The offshore industry is now recognising the potential of utilising hybrid power linked to innovative propulsion systems. However, the cost of adopting hybrid technology on retrofit projects and new vessels requires a viable business case to justify higher capital expenditure (CAPEXI).

Offshore maritime cannot afford to go 'green' for no reason, there simply is not the margin to add on another layer of costs. They need a viable business case of they need a compliance case/ Which raises the burning question - how can the offshore sector finance hybrid power?

Other transport sectors around the world are successfully utilising hybrid systems. Automotive manufacturers including Tesla and BMW are re-defining energy possibilities for land transport. The technology is transitioning from high performance automobiles to city buses and the future of aviation. 

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is rated 1 to 9. Component parts of maritime hybrid powertrains typically achieve TRL8. By definition this is, 'actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration'. But maritime needs to move up to TRL9, 'actual system proven through successful mission operations'. 

To continue reading, please click here.

Internationally acclaimed high-performance brake system design, development and manufacturing company, Alcon Components Ltd, signed the British Armed Forces Covenant at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday 5th July 2019.

In signing this covenant, Alcon undertakes a commitment to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces communities. It provides more formal recognition of the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to the business and to the country.

The Armed Forces representative of the signing, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Coton, Commanding Officer of 16 Regiment Royal Artillery said: "On behalf of the Armed Forces I am privileged to be able to sign the Armed Forces Covenant with Alcon Brakes at Goodwood's iconic Festival of sPeed. In signing today, you join over 200 organisations in the UK who have made a similar commitment". He added: "The Armed Forces Covenant relies on those people, communities, and British businesses to actively support it in making a difference.So, the commitments you have made today formally enshrine what we know you have already done for many years and are doing every day - to support the employment of service leaders and reservists in your workforce, their spouses and families, the wounded, injured and sick. I thank you whole-heartedly for these commitments."

Signing the Armed Forces Covenant has been a natural extension of the 'Mission Automotive' initiative, of which Alcon is a founding member. Mission Automotive helps companies to access and retain ex-forces talent and delivers sustainable and relevant employment opportunities for service leavers, veterans and their spouses. Mission Automotive is delivered by Mission Motorsport, the Forces' Motorsport Charity in partnership with the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with the support of the Ministry of Defence. 

James Cameron, CEO of Mission Motorsport said: "Alcon are an accomplished and innovative company whose products have international impact in motorsport, in automotive and in other areas where their name is less well known - including military applications. They have for many years been staunch supporters of Service causes, looking to make a difference through their work to help those whose lives have been impacted by military service. A leader in the industry, their support of the wider Mission automotive initiative, encouraging others to follow in their footsteps forms powerful advocacy and is to be celebrated."

Alistair Fegusson, Group Managing Director at Alcon said: "We're honoured to have been invited the sign the Armed Forces Covenant today and also, to announce our involvement in Mission Automotive. We're committed to supporting the Armed Forces communities in any way we can. We recognise the considerable talent on offer as people leave the Armed Forces and the contribution they can make to a business environment such as ours, post-service." He added: "Aside from our core motorsport business, Alcon has been solving braking problems in the defence and security sectors for over 10 years. We're now the preferred supplier of bespoke performance braking systems to several major global defence behicle manufacturers, helping to save lives across the world."

For further information contact:

Bill Waddell

Alcon Specialist, Armoured and Defence Business Development Manager

Email: bill_waddell@alcon.co.uk

You Don't Have to Be a Champion... to Be a Winner! - Brian Sims

Paperback ISBN 9781528934053        RRP: £13.99     RRP: $16.95

Ebook ISBN 9781528967716               RRP: £3.50       RRP: $4.95

A chance meeting on a plane with Max Mosely offered him the chance of managing one of the most famous F1 Grand Prix circuits. This, in turn, led to the heady heights of a works drive for Mercedes and the establishment of South Africa's first racing driver school.  

It was only a matter of time before Brian's exceptional sponsorship acquisition skills took him to F1, where he quickly made a name for himself by securing multi-million-pound deals with three of the most sought-after global corporations.

However, Brian's greatest achievement in motorsport was to establish the Motorsport Industry Association in 1994, in a bid to secure Government recognition of the industry. Once again, Brian's sales skills played a key role. Without ever becoming a household name as a motor racing champion, Brian's story of how we most definitely became a Winner is not only inspirational but highly entertaining, amusing, often irreverent and informative.

"Many friends, family and business colleagues commented on what a colourful, exciting life I have led. It made me decide to write a book about it to encourage other people to go out and achieve their objectives, albeit their skill set may be quite low, as mine undoubtedly was" - Brian Sims

About the Author

Born in Chiswick in 1946, the son of a wartime RAF pilot, Brian was educated at Hounslow College.

