ISLAMABAD: The locally made formula-style sports car, manufactured by the students of National University of Science and Technology (Nust), left for United Kingdom (UK) on Monday along with the 31-member team from the university, to compete at the international formula student racing championship.

The Pakistani team will compete with 114 teams from various countries at the 16th International Formula Student Race, scheduled to be held at the Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, UK, from July 9 to 13.

The 600CC sports car, that can reach the speed of 120km/hour within four second, is named NAS-14, after the late dean of Nust, Naval Captain Nadeem Ahmed Shaheed.

Also see: Made in Pakistan: Sports car made by students to be unveiled today

The car was showcased before the public at all provincial capitals and Islamabad.

The car has been sent from Karachi to the UK; however, some of the students left for UK from Islamabad.

Before leaving for the competition, Shah Talha Sohail, a member of the team and the driver of the sports car, stated that he wants prayers and backing of the whole nation.

“This time, our car is more powerful and has a better design, so we are hoping that we might get a medal. There are four girls in the team, out of the total 31 members,” he said, adding, “we want to prove to the world that Pakistanis can also make a mark in the field of technology.”

“Our car will go through different stages, such as noise and engineering tests, before getting on the track in the contest,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2014