Oman Air help school kids live the Formula One dream

The five students from The Sultan’s School in Oman, three girls and two boys aged 16 and 17, entered the Middle East leg of the Championship, held in May in Dubai. Against stiff competition they emerged as outright winners and also collected two out of the three category awards for best team identity and best verbal presentation, only missing the award for fastest car by the narrowest of margins. Their success qualified the team, known as Team Neon, for a place in the World Championship Finals, but the expense of getting to London presented a major problem.
 
Fortunately, Oman Air came to the rescue.
 
“Each member of Team Neon is a high-achieving innovator, has demonstrated ambition and initiative and is a great ambassador for Oman. We wish the team every possible success in meeting this challenge and Oman Air is proud to be able to play a part in putting them on the fast track to success,” said c orporate communications and media manager Usama Karim Al Harem
 
F1 in Schools was launched as a challenge in which teams of students work together to design, analyse, manufacture and test miniature gas-powered balsa wood F1 cars, which are then raced down a 20 metretrack. The teams also replicate a Formula One pit garage/display for their cars, create team wear and even develop marketing programmes.  The initiative aims to inspire students to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership and teamwork, media skills and financial strategy. The F1 in Schools World Championship Finals 2009 sees teams from around the world, of up to six students each, compete to design, build and race the miniature F1 cars.

Team Neon was formed at The Sultan’s School, Oman, with the support of the school’s Head of Physics, Brian Stewart, who says:

 “F1 in Schools is a really exciting way for students to learn how physics can be applied to the world around us and everyone at The Sultan’s School is incredibly proud of Team Neon’s achievements.
 
“We are also very grateful to Oman Air, without whose support travelling to London to take part in the F1 in Schools World Championship Finals may not have been possible. Not only will Oman Air’s help enable Team Neon to try for the World Championship title, but it will allow them to explore one of the world’s great cities – an opportunity that may otherwise not have been open to them.”
 
The Sultan’s School was established in 1977 under the sponsorship of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman to offer high standards of bilingual education leading to International GCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma qualifications. The school has an excellent record of students being offered places at Arab or Western universities.
 
Sara Ferwati, the Team Manager of Team Neon, says:
 
“It is an honour to be the first Arab youth team to participate in the global F1 in Schools World Championship 2009 , especially as we will be the first Omani students to take part. We are so grateful to have this opportunity and our aim now is to represent our country and school to the best of our abilities.”