A few years later, as a Xerox salesman, his exceptional selling skills helped him acquire the sponsorship necessary to embark on what was to become a professional motorsport driving career. These same skills eventually took him to Formula 1, as the Marketing Director of the Lola Ferrari and the Benetton Grand Prix teams. In a fascinating career, Brian also becomes the Founder of the prestigious Motorsport Industry Association, Manger of the Kyalami F1 Circuit in South Africa, a Sky TV motorsport presenter, A Guest Lecturer for the World Academy of Sport and the author of two highly acclaimed sponsorship books.

Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2018 by Birmingham City University, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the motorsport industry. Brian has also spent the last few years in the Academic world as an F1 and motorsport industry consultant to both Oxford Brookes and Wolverhampton universities. He is also a regular columnist for the prestigious Paddock Magazine and now lives in Shrewsbury with his South African born wife, Liz.

You Don't Have to Be a Champion... to Be a Winner! by Brian Sims is published by Austin Macauley Publishers and is available on Austinmacauley.com, Amazon and all good booksellers. 

For more information, please visit https://www.briansims.co.uk/

Press contact: Janine Hornsby - janine.hornsby@austinmacauley.com

Phone: 0207 038 8212

Notes:

1. With offices in London, New York and Sharjah, Austin Macauley is an independent publisher of fiction, non-fiction and eBooks: www.austinmacauley.com

2. Author images and review copies are available on request - please contact Janine Hornsby to discuss.

3. Authors is available for interview or promotion events – please contact Janine Hornsby to discuss.

4. Orders can be placed via Bertrams, Gardners and Ingram, or directly via Austin Macauley at a 40% discount - please contact Janine Hornsby to discuss.

5. Bulk order discounts are available, please contact Janine Hornsby to discuss.

Government announces £80 million investment in next-generation electric cars and planes through Industrial Strategy

from Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK Research and Innovation and The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP

• Collaboration with industry and academia could accelerate development of electric and hybrid aircraft
• Investment comes from modern Industrial Strategy - keeping the UK at the forefront of new vehicle development and tackling climate change.

Government today unveiled an £80 million investment to help develop the next generation of electric vehicles - which could also help develop new hybrid aircraft.

The investment - through the modern Industrial Strategy - will help ensure the UK is able to supply products both in the UK and abroad, to help cut carbon emissions from a range of industries including transport, energy, agriculture and construction.

Development of these new technologies- known as Power Electronics, Electric Machines and Drives (PEMD) see below - will be led by industry and academia and supported by over 130 organisations, collectively offering global reserves of as much as £600 billion.

This collaboration will mean investment, through four key strands, will provide opportunities for UK industries to move away from fossil fuels and create new electric products.

The four key strands are:

• Fast Start Fill the Gaps/Proof of Concept Programmes - a project that aims to fill identified gaps in the supply chain for PEMD;
• Industrialisation Centres - aiming for the UK to develop the next generation of PEMD products such as electric vehicles and hybrid aircraft, as well as providing a focal point for the business community;
• High efficiency, high volume, supply chains - investing in the UK's capability to develop the necessary machining tools for new manufacturing techniques; and
• Low volume, high value supply chains - aiming to help just-in-time manufacturers to sustain long-term growth

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

Companies like Jaguar and Lotus are choosing the UK to develop their new electric vehicles, and Easy Jet and Rolls Royce to develop their hybrid planes - all recognising and investing in the expertise and talents of the UK.

Building on our Faraday Battery Challenge and Battery Industrialisation Centre, this co-investment from Government and industry is a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy, building on our strengths and helping to create the next generation of net zero technologies that will transform entire industries.

The UK leads the world on combatting climate change and is the first major economy for legislate for net zero. This investment is part of the Industrial Strategy 'Future of Mobility Grand Challenge', transforming the way people work and travel.

Key targets include:

• Eliminating diesel rolling stock from UK railways by 2040;
• Accelerating the delivery of electric and hybrid aircraft by 2040; and
• The deliver of zero carbon road transport by 2040

The challenge will deliver technologies that will enable the UK's road, rail, maritime and aviation networks to dramatically reduce emissions.

The programme also supports clean growth by driving costs down and delivering a volume supply chain necessary to deliver low-carbon technologies - building partnerships between industries of all sizes. 

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said:

Driving the Electric Revolution will strengthen the UK's capability to deliver next generation electric vehicles, hybrid aircraft and smart grids. It will ensure these industries, both large and small, are rooted in the UK attracting inward investment into our manufacturing base.

Dr Will Drury, Head of Electronics/Electric Machines Products, Ricardo Automotive/Industrial:

Underpinning the drive to reduce our carbon footprint and decrease global reliance on fossil fuels is electrification. This is occurring across every sector of society from energy generation for our homes to how we move about. Driving Electric Revolution challenge will underpin the growth of the UK supply chain critical to enlarge GDP and jobs in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives; an area in which the UK already has global recognition.

PEMD is a set of cross sectoral products used to change fossil fuel-based systems into electric systems, powered by battery or some other stable electric source.

Power Electronics refers to components used to control and convert electrical power e.g. from direct to alternating current or from higher to lower voltages and vice versa.

