Dean has been part of Qimtek since 1999 and has worked across the business in a variety of roles, becoming Membership Manager in 2012. Over the years, he has supported hundreds of manufacturers and engineering businesses in generating new opportunities through the platform, while also providing hands-on sales and marketing guidance where needed. His primary focus is helping Qimtek supplier members maximise their value, strengthen relationships, and grow sustainable manufacturing networks
Qimtek is proud to announce its sponsorship of Team NOVA, an independent STEM Racing team made up of five Year 10 students with an exceptional passion for engineering, design and innovation.
Formerly known as F1® in Schools, STEM Racing challenges students to create their own miniature Formula 1 team. Competitors must design, test, manufacture and race a CO₂-powered car while also managing branding, budgeting, sponsorship, project planning and presentation.
Success depends on far more than building a fast car. Teams are judged across the entire project, from engineering quality and manufacturing accuracy to commercial strategy and communication.
For Team NOVA, the challenge is even greater.
Unlike many competitors, the team operates without school backing or institutional support. The students complete the work in their own time, designing from their bedrooms, manufacturing in garages and meeting at one another’s homes. Every technical decision, workflow and result is their own.
Using CAD software, the team designs its car to minimise drag while complying with demanding competition regulations. Each version is evaluated using Computational Fluid Dynamics, effectively a virtual wind tunnel, before components are manufactured using CNC machining and 3D printing.
The students have taught themselves the software, established their own manufacturing processes and built the NOVA brand from the ground up.
Their work has already delivered remarkable results.
At the regional final in January 2026, Team NOVA finished first overall and secured the Fastest Car Award. At the UK National Finals in March, the team placed second overall while winning both the Fastest Car Award and the Best Engineered Car Award.
Now holding the title of the UK’s fastest car, Team NOVA has qualified for the 2026 STEM Racing World Finals in Singapore, where the students will represent England against leading teams from around the world. Their prospectus identifies goals including building the fastest legal car at the World Finals, winning a category award and securing a place on the podium.
Supporting the next generation of engineering talent
Team NOVA’s story reflects many of the qualities that define the UK engineering and manufacturing community: technical curiosity, determination, collaboration, continuous improvement and the ability to solve problems with limited resources.
That is why Qimtek is delighted to support them.
Young people rarely get the opportunity to experience the complete journey from an initial idea to a manufactured, tested and commercially presented product. Team NOVA’s members are already developing practical skills in areas including:
- CAD and aerodynamic design
- Computational Fluid Dynamics and structural analysis
- CNC machining and additive manufacturing
- Testing, data analysis and design iteration
- Budgeting, sponsorship and project management
- Branding, marketing and public speaking
These are not simply competition skills. They are the foundations of future careers in engineering, manufacturing, design and technology.
The team is also using its journey to inspire others. Its community outreach has included practical engineering workshops for younger learners, with a particular focus on showing girls that engineering and design are accessible and rewarding career paths.
A call to the engineering community
Qualifying for a global final brings significant costs. Team NOVA must fund specialist materials and equipment, manufacturing, competition entry fees, travel, accommodation, team clothing, displays and promotional activity.
Qimtek is therefore inviting other engineering and manufacturing businesses to join us in supporting the team.
Help does not have to be limited to financial sponsorship. Businesses may also be able to contribute through:
- CNC machining or additive-manufacturing capacity
- Materials, components or tooling
- Engineering and design mentoring
- CFD, CAD or simulation expertise
- Marketing, printing or exhibition support
- Travel and logistical assistance
- Public-speaking or commercial coaching
In return, Team NOVA offers sponsorship opportunities across its race car, uniforms, pit display, website, promotional content and social-media channels. The team’s sponsorship prospectus includes packages for organisations of different sizes, from entry-level support through to headline partnerships.
For businesses, this is an opportunity to support an outstanding group of young people while helping to strengthen the future engineering talent pipeline.
For Team NOVA, every new partner brings them one step closer to competing at their best on the world stage.
To discuss sponsoring or supporting Team NOVA, contact:
[email protected]
teamnovauk.com
If you are feeling inspired by these students and would like to help them personally - you can donate by following this gofund me link - it would mean so much to the team:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/team-nova-compete-in-the-aramco-stem-racing-world-finals-26