Young Jaguar TCS Racing fan, Ava Beal, penned a hand‑written letter to Team Principal James Barclay with a creative suggestion to install air conditioning to the drivers’ helmets to keep them cool during races.
To commend Ava’s ingenuity and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of International Women in Engineering Day, the team organised a once in a lifetime experience for her primary school in Yorkshire.
Jaguar TCS Racing’s Software and Data Engineer, Lais Campelo S.F. Lima, joined the visit to give an inspirational talk to Ava and her classmates about her role in the team, being a woman in engineering and motorsport, and gave advice to pupils like Ava on how to feel confident to go for opportunities, no matter who they are or their background.
The morning was packed full of excitement for pupils, teachers and staff who were delighted with a surprise appearance from British racing driver Sam Bird. The all‑electric race car, the Jaguar I‑TYPE 6, was also displayed in the playground, giving pupils a close‑up look at the Gen3 car. Ava also had the special experience of seeing how it feels to be a racing driver sat in the cockpit.
The Year 4 pupils also took part in a creative activity, using their imagination to design their very own racetrack after hearing from Lais about the upcoming 2023 Southwire Portland E‑Prix.
Jaguar TCS Racing compete in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, racing at street circuits in various cities across the world and often in some of the hottest conditions.
JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM SURPRISE YORKSHIRE SCHOOLGIRL AFTER SHE PENS LETTER SHARING HER INGENIOUS AND ‘COOL’ TECH IDEA
JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM SURPRISE YORKSHIRE SCHOOLGIRL AFTER SHE PENS LETTER SHARING HER INGENIOUS AND ‘COOL’ TECH IDEA
JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM SURPRISE YORKSHIRE SCHOOLGIRL AFTER SHE PENS LETTER SHARING HER INGENIOUS AND ‘COOL’ TECH IDEA
I was so impressed when I opened Ava’s letter and saw her creative idea. For such a young mind to be suggesting these innovations, and one which is already being used in some motorsport categories, stood out to both myself and the Jaguar TCS Racing team. It highlighted the importance of encouraging creativity and innovation in children from a young age. In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, I was glad we were able to send members of our team and our race car to Crowlees Infant and Junior School to encourage the future generation into STEM subjects and careers in motorsport.
James Barclay
Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal
I think representation is really important and I hope that for the pupils, seeing women in these roles opens up space for them to imagine themselves in such positions. I believe we inspired many of the students to consider careers in STEM and motorsport. It was really great to see the children get so excited about Formula E, Sam Bird and the Jaguar I‑TYPE 6 and it felt like the whole day was a special moment for so many of them, especially Ava. All‑in‑all it was an awesome day.
Lais Campelo S.F. Lima
Jaguar TCS Racing, Data and Software Engineer
It was unbelievable to have the team at Jaguar surprise me at school. I wrote a letter to James Barclay and I never thought that I would have Sam Bird and a race car in my school as a result. I have really big dreams and when I grow up I’d like to be an engineer or a racing driver.
Ava Beal
Pupil at Crowlees I&J School
We had a fantastic morning with the Jaguar TCS Racing team when they came to visit. The children found talking to the engineers, the racing driver and the whole team a truly inspiring experience and getting to actually see a racing car was the icing on the cake! It was an inspirational and exciting morning for all and really emphasised for children that they should follow their dreams and with hard work and dedication who knows what they might achieve!
Kathy Woods
Crowlees I&J School, Head Teacher
Surprising Ava and meeting so many pupils was an amazing experience to be a part of and one I will remember in my career. It is so important young people have experiences like this and we continue to encourage and inspire pupils like Ava to dream big. From a young age I always dreamed of being a racing driver, so I hope that the pupils of Crowlees Infant and Junior School will be inspired to become engineers, racing drivers or whatever they want to be in life and go for it!
Sam Bird
Jaguar TCS Racing driver, #10
As part of Jaguar TCS Racing’s mission, “Race to Inspire”, the team is committed to inspiring the future generation by creating meaningful impact in communities both across the UK and in the cities in which they race.