Electric Machines are devices which convert electrical energy into mechanical work and vice versa, e.g. electric motors and generators.

Drives refers to the combined control electronics, software and power electronics used to integrate the systems. 

The UK's first ever British electric hypercar, the Lotus Evija, will feature a braking system from Coventry-based AP Racing. 

AP Racing boasts an extensive pedigree in the design of high-performance braking systems for both motorsport and high-performance road cars. This made the company an appropriate partner when Lotus was seeking brake calipers for the Evija, which can reach speeds in excess of 200mph.

The forged calipers being supplied to Lotus have been designed to minimise weight without compromising on performance - a key consideration in all electric vehicles. 

The calipers incorporate AP Racing's patented asymmetric design, whereby the deflected shape of the caliper under brake torque and pressure loading is optimised to reduce volumetric consumption - effectively the brake pedal travel.

They are the forerunners of a brand new range of forged performance calipers which will be launched later this year. The front calipers weigh around 7kg including brake pads - significantly lighter than other products offering equivalent performance. 

(Picture credited to Lotus Cars)

Phil Jackson, key account engineer at AP Racing, explained: "We have worked with both Lotus and Williams Advanced Engineering who are responsible for the powertrain on the Evija for many years, and were delighted that they came straight to AP Racing when seeking forged calipers for their first EV hypercar.

"While relatively light by hypercar standards (1,680kg), the Evija boasts some of the highest speed and declaration profiles of any vehicle seen to date, so a high-performance solution was needed.

"Our near net forging process allows the removal of excess weight, to keep maching time down to a minimum while optimising strength and performance. This means we have been able to provide a caliper which can deliver the rapid deceleration required, with optimum consistency in pedal travel - which is vital for the driver to be able to trust the braking system."

Just 130 examples of the Lotus Evija will be built, with full production beginning in 2020. Testing will commence later this year.

For further information about AP Racing visit www.apracing.com

• US$500,000 for 2019 W Series winner
• All W Series drivers to receive prize money, down to US$7500 for lowest-placed finishers
• Top 12 drivers in 2019 W Series to receive automatic entry to 2020 W Series
• Drivers below top 12 have option to reapply for 2020 W Series
• FIA Superlicence points to be awarded in 2020 W Series

London, Thursday July 18th - W Series, the new-for-2019 single-seater motor racing series for female drivers only, today announces full details of the 2019 prize money roster and some important details of the 2020 season.

The total prize fund for 2019 is US$1.5 million, to be distributed as follows:

1st place: US$500,000
2nd place: US$250,000
3rd place: US$125,000
4th place: US$100,000
5th place: US$90,000
6th place: US$80,000
7th place: US$70,000
8th place: US$60,000
9th place: US$50,000
10th place: US$40,000
11th place: US$30,000
12th place: US$25,000
13th place: US$20,000
14th place: US$15,000
15th, 16th, 17th and 18th places: US$7500
Reserves: US$7500

The provisional 2019 W Series money list is as follows, with two races still to run (Assen [Netherlands]) on July 20th and Brands Hatch [UK] on August 11th), so all W Series drivers will be pushing as hard as they can at Assen and Brands Hatch to gain places and boost their prize money earnings:

Jamie Chadwick: US$500,000
Beitske Visser: US$250,000
Marta Garcia: US$125,000
Fabienne Wohlwend: US$100,000
Alice Powell: US$90,000
Miki Koyama: US$80,000
Sarah Moore: US$70,000
Tasmin Pepper: US$60,000
Vicky Piria: US$50,000
Sabre Cook: US$40,000
Emma Kimilainen: US$30,000
Esmee Hawkey: US$25,000
Gosia Rdest: US$20,000
Naomi Schiff: US$15,000
Caitlin Wood: US$7500
Vivien Keszthelyi: US$7500
Jessica Hawkins: US$7500
Shea Holbrook: US$7500
Megan Gilkes: US$7500
Sarah Bovy: US$7500

Four drivers are in contention for the US$500,000 top prize: Jamie Chadwick, Beitske Visser, Marta Garcia and Fabienne Wohlwend.

The drivers who finish in the first 12 places in the final 2019 W Series points standings will automatically be invited to enter the W Series. Drivers who finish below the first 12 places will be permitted to apply to enter the driver selection programme for the 2020 W Series. The details, timings and location(s) of that driver selection programme are yet to be finalised. Drivers who have not taken part in this year's W Series may apply to enter the driver selection programme for next year's W Series, as long as they (a) are female and (b) possess an FIA International C licence (or better).

The 2020 W Series will be eligible for FIA Superlicence points. The FIA is currently determining the number of points that will be awarded, and the number of drivers who will receive them.

