Aerodynamic measurement support for NCME students

It’s not often that a motorsport student would have the opportunity to work on a piece of Formula 1 history but that’s exactly what’s happening at the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering at the University of Bolton.

Ensign 180B, which is owned by motor racing supremo Dr Bob Fernley, is a former Formula 1 car which also later raced in the US CanAm series.

Students at NCME will have the rare opportunity of working directly on a Formula 1 car, taking the theory of the classroom onto the reality of the race track.

Working with NCME’s director, Dr Mark Busfield and Professor Willem Toet, head of aerodynamics at Sauber, the students will utilise 16 EvoScann P-16 pressure scanners, which will provide 256 channels of digital data whilst the car is driven on a test track.

P16-A pressure scanners were selected due to their compact footprint and ability to deliver fast, accurate data in direct engineering units.

EvoScann managing director, Paul Crowhurst said, “This a really exciting project which we are privileged to be able to support. Developing the next generation of engineers is crucial for industry and this project has all the ingredients to ignite passion in the students.”

NCME director, Mark Busfield added, “We were delighted to hear that EvoScann could support us with our aerodynamic testing. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students and for NCME, with some great benefits to our programme.

The car will be tested in Anglesey and driven by former Formula One race winner and current Sky presenter Johnny Herbert, with the Ensign’s main race at the Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch.”