This year brings exciting new developments, as UWR has appointed its first female racing driver, Jessica Hawkins, 28, from Poole. Jessica will drive the Praga R1 car alongside UWR professional racing driver and University mentor, Shane Kelly.
Jessica's previous experience includes racing in W Series and the British Touring Car Championship, as well as working as a stunt driver on the James Bond film, 'No Time to Di'.. Jessica is keen to encourage more female students to join the sport, and develop a related interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
UK Curtain Walling Director, Duncan Hague has seen the team rise to victory and said: "It's been fantastic to travel the UK, seeing the team in action. They’ve continued to impress us with their ability and determination. Jessica is an outstanding addition to the team, and we’re excited to see what 2023 holds for UWR."
The 2022 season saw some fantastic results for the team including a race win, two second place finishes, and a third-place finish. Two of the drivers claimed 'Driver of the Weekend' awards and were named 'Rookie of the Year' at the Praga Cup end-of-season awards. Due to the drivers’ skill and success, UK Curtain Walling Ltd are confident that the 2023 season will provide further victories for the university team.
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The racing team has more than 35 sponsors, but UK Curtain Walling Ltd are pleased to be a main sponsor of driver Shane Kelly’s helmet. Sister company, Window Control Systems UK Limited is proudly showcased alongside UK Curtain Walling Ltd on the F3 car itself.
Duncan appreciates the practical aspects that underpin UWR, as well as the excitement of their racing events. UWR is comprised of students studying for degrees in Manufacturing, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, Motorsport, Automotive, Mechatronics, and Aerospace, at the University's Telford Campus. UWR will help these students graduate with practical experience in additional to theoretical knowledge, adding proven 'real-world' skills to their resumes and boosting their appeal to future employers.
Duncan said: "We see some great opportunities for student engineers and technicians in this team, and it’s fantastic how they promote inclusivity and diversity. It’s extremely competitive, but they're paving a promising future for engineers and drivers. We're proud to be a part of this journey."
Notably, UWR is the only UK student racing team competing in the professional motorsport competition. Duncan commends the opportunities and inspiration that UWR is providing for the younger generation. Speaking recently about opportunities for students within the manufacturing industry, Duncan noted: "There are always opportunities for young people in manufacturing, like anything in life, if you want it work hard and get it. You will always come across challenges; is how you react to them that counts."
This combination of tenacity and determination is a key factor in UWR’s successes, and UK Curtain Walling Ltd look forward to the seeing what unfolds in the coming season. Follow UK Curtain Walling Ltd on LinkedIn and Facebook for further news and updates of the announcements, race results and more.
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