UNIVERSITY of Bolton students have been working with Formula One experts to prepare and race a historic racing car.

Students at the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering are currently making modifications to the Ensign 180B.

The car, owned by Dr Bob Fernley, is a former Formula 1 car, which also later raced in the US CanAm series.

Students will have the rare opportunity of working directly on the car, taking the theory of the classroom onto the reality of the race track.

As part of the project, students are being guided by a technician, as well as working with motorsport professional Willem Toet.

F1 rules related to aerodynamics have been altered many times over the years, with new regulations due in 2022.

Students are developing real-time skills and learning about changes across the industry as they happen.

Toet has an impressive background in F1 and a career working for Ferrari, Benetton and Sauber.

Students will compete in a number of races where they can put their designs to the test.

Motorsport engineering masters student Dara Farrington says she values the hands-on learning she gets with experts like Willem as part of her course.

She said: “I did the BSc Motorsport Technology course as an undergraduate and that was really interesting and steered me in the direction of the masters. I’d also say if you’re passionate about engineering, just do it.

“It’s a great course and there is so much support from industry experts to help you get through it.”