The competition is held every year, in 34 countries worldwide, involving roughly 12 million students. The official competition website describes it as a ‘multi-disciplinary challenge’, which asks pupils from around the world to design, manufacture, test, analyse and then eventually race their miniature Formula 1 cars against other schools.

Callum Mackie (Team Manager), Rohan Beyts (Graphic Designer), Stuart Watson (Resource Manager), Lucy Grant (Manufacturing Engineer), and Callum Jamieson (Aerodynamic Engineer), entered a team into the competition this year. Around the UK, schools are initially split into regions, with The Community School of Auchterarder entering into the Scottish competition – which this year was held at Dundee University on 19th February. The baseline mechanics are applied to each school, with every team powering their car with a carbon dioxide canister that projects the car forward, and basic rules and regulations must be met. However, every other aspect of the car is left to each individual team to design. A folio of work and research is also part of the competition, as is a verbal presentation on the team’s design and development.

Being classed as a ‘Rookie’ team – this is the first time Auchterarder has entered into this competition – the team went into the competition with a positive attitude, but mainly looking for experience. Therefore, at the end of the day when the team came away with a trophy for the Best Rookie Team in Scotland, it was a welcome and well deserved surprise, especially as they were up against 3 other schools that were eligible for the Rookie Award. As a result of this, the team were invited to the National Finals at the Excel Centre in London on the 15th and 16th of March, after presenting an impressive folio and their car taking just 1.172 seconds to travel along a 20 metre straight.

What arguably makes the team’s success more admirable is that the five teenagers ran the competition themselves over 6 months, without any outside or staff help, whereas in other schools, the competition is run as a school subject. Therefore, the team chose to spend their lunch break, free periods, and any spare time developing their car and their folio of work.

Before their trip to London, the team have the chance to make minor modifications to their car, before being judged this month. The competition is run in the same way as in the Regional final, as Rohan explained, ‘we make a verbal presentation to the judges, they ask about the design and manufacturing of the car, and we present our portfolio of the work we have done over the year. It’s also not all about the racing,’ he added, ‘there is also a business side to it and a sponsorship aspect to consider.’

If the team do well in London, they could be on their way to Austin in Texas to compete in the World Finals later this year. However, that is not the only team goal. ‘Because we are the first team to represent our school at the F1 in schools competition, we hope our success will inspire and motivate younger pupils to continue the school’s representation in this competition for years to come. Sponsorship we have received already has gone towards funding both our trip to London, and resources which will help sustain this competition in our school,’ Callum explained.

The team are greatly looking forward to their trip this month, and noted that any additional sponsorship from individuals or businesses would be greatly appreciated, if you would like to sponsor the team and help them in their F1 quest please contact Callum (Team Manager) on 07825616348, or email him at Callmack1995@aol.com.

The team can keep followers up to date on their facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/teamrevolutiontcsoa), and their twitter account, (@RevolutionTCSoA), and Lang Toon Times will post an update on the team’s experience. Best of luck to the team and fingers crossed for further success.

Report By Lisa Mackie

Perth & Kinross Libraries and Information Services are encouraging budding amateur photographers to showcase the natural beauty of our region under the banner “Literary Perthshire”.

We are looking for photographs that capture both Perthshire’s landscapes and literary connections for Perth & Kinross Libraries and Information Services’ photographic competition. Winning pictures will be used as backgrounds on future Library Cards. Photographs will be judged on relevance, composition, lighting, originality and creativity.

There will be 3 winners whose photographs will be used for Library cards and up to 5 commendations may be given – these photographs may be used for Library promotions and activities (with appropriate credits).

The 3 winning entries will each receive a £150 voucher for The Camera Shop, St. Johns Street, Perth and the three runners up will each receive a £50 voucher for The Camera Shop.

The closing date is Friday 31st May 2013 with winners announced at a prize giving ceremony at the end of June.

How to Enter
1.Email your pictures to librarycompetition@pkc.gov.uk with “Literary Perthshire Competition” in the subject heading.
2.Include your full name, address and telephone number with your entry,
3.Please include your age if under 18.
4.Images should be accompanied by a short caption describing where and when the picture was taken and the literary association.
Terms and Conditions
Please read through the following terms and conditions carefully. By submitting your photo(s) you are agreeing to the above terms and conditions.

•The competition closes at 5pm on 31 May 2013, entries received after this time will not be considered.
•Only amateur photographers can enter the competition.
•The competition is open to both residents and visitors to Perth & Kinross.
•A maximum of two entries per person.
•All submissions must be in .jpg format and no larger than 1.5Mb in file size, with a minimum height of 250 pixels and width of 250 pixels.
•Please ensure you have full permission of people featured in your photo and that they are aware you are entering it into a competition. If you photograph any children under the age of 16 please ensure you get full parent/guardian consent.
•No photos will be accepted if they include offensive language or behaviour and scenes that may cause embarrassment.
•Photos will be featured on the council’s website and might also appear in council publications or the press.
•Photos submitted must be your own work.
•Photographs should be taken within the boundaries of Perth and Kinross.
•Your details will only be used in connection with this competition and will not be passed on to any other organisation.
•Perth and Kinross Libraries and Information Service employees are welcome to submit their images, but cannot be part of the competition.

The winning photographs will be touring Scotland throughout 2013. Once the tour has finished the students framed photographs will be sent to the school.

Well done to Holly & Holly.

More information on the Focus Environment website www.focusenvironment.com.