, say, ‘Silverstone and the BRDC have been working with Cranfield for some years and this is an important part of our education strategy, supporting initiatives for all age groups from young children through to mature students.’

Professor Kambiz Kayvantash, Head of the Centre for Automotive Technology at Cranfield, commented, ‘This partnership is a world first in motorsport teaching and training since it combines a complex design and development challenge with input from a range of professional organisations. We are very pleased with the collaboration with Silverstone and expect this to benefit both Cranfield motorsport students as well as Silverstone.’

Find out more about Cranfield’s Motorsport Engineering and Management MSc.

Find out more about Silverstone. 

Content added on 4th November 2009.

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