Meet a real racing driver, get up close to a Formula 3 car and drive a ‘virtual’ car on the race simulator at the exciting Pit Stop event at Enginuity, Coalbrookdale over the weekend of 9 and 10 March. The day will be packed with fun and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy including having a go at changing a wheel on the F3 car.
Ironbridge Gorge Museums have partnered with the University of Wolverhampton Race (UWR) team to stage this exciting interactive family event, which will see the University running four interactive sessions throughout the weekend focused around engineering, racing and science.
As well as the amazing Formula 3 Renault racing car, which takes centre stage, university students will be showcasing two Morgan cars and their Formula Student race car.
Go along to the Enginuity Theatre and listen to Formula 3 race driver Shane Kelly talk about his exciting life, while race engineer Matt Fenton will explain what’s needed to get a car race ready. Then meet the School of Engineering students and hear about their choice of career.
If you’ve always admired the wheel change speed on Formula 1 circuits, try entering a competition as to who can change a wheel the fastest on the F3 car – there’s a prize for the winner! Then imagine you are a race driver and take a selfie sitting in the F3 car or holding a trophy on the podium. You can also enter a raffle to win a Race Day at a 2019 UK Formula 3 event at Donnington, Silverstone or 
Oulton for a family of four (two adults and two children).
The Race Team will be supported by sponsor RS Components, who will be bringing their Titan II vehicle, which features technologies such as RS’ DesignSpark platform, Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, robotics, Internet of Things and thermal imaging – as well as virtual reality and augmented reality technology.
In addition to this, the University’s team will be unravelling the mystery of science by encouraging audience participation and interaction through physical demonstrations and showing science off through performance, theatre, illusions and mind tricks.
Tickets, which can be booked at www.ironbridge.org.uk or bought at the gate cost £5 for children up to 16 years and full-time students and £7 for adults, under 5s free. They include entrance to Enginuity and a range of fun hands-on activities for all ages.
One of the 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Enginuity is open from 10am until 4pm. For further information, call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M54 motorway exiting at Telford junction 4 or 6.