Hot Springs Formula 1 team heading to nationals

Working out of a crammed laboratory in Hot Spring High School, four students have combined science, engineering and marketing to create a full-fledged Formula 1 racing team.

After burning up the tracks at a regional tournament in Butte, members of the aptly named Hot Pursuit racing team are preparing to take their self-designed model race cars to the national finals in Austin, Texas this June.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” team coach and Hot Springs science teacher Wade Ingel said. “A lot of schools and districts have a lot more money and resources.”

While miniature in scale, the F1 in Schools challenge, as it’s officially known, is a far cry from the average pinewood derby. Teams use engineering software and 3-D printers to design and build compressed gas-powered cars, which hurdle down the tracks at speeds up to 70 mph.

“The hardest part is keeping their car together,” team manufacturing engineer Raferdy Samson said.

In addition to fielding a vehicle, the competition also requires teams to attract sponsors, develop their own signature brand and present a business portfolio in front of a panel of judges.

FROM THE front office to the pit crew, Ingel said the competition encompasses all elements of a professional racing team.

Hot Pursuit’s path to success is emphasized by their logo in the shape of a phoenix.

“I wanted it to be like rising from the ashes,” graphic designer Joshua Scrivner said.

Ingel said that when the team first formed three years ago, computer problems prevented students from fielding a car at the regional tournament. The second time around their car broke apart on the track. This year, however, Hot Pursuit took third during the head-to-head races, and earned a first place award for team identity.

Design engineer Chris Rosler said during one race their car flipped sideways and still beat the competition.

Modeled after a Honda McLaren Formula 1 car, Rosler said the key to speed is a lightweight, aerodynamic design. Rosler and Samson perfected the shape using a digital wind tunnel machine, then built the components with a 3-D printer and a computerized drilling machine.

While the designers tinkered away, team manager Jenny Scrivner was responsible for running the business side of things. The task came as a bit of a shock for the high school freshman.

“I was like, ‘What, you have to go ask people for money?’” she said. Despite the initial intimidation, Scrivner said the experience has helped her “break out of her shell.”

“I never heard her say two words before this,” Ingel said.

Similar experiences were shared by the rest of the team, which meets for two hours every weekday throughout the school year.

INGEL SAID the dedication and attention to detail required prepares students for college and other endeavors outside high school. While he serves as a source of advice, Ingel said he gives all credit to the students.

“These are hard-working individuals,” he said.

As they prepare for the national finals in Texas, the team must shift their efforts into a higher gear.

“Almost everything is double at nationals,” Rosler said.

The team must design an entire new car, bolster their business portfolio and raise money to cover travel expenses. Scrivner said she plans to widen the team’s sponsorship base and seek support from businesses across the region.

“It’s a daunting task,” she said.

But fresh off their success at regionals, some team members already have sights set on the possibility of attending the F1 in Schools world championships in Malaysia.

“I think we’re pretty good,” Samson said.

For more information or to support the team, visit Hot Pursuit’s Facebook page or website at hotpursuit0.wixsite.com/hot-pursuit.