Prodrive provide internships to Bahraini students

Prodrive’s design hub and factory in Banbury has been the home to six student interns from three leading Bahraini universities.

The internships have seen them play a part in the design, construction and everyday operations of the World Rally Championship-leading Bahrain Raid Xtreme Hunter cars.

Along with designing parts to be used in the genuine BRX cars competing in the championship, the six interns have also been given hands-on experience in the factory building new chassis that will be used in rallies this autumn in Morocco and Spain.

As well as gaining experience testing engines on the dyno, the students learnt about gearboxes and the future of hybrid power - including how it will be integrated with the sustainable fuel already used in international motorsport with the BRX Hunter T1+.

David Richards, chairman of Prodrive, said: "It’s great for Prodrive to be able to offer these Bahraini Engineering Students the opportunity to have an insight into all the technology behind the Bahrain Raid Extreme Team.

“During their time with us they have learnt how we design, manufacture and run the BRX Hunter on the world’s toughest motorsport event, the Dakar. We have also confirmed that when they finish their studies at university we will consider those who are interested for a full time role within the team.”

Read more - Sky versus sea at the Bournemouth Air Festival

The internship was facilitated by the new electronic visa waiver system, which allows Bahraini and Saudi travellers to visit the UK for six months. This is also due to become even easier in the future, when the UK joins the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Gus Beteli, Head of Performance of BRX, said: “We were very impressed with the students as they were so engaged with how we built up towards Morocco asking so many interesting questions, but because they watch so much F1 they have a deep understanding of what happens when we run alternative tyre compounds, fuel loads and different drivers all against changing weather.”

Among the tasks set for the students, one saw them becoming part of the BRX programme where they were involved in meetings for the preparation for the team’s participation in the upcoming World Rally Raid Championship events in Morocco and Andalucía.

Fareed Abusaqer, one of the student interns, said: “Being in the heart of the Bahrain Raid Xtreme rally team is amazing but I’ve learnt that there is so much else going on here.

"It astonished me to be honest, right from the first day each week has seen us in a different department. I really want to do this as a career and want to follow this high level prototype engineering through.”

Another of the interns, Salman Ahmed, said: “It’s utterly fascinating seeing the engines, chassis and drivetrains being built because we don’t have any motorsport companies in Bahrain so I’ve learnt how the Hunter T1+ car is designed and constructed.

"For me one of the highlights was to see the engine on the dyno. What a great experience we’ve all had.”

Read more - 20,000 attend Beaulieu’s Supercar Weekend