Local company give race team a sparkling sponsorship lift
The University of Wolverhampton Race (UWR) team benefited from a sparkling sponsorship lift recently when local company, Mercia Lifting Gear Ltd, gifted them a range of automotive cleaning products – all of them personalised for students and staff members of the team.
Mercia Group, based in Willenhall, West Midlands, specialise in a range of services including large lifting equipment, the supply of solar panels, battery storage, electrical wholesale and have just launched a range of consumable cleaning products. The company was founded in 1982 as a family business headed up by Don Mead and Ron Clarke, a keen motorsport enthusiast, sadly Ron passed away in 2022.
The company has pledged over £30,000 to various projects across the University, but the UWR team is close to the company’s heart, with the late founder, Ron, having never realised his dream of going to see a Formula One race.
Steve Clarke, Ron’s son, who heads up the company alongside other family members, said: “This is a very poignant partnership for us because my Dad was a keen motorsport fan, which is why we got involved with the team. Sadly, he passed away last year without seeing the team race.
“We are a local company and we are committed to putting things back into our community. It’s absolutely fantastic what the University is doing with the team on the Engineering courses, and if we can help secure youngsters a future, we are all for that.”
The company recently introduced a range of cleaning consumables into the business. Nikki Driscoll, Sales Executive at Mercia, said: “We thought that it would be great to launch our range of products by producing bespoke items for members of the UWR team. We are always looking for different ways to build on our relationship with our partners and we hope that the students and staff benefit from the range of valeting and lubrication materials which will keep the cars well maintained and looking great.”
During the past year the company has sponsored UWR with the cleaning consumables and a new gearbox worth £14,000 for the student team’s Praga R1 car, but they are also extending their support of the students by sponsoring a room at the University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment.
Jamie Fereday, Contracts Manager at Mercia, said: “We are working on a couple of exciting projects at the University in relation to energy solutions, and some have a crossover with the race team, so it really is a unique collaboration with lots of different positive outcomes.”
The range of products gifted to the staff and students in the School of Engineering included cleaning spray, lubricants and degreasers.
Adrian Lubiejewski, in his third year of studying for a Motorsport Engineering degree, said: “The team is really grateful to have Mercia as one of our supporters. Their sponsorship has really helped us to maintain the car during the races and we also use a lot of products to clean and protect the car - so now we have our own personalised products, it’s a really nice touch.”
UWR is made up of students undertaking a variety of degrees including Motorsport, Automotive, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering in the School of Engineering at the Telford Innovation Campus based in Priorslee. It is part of the University’s commitment to producing graduates who can apply both theory and practice in the industry, offering them hands-on experience to equip them with real-world skills to boost their employability.
UWR takes part in the IMechE Formula Student competition and are developing two Morgan Plus Fours for racing on behalf of the Morgan Motor Company. The team also raced in the inaugural Praga Cup last year after being crowned Formula Three Cup Class Champions in 2021.
UWR and the opportunities it provides are made possible by over 40 sponsors, with Highclear Investments joining supporters like Hadley Group, the international cold rolled steel company which has its headquarters in Smethwick, Oceanscan, the lead partner on the Morgan team and our Non-Destructive Testing partner, Bowers Group, the team’s Metrology partner and FBC Manby Bowdler, the West Midlands based law firm. Whether providing financial support, cutting-edge manufacturing equipment or industrial mentoring, our sponsors from across the country enable the team to deliver racing success and vital employment opportunities in an important industry. UWR and the School of Engineering are grateful to all our sponsors of eight years of racing.
Find out more about the School of Engineering courses on the website or visit one of our forthcoming Open Days.
Find out more about Mercia.
ENDS
For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.