Teams > Finals

The F1 in Schools Technology Challenge progresses through a series of finals.

Typically, schools select a few teams to represent the school and usually have a school based final to determine this. These teams usually compete at a regional final, and from each region REA nominates the number of teams from each class (Apprentice, ProJUNIOR, ProSENIOR) that will compete at the state finals.

At State Finals, teams compete in their class for the prize of an invitation to compete at the National Finals. Each state is normally represented by one team from each class at the National Final.

The Australian F1 in Schools National Final is an amazing major event and huge experience for all participants. Typically run over several days, it usually includes the competition, industry tours, dinners and the Gala National Championship Award Ceremony.

The National Apprentice Champion Team, and the overall National Professional Champion Team (Junior and Senior classes combined) win the major prize, a trip to represent Australia at the prestigious F1 in Schools World Championships!¹

The National Industry Champion Team will be invited to join the international study tour, and act as mentors to the competing teams.²

¹ Winning teams must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the major prize, documented in the Rules and Regulations, see the current Rules and Regulations.

² Industry teams must meet special eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the Major Prize, see f1inschools.org.au/industry.

Other awards up for grabs during state and national finals are:

• Best Engineered Design Award
• Australian Grand Prix Corporation Fastest Car Award
• WebEx Cisco Outstanding Industry Collaboration Award
• Best Team Marketing Award
• Innovation Award

Final Events Requirements and Expectations

READ THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THOROUGHLY - teams have missed out because they have not checked requirements and detail.

As you progress through the levels of competition, the quality and standard of projects increases and you will need to look smart and be well prepared in order to be competitive.

Regional Finals

At regional finals, you will usually need to present two cars (one designated as the race car), a portfolio and a simple team display. Presentation and judging requirements can vary from region to region and this is usually negotiated between participating schools and stakeholders. Teachers should get in touch with regional final coordinators to check exact requirements. If there is no final in your region, you may be required to join another region's competition - or you could be invited straight through to your State Final.

State Finals

Competing at the state level requires good planning and your team being well prepared. The standard rises significantly from the regional finals. You can refine and tweak your regional entry car, or even embark on a completely redesigned model. It's particularly good for your team to recognise design and project evolutions and to document these in your folio.

At the state level it is expected you should have no specification infringements within your car design. You will need to provide two identical cars (one race designated), be prepared to give a verbal presentation within the strict time limits and have an impressive team 'pit' display and design folio.

It is imperative that your team reads the rules and regulations carefully. Pay special attention to the marking criteria and note which criteria are assessed by which judging team (for example, if you are hoping for the 'Best Team Marketing' award, your efforts would be lost on the Engineering Judges, who do not mark that criteria). There are separate judging teams for Folio, Racing, Engineering and Verbal Presentations.

State finals often attract the attention of local and national media, and teams are expected to present a professional image during the competition through their displays and overall presentation.

National Final

Making it this far means you are among the best teams in the world and in elite company! It's a huge event! The F1 in Schools Australian National Final has often been reviewed as being equivalent to or better than the World Championships in overall project standard.

REA will fund a significant portion of costs related to your team participating at the National Final, as part of your State Final victory prize! Teams usually seek additional support from their sponsors, enabling them to cover costs such as a participation fee and any further project enhancements necessary to attain the required standard - there is a large step-up in standard between the State Finals and the National Final.

All your presentation material must be very well prepared to catch the attention of the judges, be informative, relevant and concise. Your team should present a uniform, enhanced identity and presence. Be prepared to speak to Members of Parliament, Senators, National Media, and CEO's of multi-national organisations.

World Championships

Only the very best teams are invited to represent Australia. The Australian competition and judging criteria are designed to identify Australian teams that are most likely to be 'Best in the World', our next World Champions! The top two teams, one Apprentice and one Professional, are invited to represent Australia at the F1 in Schools World Championships. The REA trip for National Champion teams to the World Championships is an experience of a life time!

Since the World Championships began, Australian teams have been awarded the coveted 'BEST ENGINEERED CAR' every year, have been crowned World Champions and have regularly placed in the top three teams overall. For more information about Australia's History, check out the Australia's World Championships Honour Board. The international F1 in Schools community often looks to Australia as the standard for excellence.

There are over 25 Countries participating in the World including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, the UAE, USA, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore and Germany. Becoming World Champions or winning a category prize in this company is truly a magnificent achievement!