Athlone team sets off for STEM Racing world finals in Singapore
In the early hours of this morning (Wednesday), a three-student team from Athlone's Marist College set off on the long journey to Singapore to compete at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals.
The event, formerly known as F1 in Schools, is taking place alongside the Singapore Airlines Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Blitz Racing team from the Marist College earned a place at the global finals by winning the national F1 in Schools competition in the University of Limerick in May 2024.
The team consists of sixth year Marist student Bruce Hollmann, from Coosan, along with Mohammed Hamzah Mateen from Cityquarter, Athlone, and Boris Zhang from Coosan.
Mohammed and Boris completed their Leaving Cert this year and have just started college, with Mohammed studying medicine in Trinity College and Boris studying mechatronic engineering in DCU.
Teams from 32 countries will be competing in the STEM Racing finals, having been challenged to form their own Formula 1 team and to design, build, test, and race an approximately 25cm scale model 'Car of the Future' powered by compressed gas.
At the world finals, the teams present their cars, pit displays, portfolios, and verbal presentations to judges, with races taking place on a 20-metre track where cars cover the distance in just over a second.
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Coosan’s Boris Zhang, of the Marist College 'Blitz Racing' team, pictured this week ahead of the team’s trip to Singapore for the STEM Racing World Finals.Image 2 of 3
The scale model Formula 1 car designed and built by the Marist College team.Image 3 of 3
Boris showing some of the local sponsors featured on the Blitz Racing team's uniform.The Marist College has a proud history of success at F1 in schools events, winning the world title in 2016 and also competing at a world finals in Singapore, with the 'Catalyst Racing' team in 2023.
Two of the school's teachers, Jack Kearney and Paul Hardiman, will be travelling with the Blitz Racing team on their Asian adventure this week.
"We've put months of effort into every detail, from engineering to sponsorship, and we're determined to do the Marist proud," said project manager Bruce Hollmann.
"It's been a huge challenge balancing competition work with school, but we're ready to give it everything."
When asked why the school has enjoyed so much success at these events over the years, Boris Zhang said: "We like to think it's the Marist spirit!
"Honestly, it's just the commitment that all the boys have given to it over the years. We all know that this is a very good competition to be part of, and if we can do well it will not only raise up the school but it will help us with our own lives as well."
Boris said it will be a great achievement if the local team could reach the top ten in the competition.
"It's a very, very high standard and there are teams from over 30 countries worldwide taking part," he said.
The event begins this Saturday, September 27, and continues until October 2 at Resorts World Sentosa, where the 400 competitors will showcase their skills in engineering, design, enterprise and teamwork.
A university scholarship, the world championship trophy, and more than 15 specialist awards - each supported by a Formula 1 team or industry partner - will be up for grabs at the world finals.
Boris Zhang said the Athlone team was continuing to seek donations from the public to help offset the costs of the Singapore trip. "We would be truly grateful for your support no matter the amount," he said.
Donations can be made on the team's GoFundMe page here.