Students at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) are preparing to bring their Formula race car to Silverstone this July — where it will be fully drivable for the first time — marking another major milestone for the award-winning team.
Just 12 months after reaching the Concept Stage of the prestigious Formula Student competition, TUS Motorsport will now travel to the world-famous British circuit with a complete vehicle developed through hundreds of hours of design, manufacturing and testing.
At a special event at the Moylish Campus, students, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate the team’s achievements ahead of the trip — with even TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane getting behind the wheel of the car during the celebrations.
Unlike last year’s Concept-stage entry, the TUS team will now present a significantly advanced vehicle, with judges assessing everything from engineering design and manufacturing quality to safety systems, sustainability and on-track performance.
While the car showcased at Moylish is still undergoing final development and testing, the team promises it will be fully track-ready by the time it reaches Silverstone. Students described getting the engine running smoothly for the first time as one of the project’s biggest milestones to date.
The team now plans an intensive period of testing ahead of Silverstone.
During the event, the team also delivered a presentation to senior leaders of TUS in the boardroom, outlining the development journey behind the initiative since students Nathan Killane from Kilcommon, Co. Tipperary, and vice-president Darragh O’Grady, from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, first floated the idea of building a Formula Student race car in 2022.
The Moylish event also recognised the success of the team’s SustainF1 TUS initiative, which recently received the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) Impact Award from the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The SATLE awards celebrate initiatives that demonstrate tangible benefits, while also showing strong potential for sustainability, scalability and wider sectoral adoption.
The award included €25,000 in funding to support the continued development of the project, which was praised for its use of recyclable materials, in-house technology and collaboration between multidisciplinary staff and student teams.
The initiative has brought together students from multiple disciplines and campuses across TUS, including students based in Limerick and Athlone. The car reflects a strong sustainability focus, with students incorporating recyclable materials, in-house manufacturing methods and even upcycling components from a decommissioned Honda motorbike.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, praised the team’s commitment and determination.
“This project captures so much of what TUS stands for: innovation, collaboration, practical learning and student ambition. The Motorsport Team have demonstrated an extraordinary willingness to learn, adapt and problem solve, while showing real resilience in overcoming challenges. Everyone involved should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished. This is exactly the kind of hands-on, multidisciplinary learning that prepares students for industry and showcases the incredible talent we have across TUS.”
Nathan Killane, President of TUS Motorsport, said: “There have been countless hours spent designing, manufacturing, troubleshooting and rebuilding parts of the car. We’ve learned far more than just engineering skills. We’ve learned about teamwork, leadership, communication, planning and how to work under pressure. A huge amount of credit has to go to the lecturers and staff who supported us throughout the journey, especially Daniela Butan, who believed in what we were trying to achieve from the very beginning.”
The TUS team has also received support from a wide range of industry partners and sponsors, while academics across the Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering have provided guidance.
Following Silverstone, the team plans to continue testing and refining the vehicle as they aim to further establish TUS Motorsport on the international Formula Student stage.
