KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) is aiming to become the first Caribbean university to officially compete in the international Formula Student competition with the launch of the UTech Racing Club.

The club is Jamaica’s first university-based student motorsport racing team and signifies Jamaica’s formal entry into the competition. Organised by the United Kingdom (UK) based Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Formula Student enables university student teams to design, build and race small formula-style race cars.

UTech President, Dr Kevin Brown, shared that the inspiration to bring Formula Student to Jamaica began during his time at the University of Nottingham in the UK where he witnessed first-hand the competition’s transformative impact on students.

“This goes beyond UTech. This is a national initiative,” said Brown, who took over UTech in 2023.

The president highlighted that as Jamaica’s national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) university delivering practical experience, “if we can show that our students can design and develop a very sophisticated electric racing car, then that will also give confidence to investors to bring their business to Jamaica”.

Brown emphasised the cross-disciplinary nature of the club, encouraging students from all faculties, not just the School of Engineering, to contribute to areas such as marketing, finance, data analytics, and project management. He called on students from all faculties to join and contribute their skills to build not only a car, but a business.

Since its inception in 2024, the membership has grown to over 200 students, with the team now in its second cohort.

Dr. Kevin Brown (front row, 4th left), President, University of Technology, Jamaica and Mr. O’Neil Mason (right), Lecturer, School of Engineering and Faculty Advisor, UTech Racing Club share a photo moment with Team Captain of the UTech Racing Club, Mr. Andre Bogle (front row, 3rd left), and other members of the club’s executive body at the official launch of the UTech Racing Club on May 15, 2025 at the Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus. The University of Technology, Jamaica marked a historic milestone on May 15, 2025, with the official launch of the UTech Racing Club, ushering in Jamaica’s first university-based student motorsport racing team.