Catherine Bond Muir (W Series CEO) said:

"The inaugural season of W Series is proving to be a roaring success. The racing is close and competitive, and three drivers have won races so far [Jamie Chadwick, Beitske Visser and Marta Garcia]. With two points-scoring races still to go, at Assen [Netherlands] and Brands Hatch [UK], four drivers can still become W Series champion [Jamie Chadwick, Beitske Visser, Marta Garcia and Fabienne Wohlwend]. There will be prize money for all our drivers, all the way down to last place, but those four will be pulling out all the stops at Assen and Brands Hatch in their efforts to scoop the US$500,000 top prize.

"Building on the ongoing success of W Series this year, next year's W Series will be open to the top 12 points-scoring drivers in the final 2019 W Series points table, and we're already receiving plenty of expressions of interest from other drivers who haven't taken part in W Series so far. The competition for the opportunity to race in 2020 W Series is all about: a highly competitive race series in which the best female racing drivers in the world race one another in state-of-the-art Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 cars, on iconic racetracks, and thereby gain crucial on-track experience which will enable them to progress their careers on and up to more senior single-seater formulae, where they can race - and beat - their male rivals. And from 2020 onwards they'll be earning Superlicence points as they do so."

To view the article in full, please click here. 

Silverstone Classic 26-28 July

JWA Race Engineering - Garage 26

From its inception over twenty years ago, the name of JWA Race Engineering has been synonymous with Historic Motorsport. With the founder and many of the senior staff growing up in the legendary sports car era of the late 60's early 70's and arguably the golden era of iconic cars and characters in Formula one, this is perhaps unsurprising. Add to this mix a fascination with Le Mans and endurance racing and the DNA of the company becomes very apparent.

Having quickly established themselves as a fixture on the Historic scene from their 1998 beginnings, the winning of the 2003 Historic Formula One Championship with a customer's Tyrell O12 rubber stamped their credentials as a race preparation outfit, but equally significantly, as a producer of high quality parts and components. their manufacturing department, initially born from their own frustrations at being unable to rapidly source quality parts between races, was already forging a growing reputation in general motorsport circles. On track success however triggered a significant increase in demand from Historic Racing peers and competitors, as news spread of the Staffordshire outfits reverse engineering ability and understanding of teams crucially important 'right first time, on time, every time' requirement, the speed of this recognition matched only by the growth in popularity of the Historic sector itself.

Fast forward to 2019 and this reputation remains unchanged, in fact it has now spread to the design, manufacture and supply of parts to industries outside of motorsport, however it is undoubtedly racing and Historic racing in particular that the core of this expertise still lies. The team is proud to still be supplying many of those initial customers alongside more recent converts to the fastest growing sector in motorsport today, whilst also providing track support for a number of clients in various Historic Series. One of those series, The Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends, is part of the busiest and most enjoyable date in JWA's calendar, The Silverstone Classic. Held this year over the weekend of July 26-28, the event is a must for Historic Racing fans, with a fantastic mix of nostalgia, music and of course noisy motorsport!

This year JWA will be running a customer's 2008, Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2, not to mention supplying a wide variety of parts for cars on the majority of grids, and the team would be delighted to welcome any fellow MIA members and guests to join them at garage 26 for a chat and a closer look at the fantastic Aston at any stage of the weekend.

JWA contacts over the weekend are;

Friday & Saturday.......................... James Watt 07785 923202

Sunday........................................... Ali Scott 07711 635760

The FIA and IMG have announced details of the FIA World Rallycross Championship's electrification implementation plan for the 2021 season.

For further details about the commercial opportunities and the tender process, interested parties should contact david.gillett@img.com.

Bentley Motors is today announcing the appointment of Paul Williams as Director of Motorsport, replacing Brian Gush who will bring a 20-year Bentley career to a close on 1st August.

Member of the Board for Engineering, Werner Tietz, comments:

"Paul has been an outstanding member of our engineering team for more than 10 years, and as our powertrain expert he is well placed to take on Bentley Motorsport - where his V8 engine faces its toughest tests. He has a passion for racing and he will take our motorsport team from strength to strength. On behalf of Bentley Motors I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the loyal and dedicated service of Brian Gush for the last two decades, and wish him a happy and relaxing retirement."

Williams joined Bentley in 2008, and joins Bentley Motorsport from his current role as Director of Powertrain. During his time in the role, Williams oversaw the design and development of the all-new 6.0-litre W12 engine that powers the Bentayga, Continental GT and new Flying Spur, along with the second generation of Bentley's 4.0-litre V8 engine that also powers the Continental GT3. His successor in that role will be announced in due course, with Williams retaining his current responsibilities until a replacement is appointed. 

Williams comments:

"Running Bentley's motorsport division will be a hugely exciting new chapter in my career. I've been a dedicated follower of our race team since its return to the track in 2013, and have been watching with pride as our second-generation Continental GT3 has racked up the victories so far this year. Succeeding Brian Gush is no small task, and my first job is to maintain the winning momentum that he and the team have generated this year. I can't wait to get started."

