Meet William Tucker, a winner of the IET Somerset and West Wiltshire Local Network Prize

Hello, my name is William Tucker, and I have just finished my studies completing my Foundation Degree in Motorsport Engineering at The University Centre Somerset over the last 2 years. This course appealed to me as it combined both interesting and diverse theory based lessons with hands-on practical work applying and improving upon the previous theoretical studies. Before studying this course, I previously achieved my Level 3 and 2 Extended Diplomas in Motorsport Engineering, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. Around my studies I have also served 2 placements as a Motorsport Technician the first being in a car team doing the UK circuit of tracks through the 750MC and the second being in a motorbike team getting to travel across Europe doing classic endurance racing. I have now gone on to study my BEng (Hons) in Motorsport Technology through Oxford Brookes University as I am keen to broaden my studies and look deeper into the subject I find so interesting.

I took the path to studying motorsport engineering as I have had an interest and passion for pushing the limits of automotive technology as well as looking into the sheer range of areas which can be adapted within a racing car from engine, gearing, chassis and aerodynamics. I especially like looking into the history of motorsport and researching the ingenious and clever solutions to problems that teams and manufacturers have faced over the years and how they pushed their era of technology to the very limit and how those ideas have been improved further to technology we use today.

Being awarded the IET Somerset and West Wilts Local Network Prize definitely gave me a huge sense of pride. The project section of the Foundation Degree was one of the longest and hardest sections of the course requiring long hours and extensive research into materials, coding, electronics and aerodynamics to complete my active spoiler assembly. Being given this award upon my project completion made all that hard work worth it to be formally recognized.

Going into the future I hope to work as a Motorsport Technician working both track side, and in the workshop preparing and maintaining racing cars and being able to apply all the skills I have picked up and learned over the years.

Note from Julie Hudson - A lot of local networks around the world offer prizes to students at local FE establishments. The IET Somerset and West Wiltshire network have been doing this for many years, so a lot of students have benefitted from these prizes. I hope you will all join me in congratulating William on his achievement and wish him well in his future career.