Interview: Rock Engineering
1) Please describe Rock Engineering and your collaboration with SRO
Rock Engineering Limited (REL) is an advanced motorsport engineering company based in the heart of Motorsport Valley near Silverstone in Northampton. REL specialises in chassis, suspension and powertrain technology, and has a track record of designing and building a range of components and systems, from simple individual parts through to full suspensions and chassis systems. REL’s engineers have completed several seasons of British GT championship, supporting teams with engineering resources at various levels. REL is also looking to collaborate with SRO to develop some sustainable products that will create a measurable reduction in carbon consumption for the British GT championship and SRO’s events worldwide.
2) Why is sustainability important to Rock Engineering?
REL has always been passionate about motorsport and the benefits it brings to engineering progress, as well as to individual health and wellbeing through entertainment. REL, however, also has a mission to use engineering to improve access for the wider community and reduce the environmental impact of the sectors it enjoys so much, namely transport and motorsport.
3) Can you tell us more about one of your products called Rock Climber?
RockClimber™ is the first step to achieve this mission. RockClimber is a unique ultra-high mobility vehicle that has been designed and manufactured in-house. The goal for the project was to use the latest methods and thinking from mainstream electric vehicle technology, combined with our experience in suspensions and powertrain, to produce a vehicle that would demonstrate what could be possible in terms of mobility and accessibility, in this case specifically for the disabled community.
4) How can Rock Climber be used in SRO events to make them more sustainable?
RockClimber is a technology demonstrator that contains several unique features that can be used in a motorsport setting to improve sustainability, safety and operational costs. As a first step REL sees an opportunity to create a carbon-free paddock. Currently SRO’s events and supporting races require the use of upwards of forty quad bikes to service and support the teams over a racing weekend. REL has developed an electric paddock vehicle concept that would replace these vehicles with highly efficient, low-cost vehicles that require no recharging over the weekend. They have the towing capacity to exceed current requirements, but use low-power, high-efficiency motors that run silently and safely (using low speed) in the paddock.
5) In which fields do you see Rock Engineering working together with SRO on building a sustainable future for motorsports?
Beyond the paddock vehicle project, REL see a lot of areas in which the two organisations can work together. REL believes strongly in the use of inclusive engineering to develop solutions that will make a measurable decrease in carbon consumption. Carbon offsetting has its benefits, but engineering should be employed to reduce carbon emissions. REL have the experience and knowledge of the eco-system and life-cycle of a championship, and it would use this experience to work with SRO on identifying opportunities to improve sustainability and reduce carbon consumption through engineering projects.