Brian Gush leaves Bentley as only its second Director of Motorsport in histroy, with W.O. Bentley himself being the first. Gush joined Bentley in 1999 as Director of Chassis, Powertrain and Motorsport and since then has set about transforming Bentley's engines and returning the brand to its motorsport heritage not once, but twice. He led the re-engineering of Bentley's iconic 6¾-litre V8, returning it to production and developing it to both meet the latest emissions standard and deliver more than 1,000 Nm of torque. He also led the development of the W12 engine and the chassis for the first- and second-generation Continental GT, and delivered the chassis and powertrain for Her Majesty the Queen's Bentley State Limousine.

Gush took Bentley racing after a 70-year absence from the racetrack in 2001,. scoring a surprise third place at the Le Mans 24 Hours before taking a famous 1-2 finish at the 2003 race - Bentley's sixth Le Mans victory. Since 2012, his focus has been the GT3 racing programme developed from the second-generation Continental GT, before taking the all-new third-generation car and launching a new Continental GT3 last year. It is that car that will give Gush his send-off at the upcoming 24 Hours of Spa, with four examples taking on the toughest GT3 race in the word. 

Brian Gush comments:

"My time at Bentley has been the highlight of my career. Bentley afforded me the opportunity to help deliver a car to Her Majesty the Queen while also winning the Le Mans 24 Hours - and surely it's the only brand in the world that could combine those two challenges. I will always have fond memories of the teams I have worked with and the success we shared. I wish Paul the best of luck - he will undoubtedly take Bentley Motorsport to the next level."

Gush leaves Bentley on 1st August, to retire to spend more time with his wife Ginnie and tend to his 1966 Lotus Elan S2, collection of classic British motorbikes and a 1970 Mk1 Escort rally car project.

SPAL Automotive UK has appointed James Coughlan as the new Business Development Manager for the OEM sector.

The world leading designer and manufacturer of axial fans and blowers already supplies most of the major automotive manufacturers from its state of the art production facility at global headquarters in Corregio, Italy. James will be responsible for managing existing accounts and securing new contracts.

James, whose background is in mechanical engineering, joins SPAL UK after 13 years working for various top five tier one automotive suppliers. Previously he held the role of global lead in Sales, managing a $350m program and working in countries including China, Brazil and North America, as well as in Europe.

According to SPAL Automotive UK Managing Director Managing Director Matthew Morris, James bring exceptional experience to SPAL with a rare blend of extensive technical knowledge and strong people skills.

"James knows our industry well and understands our product range from an engineering point of view," Matthew says. "He has spent many years in sales working at the highest level and we're delighted that he's come on board."

For James,the superb manufacturing plant in Italy convinced him that SPAL was the right opportunity for a fresh challenge.

"The SPAL production facility just blew me away. The vertical integration of design and manufacturing are truly impressive. I have worked all over the world and visited many factories, but I would say that the SPAL facility is the best I've seen. I took one look at the levels of customer engagement, investment and resource and decided this was definitely the company for me," he says.

"However, unlike some of the well-known brands I've previously been part of, SPAL remains something of an industry secret, despite it's global scare and strong market position. Getting the recognition that the brand deserves will be part of my challenge - and I'm absolutely looking forward to it!"

James, who is married with two children, lives in Wales and is a keen cyclist,

Full press release available here.

https://www.spalautomotive.co.uk/

Evolution Measurement launch the most significant model of the revolutionary EvoScann® P-Series miniature pressure scanners.

EvoScann® P64-D provides 64-channel high-performance MEMS pressure sensors to ensure high density, high accuracy and measurement of complete aero sections in one compact device. Supplied in true-differential mode across a selection of pressure ranges, including custom ranges, integrated temperature sensors provide observation data and apply digital temperature correction to each of the pressure sensors to ensure optimal performance and correct for ambient effects. For optimal accuracy, a reference tubulation is provided to connect to a stable static source.

EvoScann® P-Series has been a significant success since its release in 2017. It's unique, compact dimensions have enabled users to make the measurements as close as possible to the desired test locations. With its ultra-low profile and restricted height, they can be placed in very narrow sections to gather data as quickly and accurately as possible with negligible frequency response effects.

In consultation with many customers in the motor-sport world, the need was identified for a higher density scanner that could measure pressures accurately and quickly in very confined spaces, that are also often subjected to high temperatures and much vibration. EvoScann® P-Series is ideal for a wide range of applications, often being inserted directly inside an aerofoil section where it provides no disturbance to the airflow.

Weighing-in at less than 110g and encapsulated in a carbon fibre reinforced shell, EvoScann® P64-D transmits accurate, fast data, in engineering units, directly to the test article's central processing unit over CANbus.

"The P64-D demonstrates a significant step forwards in electronics and sensors integration, our engineers have done an amazing job to be able to develop a high channel count in such a small package and be able to drive the measurement performance levels that the P64-D delivers. We are really excited by the possibilities it presents." said Paul Crowhurst, Managing Director of Evolution Measurement.

