The 2012 Formula Student competition may be over but CPUT’S Cape Speed team are still hard at work.

The group, who made history by becoming the first university team from Africa to complete all stages of the competition, spent the past few weeks showcasing the Formula One car at schools across the Western Cape.

The roadshow was organised by the BTech Public Relations class and ran throughout October.

The team not only showed-off their impressive formula one car, but gave learners an overview of the courses on offer at the university’s Engineering Faculty.

IMPRESSIVE: CPUT’s formula one car was showcased at Western Cape schools

Engineering lecturer Felicity Harris says the formula one car was also on display at the university’s Bellville and Cape Town campuses. 

 “The idea is to spark interest in the project and competition,” says Harris.

An annual competition, it draws students from across the globe who battle it out on the racing track in formula one cars, which they designed and built. This year saw teams compete at Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

The road show also included a brunch event at the Bellville campus, which allowed the Cape Speed team to acknowledge their sponsors and supporters.

Student Rushdia Benjamin says the team’s achievement would not have been possible without the support of their lecturers, which include Associate Prof Oscar Philander, Eugene Erfort, Morne Riddles and Harris.

CPUT is planning to compete in the 2014 Formula Student competition and will recruit a new team early next year.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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Engineering students and lecturers involved in the building of the Formula 1 racing car that will compete at Silverstone in the UK ­were given a warm send-off recently.

Relatives, friends, and colleagues of the Cape Speed­ Team descended on the International Departures section of the airport to wish the team well for their trip.

Clad in their blue CPUT blazers and matching scarves the team looked every inch the winners they are as they jet off for a three-week trip where they will be participating in the 2012 Formula Student competition in which 110 universities are participating.

“We wish you all the best. We are sure it is going to be good there and hope you are going to do well,” Severus Cerff of the Marketing and Communication Department says.

Speaking on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, Cerff thanked everybody who was involved.

Anar Daniels, co-host with Reddy D on Good Hope FM, also gave some words of motivation to the team. “Go to London and represent Cape Town and South Africa. It is a huge achievement to be the only university to represent South Africa at such an event. Even if you come back with nothing you are still our ambassadors,” he says amid cheers from the well-wishers.

Chesire’ Adriaan, an engineering student and member of the Cape Speed team says the days before their departure was a big rush.

“We had to get all things done in time for our trip. Our visas, team building exercises, presentations to prepare, and finally packing of the luggage,” he says.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT is calling all car enthusiasts to make their way to the Bellville Campus this weekend for the “Cape Speed, Show and Shine” event.

The car show will take place at the university’s Sports Field and give car enthusiasts an opportunity to show off their wares, from vintage to show cars.

This fundraising event is in aid of the group of Mechanical Engineering students who will compete in the 2012 Formula Student competition in the UK during July.

The group will race against students from across the globe in a Formula One car that they designed and built by themselves.

This is the first time CPUT will compete in the competition, which to top it all off, CPUT is the only South African university to secure a place in this year’s competition.

Event organiser Dean Jacobs encourages CPUT staff members and the public to come out in support of the students.

“We would like people to come out and participate in this exciting event. It gives car enthusiasts an opportunity to share their passion with their families,” says Jacobs.

Jacobs says visitors to the event will have access to a variety of stalls selling food to car parts. There will also be a kiddie’s corner featuring a jumping castle and other exciting games.

The event will take place on 2 June from 10:30am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is R20 per person, R10 per child under 12 and R50 for families of four to five. Children under the age of 2 enter for free.

The event is organised by the Engineering Faculty in conjunction with Maxdup Media and SSJ Concepts.

For more information on the event contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 072 664 1886

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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The CPUT Formula One car was put through its final paces at the Killarney Race Track in preparation of being shipped off to Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

This is the first time CPUT will compete in the 2012 Formula Student competition, and the institution is the only South African university to secure a place in this year’s competition.

CHECKS: The team of students and lecturers do some checks on the car.

Mechanical Engineering Lecturer Eugene Erfort says students will have to compete in a number of events, including a 22km endurance race.

He says the car passed the test at Killarney with flying colours.

One of the tests focused on how the car would perform during this endurance race as well as its fuel consumption.

“We are very pleased with the results,” he says.

And with the car meeting all requirements, lecturer Felicity Harris says the team will spend the next few days preparing it for freighting.

And while the car makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean, the Engineering Faculty together with the Adaptronic Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory and Public Relations Department will host the “Cape Speed, Show and Shine” car show on 2 June 2012.

This family-friendly car show, which will take place at the Bellville Campus, is a fundraising event for the students who will travel to the UK in July.

Organiser of the event Dean Jacobs says the show will give car enthusiasts an opportunity to show off their vintage and show cars.

For more information on the event contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 072 664 1886

By Candes Keating

Photographs by Mpho Ndou

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CPUT’s formula-one racing car is set to be showcased at CPUT campuses and schools during the next few weeks.

The Formula Student Roadshow, which kicks off on the Bellville Campus on 4 September 2014, is aimed at recruiting students from across faculties who will start work on CPUT’s third racing car.

The Formula Student project was established in 2011 under the mentorship of staff in the TIA Adaptronics AMTL, with the aim of developing automotive and motorsport engineers in South Africa.

In 2012 CPUT made their debut in the Formula Student competition in the UK, an international event that tasks students to design and build a Formula One race car.

This year the team returned to Silverstone with a new formula-one racing car, named Prins.

The team, known as CAPESPEED, is not only limited to engineering students, but students from all disciplines are welcome to be part of the next team who will compete in the 2016 Formula Student competition.

This year the team included students from Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Public Relations, Film and Video, Hospitality, Internal Auditing and Marketing.

To catch a glimpse of Prins visit the Roadshow at the following venues:

• 4 September 2014:Bellville Campus – Walkway at the Major Sports Hall and Auditorium from 10am
• 29 September: Cape Town Campus –Piazza from 11am

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.