ENGINEERING students got a taste of the real thing when they worked as pit crew members at Brands Hatch.
Two teams of four students at East Surrey College took on the maintenance of a car at the famous racetrack on Saturday.
In the weeks leading up to the event they had prepped the cars to ensure they were running right and ready for the race.
Then on the day they manned the pits – where the cars stop for refuelling or if they have any problems – and oversaw a driver change in the middle of the 45-minute race.
The opportunity arose out of a partnership with racing firm Ockley Motorsports.
Speaking ahead of the big day, Dale Cooper, the college's motor vehicles lecturer, said: "They have spent the last two weeks getting the cars ready and when we get there they will be their responsibility.
"It is a huge opportunity for these guys. We have managed to get down to track days before but to be manning a real race crew is fantastic for them."
The natural competition created by having two cars in the same race had pushed the students even further, he added.
"They have really wanted to get involved," Mr Cooper told the Mirror.
"They have spent a lot of time researching the rules and the cars and getting all the information they can. They have been working out what they can do to the car, within the rules, to make it go faster."
Ahead of the race the eight students, aged 16 to 25, were raring to get going.
Sean Dunk, 25, said: "It gets us real-life experience at a race track.
"It is exciting to be going to Brands Hatch to work on a car."
Antonio Gregori, 17, added: "I am nervous but excited."
John Orr, the owner of Okley Motorsports, approached the college about the link-up after seeing another team do a similar thing.
He said: "The cars are timed on their laps, so the pit stops are crucial. It will be a great experience for them."
Speaking ahead of the race, Mr Cooper was confident his students were ready for the challenge, but admitted he was keeping an eye on them.
"It is up to the them," he said.
"I am quite sure they will be up to it but we will have a last look at the cars before they go out and we'll have extra tools in the van just in case."