"Not only have we created the most compact 64 channel pressure scanner available, but the integrated on board digital signal processing delivers high reliability, digital data under the most extreme conditions." EvoScann® P-Series is designed to allow quick and easy customisation of the products to suit a wide range of applications. This allows users to have the product adapted to suit their most challenging applications, taking such measurements into places never before possible.

Websites: www.evolutionmeasurement.com

www.evoscann.com

Stakeholders from industry and academia are invited to hear the latest developments and progress of the Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, one of the new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Wave 3 Challenges.

Over recent weeks there has been a great deal of activity carried out by the UKRI team which will enable the programme to be signed off by Government and to launch. Recent completed activities have included; an industry negotiation period discussing funding; the final development of the Challenge business case and the associated delivery plan. We are now in the final approval stages and look forward to the formal start of the Challenge in the near future. 

These events are important to attend for stakeholders interested in the funding opportunities in the Challenge will offer, to hear the latest news and ask questions of the Challenge Delivery Team.

To attend, simply click on the relevant link below. Note that it you can't attend an event in person, a webcast is being run. 

17 July, Birmingham - https://iscf-drivingelectricrevolution-birmingham.eventbrite.co.uk

17 July, webcast - https://iscf-drivingelectricrevolution-webcast.eventbrite.co.uk

30 July, Newport - https://iscf-drivingelectricrevolution-newport.eventbrite.co.uk

8 August, Belfast -  https://iscf-drivingelectricrevolution-belfast.eventbrite.co.uk

August, Scotland - final date and venue to be confirmed.

Paul G Huggett

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Electronics

paul.huggett@ktn-uk.org

• On board footage shows driver Rhys Millen pushing the Continental GT to the limit on the mountain
• Continental GT set outright production car record at Pikes Peak International Hill climb 2019, completing the course in 10m18.488s

8 July 2019, Crewe - In its centenary year, Bentley is celebrating another record-breaking run at the world famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the release of two new films.

Join driver Rhys Millen (NZ) on board the Bentley Continental GT as a new outright record for production cars is set by 8.4 seconds. A camera mounted to Rhys' race helmet reveals footage from a driver's point-of-view as he tackles the 156 corners, climbing almost 5,000ft in 10m18.488s.

A second film released today covers Bentley's event highlights from the race build-up, helicopter footage of the run and post-race reactions from the Bentley team and Rhys Millen.

The Pikes Peak Project was supported by Bentley's technical partners, Mobil1, Lifeline, Brembo SGL Group and Pirelli, and by exhaust partner Akrapovič.

On board film: Bentley YouTube - youtu.be/te3K0-Q_sPU

Pikes Peak highlights film: Bentley YouTube - youtu.be/YiK743fpAgg

To view the article in full, and view images, please click here. 

Silverstone and the British Racing Driver's Club (BRDC) are delighted to announce that the Formula 1® British Grand Prix will continue to be held at Silverstone until at least the end of 2024. The agreement between Formula 1, the BRDC and Silverstone Circuit was signed yesterday in London, in the run up to the FORMULA 1 ROLEX BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2019 weekend.

The BRDC has been the custodian of Silverstone for 70 years - owning and operating the circuit, which is the only venue licensed to run a Grand Prix in Great Britain. The organisation has invested £50m over the last 10 years to develop Silverstone - creating a world-class venue for fans to enjoy one of the great global sporting events. This weekend's event will attract over 340,000 spectators making it one of the best attended Grand Prix in the world.

John Grant, Chairman of the BRDC, said:

"Silverstone is one of the most iconic Grands Prix on the F1 calendar and with such a rich heritage it would have been disastrous for the sport and fans had we not managed to find a way forward. 2020 will be the 70th anniversary of the first round of the World Championship which took place at Silverstone on 13th Mary 1950 and will make next year's event all the more special. This is great news for the BRDC, Silverstone and Formula 1- and for millions of British motor racing fans".

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said:

"The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is rightly recognised as one of the highlights of both the F1 championship and the annual British sporting calendar. This is thanks to our track being one of the greatest drivers' circuits in the world but also the enormous passion for motor racing that exists in the loyal and knowledgeable fans that we have in this country. The prospect of not hosting a Grand Prix at Silverstone would have been devastating for everyone in the sport and I am delighted that we are here today, on the eve of what is sure to be a fantastic event, making this positive announcement about the future."

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1® said:

"We are really pleased to confirm that the British Grand Prix will stay on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar for at least the next five years, with the event remaining at its longstanding home, Silverstone circuit. We have always said that, if it is to have a long-term future, our sport must preserve its historic venues and Silverstone and Great Britain represent the cradle of this sport, its starting point back in 1950. Today, Formula 1 is a global sport, held on five continents, watched by an audience of over 500 million fans around the world and our aim is to grow this number by bringing the sport we love to new countries, while also maintaining its roots: Silverstone and the British Grand Prix are an integral part of that vision."

