STEM Racing
Join the global, hands-on STEM competition where students design, build, brand and race miniature racing cars!
STEM Racing is supported by Formula 1. Through real-world engineering, marketing, and project management, student teams (open for ages 9 to 19) will develop their race cars and portfolios for the Regional Competition.
The University of Leeds is a Centre of Excellence for local secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber. We can offer design support, manufacturing facilities, and access to a test track, ahead of the Regional Competition on Tuesday 2nd February 2027.
Teachers are responsible for being the main point of contact with the University and overseeing students' projects, often included as extra-curricular activity around the school day. Please note that we cannot respond to student enquiries without a teacher contact.
Key Dates for 2026/27:
- For design support, please submit work by Friday 13th November 2026
- If you would like your cars to be manufactured, please submit designs by Friday 27th November 2026
- Our Test Track event takes place on Wednesday 16th December 2026 at the University of Leeds. You will be allocated a timeslot closer to the date.
- The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Competition takes place on Tuesday 2nd February 2027 at STEM Learning, York
Overview
Design Support
Dr Josh Owen from the School of Mechanical Engineering is available to offer design support to teams on an ad-hoc basis. Please email your design queries to [email protected] by Friday 13th November 2026.
This allows 2 weeks for the designs to be modified before the manufacturing deadline.
Manufacturing Service
Dr Josh Owen from the School of Mechanical Engineering will organise the manufacturing of cars. Please email your design files to [email protected] by Friday 27th November 2026.
Each team can submit a maximum of 3 cars to be printed. There are no costs attached to this service.
Printed cars will be available and returned to you on Wednesday 16th December 2026 at the Test Track event at The University of Leeds.
Test Track Event
On Wednesday 16th December 2026, teams are invited to campus with their teachers to test their printed cars on the STEM Racing track.
You will be given exclusive access to the track for one hour, understanding where modifications need to be made to improve the performance of your cars. Postgraduate engineers, who are Formula One in Schools (now STEM Racing) alumni themselves, will lead the activity.
You will have the option to book a space for lunch before or after your visit, before travelling back to school.
The STEM Outreach team will oversee the activity and can assist with any questions that you may have.
Regional Competition
Register your team/s on the STEM Racing website by selected Entry Class (ages 11-14) and Development Class (ages 11-19).
The regional competition will take at STEM Learning, York with an opportunity to progress to the National and World Finals.