Charles Wu leans in as the initial set of red lights above the sleek, glossy white race track illuminates.
He takes a breath, awaiting the subsequent four sets that rapidly light up the Aramco-branded track in Singapore, nearly 9,000 miles from his home in Irvine. His gaze is fixed on the red lights, bypassing the other three cars on the track and the crowd of onlookers with their recording phones.
The lights extinguish. The race begins.
Even months after the STEM Racing World Finals, 16-year-old Wu is uncertain how his team reached the top of a competition featuring young innovators from around the globe who have designed, engineered, constructed, marketed, and raced miniature cars.
It’s a personal dream, stemming from his own creativity and determination. Unlike many teams backed by longstanding programs, mentors, and funding linked to Formula 1, Wu’s team had none of these advantages.
Yet here he was in Singapore, among over 400 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, while Team Swift ranked among the top 32 out of more than 80 teams to compete.
As a junior at Beckman High in Irvine, Wu was first introduced to STEM Racing, formerly known as F1 in Schools. His teacher guided him in utilizing machinery, 3D printers, CO2 cartridges, and CAD (computer-aided design) software to construct and propel small racing vehicles.
The Design Process
The first step in Wu’s journey is designing the race car, which he describes as an extensive research endeavor.
This involves adhering to specific competition regulations and specifications. Questions arise: How can the wing be altered for increased speed? How can the body be streamlined for optimal airflow? What design best enhances aerodynamics?
Transforming a plain, angular shape into a sleek racing car is a blend of art and engineering.
While Wu isn’t chiseling clay to form a sculpture, he mixes science, design, and mathematics to instruct a machine in creating a race car that meets precise measurements.
This meticulous approach propelled Team Swift to third place at the U.S. National Finals, earning their spot in Singapore.
Building the Team
Wu built not just the car but the team itself from the ground up. He reflects on observing other teams with well-established STEM Racing programs supported by mentors and financial resources.
“We started from scratch,” Wu notes. His dedication to overcoming challenges has been a driving force, according to his mother, Eva Zhang.
Starting the team with classmates, Wu later recruited college students, but ultimately the team consisted of only three high school members, which is the minimum required for competition eligibility.
Funding and Overcoming Challenges
Funding was another hurdle; Wu’s parents each contributed $1,000, but more was needed. He sought sponsorship from local businesses, including the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center.
Judges were impressed by the team’s achievements. “We faced many failures,” Zhang explains, “but the team consistently came together to find solutions.”
For Wu, the realization of the effort that built Team Swift motivates him to maximize opportunities, fueling his drive to excel further.
Race Day Performance
During the World Finals, Team Swift’s blue and white car achieved a speed of 20.03 m/s down the 20-meter track, outperforming competitors from Germany, Ireland, and Vietnam.
Wu acknowledges his reaction time could improve, recording 1.528 seconds, the slowest of the round. Although they were eliminated, Team Swift performed better in the second round with a total time of 1.437 seconds.
Despite elimination, they qualified among the top 32 teams and won a sponsorship and marketing award from the MoneyGram Haas Formula 1 team, garnering insights from peers worldwide.
Looking Ahead
With their World Finals performance securing them a spot in the upcoming national competition in Charlotte, Wu contemplates Team Swift’s purpose.
The team’s name and colors pay tribute to Wu’s pet bird, Blue Moon, inspiring them to soar to new heights and overcome barriers.
As he continues crafting his next car, Wu looks forward to future competitions, ready for the lights to go out again.
