More than 100 school students pitted their engineering skills against each other with their own versions of Formula One cars.

They may be small, but these cars accelerate faster than the ‘real deal’.

Mackenzie Lyon reports.

TRANSCRIPT

One hundred and three engineers of the future took part in the F1 in Schools State Championships at QUT’s Gardens point campus.

You could almost imagine this being a real track complete with pitts and a tune up area.

Each student was out to impress.

Leanne Hixon, Event organiser: “As the students go back and tell their friends, more and more students want to get involved and it’s just grown that way.”

The students range from as young as ten years up.

They compete in divisions based on age and experience the groups work as a pitt crew to design their total package.

All are fueled by CO2 canisters.

A lot of work goes in to get the right formula for success.

Bronte King, Think Pink Team: “It’s opened up so many avenues and it’s so interesting and it’s a great program to be involved with.”

Freya King, Think Pink Team: “It was worth it, our car is great and I think it’s the winning car.”

In a blink of an eye the cars fly from naught to ninety kilometers an hour in under a second.

They may be small, but these little cars have led to students receiving university scholarships, with some even being poached for jobs before they’ve finished their studies.

Mark Dutton a Race engineer for Red Bull Racing and Jamie Whincup’s wing man in the pits at Bathurst last weekend, was on hand to inspire.

Mark “Dutto” Dutton, Red Bull Racing: “The kids don’t realise how much they’re currently learning, just because they’re having fun. But, along the way they’re learning some pretty crucial things.”

This year’s winners will head to the National finals in Perth in November as they look to drive their future on track and in the right direction.

Mackenzie Lyon, QUT News.