Great Britian has played a vital role in the sport's history and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Seven of the ten teams competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship are based in the UK, with motorsport being an important economic and technological contributor to the country. This year Great Britian also has the largest number of drivers on the grid, with five times world champion Lewis Hamilton joined by the talented Lando Norris and George Russell.

See the full press release from the BRDC here. 

Unique UK success story commits future to Coventry HQ

AP Racing, the world-leading manufacturer of performance brake and clutch systems, has announced a major seven-figure investment in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility adjacent to its current headquarters in Coventry.

The investment follows further sustained growth for AP Racing - one of the most famous names in global motorsport.

The 2,700m2 facility at the Seven Stars Industrial Estate, set to become operational from the end of July, will incorporate leading-edge production line technology for brake calipers, with some of the most sophisticated equipment of its kind anywhere in the automotive sector worldwide. Indeed, it is seen as an exemplar facility for other global locations within the Brembo Group of which AP Racing is a part.

A multi-million pound noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) dynamometer will also be installed to create a truly world-class testing capability.

The expanded facility will allow AP Racing to accelerate its rate of new product development and manufacture, with numerous new brake and clutch launches planned for its key motorsport, OEM road car and performance upgrade markets throughout the rest of 2019, and beyond. 

AP Racing managing director, David Hamblin, explained: "Since moving to our current facility in 1990, the company has established an enviable worldwide reputation for innovation and performance across the motorsport, road car and performance upgrade markets. Our products are used widely in Formula 1 as well as the other major motorsport series across the globe, and have chalked up more than 800 race victories in Formula 1 alone, which we believe is more than any other supplier. 

"Our continued success means we have simply outgrown our current space. The new facility will focus primarily on medium volume production for niche road car applications - a rapidly growing area for AP Racing - while niche race car clutch and brake production will continue at the existing facility.

"As a UK company and a global leader, we are delighted to commit our future to Coventry, in the UK's industrial heartland with its strong automotive tradition. We have an outstanding team and see the new facility as the precursor to even further expansion and success in the years to come.

For more information on AP Racing visit www.apracing.com

In the same year SPAL Automotive UK celebrates 10 years as the sales and warehousing arm of leading Italian designer and manufacturer of high performance axial fans and centrifugal blowers, the team bids farewell to one of its biggest personalities and greatest salesman. After 7 amazing years, Kevin Aldrich is stepping down as OEM Business Development Manager.

Matthew Morris, MD SPAL UK who did the honours by staging the retirement send-off says:

"Kevin leaves behind an impressive legacy as a key player in the successful team who secured a substantial supply contract for a major global automotive manufacturer in 2018. Kevin was the notable front man who worked closely with the SPAL factory in Italy and the automotive engineers of leading car makers to identify new business opportunities for SPAL's range of brushless motor axial fans and centrifugal heater blowers. 

"The ultimate professional salesman, customers will recall his boundless energy and real passion in conveying the fantastic features and benefits of SPAL's advanced thermal management technology; as well as his total commitment to delivering a bespoke solution to any cooling conundrum.

"A big presence in all senses of the word, he will be missed. We wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement."

Pictured: Matthew Morris, MD SPAL UL, Kevin Aldrich

Further Info: Tel: 01384 878777 e: info@ddpr.biz

At face value, the gulf between the average family car, and the kind of high-octane machines we see tearing through the streets of F1 circuits in Monaco and Singapore might seem unbridgeable.

In reality however, motorsport has long been the laboratory in which innovative new automotive technology is trialled, and in the DNA of your family car are things first tested on the race track. Paddle-shift gear changers and kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) are a couple of the more exotic innovations to have made it from motorsport into everyday driving, whilst the disc brake is a more humble one that we will all be familiar with. 

As environmental concerns force changes in consumer car design and manufacture, this theme continues in motorsport also. One of the most exciting developments in motorsport in recent years has been the emergence of Formula E, which aims to showcase the rapid progress being made towards delivering high-calibre electric vehicles capable of matching combustion engine vehicles on every front. Formula E is quickly becoming a catalyst for innovation, and an opportunity to showcase that innovation on an international stage. As stated by the organisers of Formula E themselves, the race aims to be a:

"Technological and sustainable development test bed for some of the leading companies in and out of motor racing to address mobility and environmental issues".

Transport remains one of the most innovative sectors of the economy. Indeed, until recently, transport was the most popular category for patent filing at the European Patent Office. Despite an apparent recent drop in the number of transport specific patents filed in the last year, the sector continues to innovate.

In many ways the modest decline in patent filing masks the very high-tech automotive innovation which might not fall into traditional 'transport' filing categories. Sophisticated on-board technology, sensors for safer driving and the complex algorithms that underpin self-driving vehicles, will all be filed under categories more related to software and computing than engines and drivetrains. Machine learning too is a technology with increasingly broad applications in everything from traffic coordination to rail and air traffic control and again is something that may not be captured in the 'transport' category at the EPO.

