Back to experiences
Competition
The S-RC Cup
Students design, build, and race remote control cars, gaining hands-on STEM experience and motorsport career insights.
Competition
Students design, build, and race remote control cars, gaining hands-on STEM experience and motorsport career insights.
The S‑RC Cup is a national engineering challenge where students design, build and race their own high‑performance 1:10 scale electric RC race car. Working in teams, students take on the roles of a real motorsport engineering team—designing their car, developing its performance, and competing at a regional race event against schools across England, Scotland and Wales. The fastest teams progress to the National Final, where the champions take home the S‑RC Cup trophy, motorsport prizes, and a place engraved on the official Cup.
All cars are fully electric, introducing students to future-focused technologies such as battery systems, energy efficiency and electric powertrains. Along the way, teams develop practical engineering skills as well as teamwork, communication and project management—supported by university mentors and industry volunteers.
Teams can use the official S‑RC kit chassis or build their own design using provided CAD files and standard workshop tools. A structured education programme, online portal and mentor support help schools take part confidently, whether they are new to engineering or already experienced.
Team formats
• Standard: 3–6 students (Years 8–10)
• Hybrid: 3–6 students (mix of Years 8–10 and up to two in Years 11–13)
• Pro: 2–3 students (Years 11–13)
Cost
Entry to the S-RC Cup competition is free.
Teams will need to build their race car, which typically costs around £200 in parts and materials. Teams are encouraged to fundraise or secure local sponsorship, and the S-RC Cup team provides guidance and resources to help teams do this.
Locations
Open to schools across England, Scotland and Wales.
Each team competes at their nearest regional event. Regional race events are selected to suit locations of schools involved, minimising distance travelled for schools.
Timeline
• Registration: July–October
• Car development: September–December
• Race season: January–July
Deadline: 1 January (late applications roll into the following season)
Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
Creativity - Using imagination and generating new ideas
Leadership - Supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal
Listening - Receiving, retaining and processing information
Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
Speaking - Transmitting information or ideas
Adapting - Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal
What the teachers sayLog in to write a testimonialWe would love to read all about your time with this experience!
Secondary
Connect your students with working engineers online.
Secondary
A masterclass in engineering design: how to design world beating products by breaking complex products into simple components.
