PETRONAS BRINGS F1 EXCITEMENT TO 6,500 SCIENCE STUDENTS IN PERAK

Fun-Filled Learning Experience with Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica
31 March 2009 was not just any ordinary school day, but the day the Formula One dream came true for 6,500 science students from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and some 75 secondary schools in Perak.
Not only they met with the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, they also had the opportunity to participate in a series of fun and exciting activities with the two Formula One stars and watch the duo in action in a special demonstration at UTP.

The event was organised by PETRONAS to bring the exciting and innovative experience of Formula One among young Malaysians in conjunction with the 2009 PETRONAS Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, which is taking place from 3 to 5 April 2009 at the Sepang F1 Circuit.

Among the 6,500 students, 500 were among the best of science stream students from 75 secondary schools within Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan and Perak Tengah. They were invited by PETRONAS and the State's Education Department to take part in the one-day programme together with the engineering and information technology students of UTP.

In one of the activities, the 500 students were led by the F1 drivers to build the most sustainable Formula One vehicle using natural materials, such as bamboo, wood and recyclable items. No two models were alike as each group used its own unique creativity to shape the appearance of the car. The car that "traveled" the furthest was declared the winner by Heidfeld and Kubica.

These Form Four and Five students not only got the chance to interact with the two F1 drivers, they were also taught to value the natural resources and energy in everyday life, as well as the critical importance to appreciate, conserve and protect nature.Also engaged in the activity were personalities from the PETRONAS Motorsports family -including PETRONAS Formula Xperience (PFX) Racing School graduate and Team Holzer PFX driver Dominic

Ang who currently competes in the Formula BMW Pacific series, as well as the riders from the PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Racing Teams who compete in the domestic PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship and PETRONAS FIM Asian Grand Prix.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Heidfeld and Kubica, together with BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen and Team Advisor Mr Peter Sauber, also judged for the UTP F1 Innovative Design Race Contest, which aimed at encouraging students in the university to participate in the basic design of an engineering project useful in the automotive industry, especially Formula One.
There were also exhibitions and interactive activities conducted by PETRONAS Motorsports and PETROSAINS, the science discovery centre of PETRONAS. PFX Racing School held a sharing session with the 6,000 students in UTP on the career prospects in motorsports with PETRONAS.
The one-day programme was designed to bridge the fast-paced world of motorsports and education, giving the opportunity to the 6,500 students to take a closer look at Formula One with an underlying aim of nurturing their interest in science and technology.