In motorsport though we see a lack of patenting activity, with the competitive nature of motorsport perhaps acting as a disincentive to the pursuit of patents. Timing can be a significant issue. Technology at the top of the racing pyramid, where most money is spent, can change incredibly quickly and what is successful one season might be overtaken by a new technology in the next. Registering intellectual property like patents is a meticulous process, so isn't always appropriate in the fast paced world of motorsports.

A further disincentive is that it is often the teams themselves that decide which new technologies to allow or prohibit. Technology that is the subject of a patent application will be published by the patent authorities (albeit after a period of 18 months). If a patent application is published and it looks like it relates to a technology that gives a team the edge over its rivals, other teams could well instigate a rule change to outlaw the innovation. So, whilst a team may possess a patent right that they could license out to mainstream auto manufacturers, they will be prevented from using the technology on the race track.

While licensing out the patented technology to offer manufactures may be a lucrative tactic employed in many innovative industries, it seems that traditionally the disadvantages have outweighed the benefits for motorsport teams. 

Despite a novel approach to intellectual property however, motorsport continues to drive the innovation that will define the cars of tomorrow. With their large teams of highly skilled engineers and often huge budgets, the race to deliver cars fit for the future will continue to excite, both on and off the track. A challenge for the industry in general, and race teams in particular, is how they can avoid giving away their innovative technology for free.

Marks & Clerk will be exhibiting at the MIA Business Growth Conference on 11 July. Please feel free to visit the stand where the team will be available to answer any IP related queries. 

Contact: Daniel Wolstenholme Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attoney E: dwolstenholme@marks-clerk.com

AP Racing, the leading manufacturer of performance brake and clutch systems, has announced an exclusive racing brake partnership with carbon composites specialist HITCO, an affiliate of German based SGL Carbon.

Since 2008, AP Racing has exclusively represented HITCO in all markets except Formula 1, Formula 2 and North America. Now, as of July 2019, it has agreed to work closer than ever with the materials supplier across all global motorsport markets. 

"We are extremely pleased to extend our already successful relationship with HITCO to cover braking products across all racing markets," stated David Hambllin, managing director at AP Racing. "Combining our design and application skills and experience with HITCO's comprehensive carbon/carbon materials knowledge allows us to provide customers with class-leading braking products while delivering optimum value."

"We are excited to expand our relationship with AP Racing to include Formula 1, Formula 2 and North America," said Jeff Schade, Vice-President of SGL Technologies LLC, the parent company of HITCO Carbon Composites, Inc. "AP Racing and HITCO have had a successful partnership for over 30 years. This new teaming will allow us to work even closer to support our customers."

AP Racing boasts an unrivalled motorsport pedigree spanning over half a century supplying countless championship-winning Formula 1 teams. The Coventry-based performance manufacturer has worked with HITCO for more than 30 years, delivering carbon brakes to numerous markets including LMP1 and 2, Dpi, DTM and SGT.

HITCO pioneered the first carbon/carbon brakes for Formula 1 in the early 80s. The California-based company holds the distinction of having won Formula 1 World Championships, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500, and having helped NASA land a man on the moon.

As international racing rules continue to evolve and become increasingly stringent, this will ensure high-quality carbon/carbon braking systems are being designed and built to the individual requirements of each series. 

For more information about the companies' products and history, visit www.apracing.co.uk and www.sglcarbon.com

Extreme E, operating partner of Formula E, revealed an adventurous and impactful brant identity today as the ground-breaking motor racing championship continues to take shape.

Unlike any other other concept which currently exists in sport, Extreme E will see electric SUVs race head-to-head in some of the world's most remote and extreme environments. The series is set to revolutionise motorsport and entertainment as it showcases E-SUV innovation and performance, whilst raising awareness, inspiring action and highlighting the global threat of climate change.

Extreme E's competitors will battle across five formidable locations that have already been severely damaged as a result of climate change - the Himalayas, Arctic, Amazon Rainforest, Sahara Desert and an Indian Ocean Island - when the first season gets underway in early 2021. The series is committed to sustainability and will play its part in the restoration of the areas in which it races.

 Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E - operating partner of Extreme E - said: "Sport creates a passionate following like nothing else, and extreme E will use its motorsport platform as an opportunity to raise awareness of critical environmental issues.

"Extreme E is our race to save the planet. From melting ice caps and glaciers, to deforestation and desertification, Extreme E will provide a crucial storytelling platform about the threat and impact of climate change in each location in which we race, and as we lay out the foundations of this brand new sport, it was crucial to design a brand presence which supports this bold mission."

To view the full article, please click here. 

• Continental GT fastest production car ever on world renowned course
• Ultimate Grand Tourer beats International Hill Climb record by 8 seconds
• Continental GT W12, driven by Rhys Millen, completed course in 10:18.488
• Car raced under #100 to recognise Bentley's centenary year
• Follows record-setting run by Bentley Bentayga in 2018

To view the announcement in full, please click here.