UTC’s Unity Racing head to national finals again in schools F1 championship

Three UTC teams took to the stage at the regional finals on Tuesday, February 3; Aether, Hex and SBA Unity.

The event had nine professional class teams from across the region and some very strong competitors.

The competition challenged students to design, manufacture and race miniature Formula 1 cars, launching them down a 20-metre track using compressed air.

Teams were required to optimise aerodynamic performance while complying with detailed technical regulations, closely mirroring real FIA scrutineering processes.

Beyond engineering performance, students presented comprehensive project work.

A judging panel of industry professionals and STEM Racing alumni, which included former Scarborough UTC students Jack, George, Reanne and Connor, alongside current student Billy, assessed entrants across five key categories: Engineering, Enterprise, Project Management, Brand Identity and Verbal Presentation.

The event was divided into four competition classes - Primary, Entry, Professional and Development - each offering increasing levels of technical and project complexity.

This progression allows students to develop foundational engineering, teamwork and communication skills before advancing to higher levels of competition.

A spokesperson for Scarborough UTC said: “Judging all went very well, verbal presentations took place and the cars set some fantastic times setting us for first and third fastest.

“SBA Unity claimed the best engineered car and fastest car awards along with securing first place.

“Hex were awarded the Research and Development trophy and both teams will progress to the Nationals in March.”

Each winning team received a bespoke award manufactured by The Engineering Centre, led by Calderdale College in West Yorkshire, using materials donated by CERATIZIT, a STEM Racing UK sponsor.

The teams will now compete against schools from across the UK for the chance to qualify for the prestigious Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026, due to be hosted at an international Formula 1 Grand Prix location yet to be announced.

Commenting on their win, Matiss, Team Manager of SBA Unity Racing, said: “We’re so happy to have come first in the competition; it’s been an amazing day, and this is the best possible way to end it!

“Our school’s previous team managed to take third place at the 2025 World Finals, so we’re really hoping to follow in their footsteps and secure a place on the podium at both Nationals and Worlds.

“We’re going to work as hard as we can to make that happen.”

Scarborough UTC Principal Helen Dowds said: “We are so proud of our students and their accomplishments.

“It's the first step on the STEM Racing ladder for them, and first competitions are always nerve-wracking, but as usual the teams have really shown they know their stuff.

“Securing three awards across the teams, a first place victory, and two teams progressing to the National Finals shows their hard work and dedication, and the strengths of a UTC education as they use the skills they have learned.

“We can't wait to see the teams compete at the National Finals.

“Our thanks as always go to Mr Shephard, our Director of Engineering and STEM Racing lead, and fingers are crossed for the next stage of the competition in March.”