Budding young racing drivers were inspired as an Formula 1 competition sped into the classroom this week.

Beaminster School is one of only a few in the south west to enter the challenge, which involves students crafting their own racing cars using 3D printers.

Called F1 in Schools, the project is spearheaded at Beaminster School by teacher Wendy Da Costa who wants to increase uptake of engineering at the school and encourage future motorsport enthusiasts.

Students – who also included primary school pupils from Charmouth – also heard from previous pupil Dan Macintosh, 19, who now races cars including a 1971 Merlyn, which was parked outside the library.

The competition launched in Beaminster this week where a test race track was set up inside the school where pupils will eventually test out their creations.

The challenge inspires students to understand more about physics, aerodynamics and design and put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom.

As well as racing driver Dan, talks from engineering companies Numatics and BAe Systems and a presentation on the role of women in engineering were given.

The school aims to get as many current and future students involved in the project and put Beaminster on the map as it eyes the regional and national finals.

“One of the great things we are trying to do is inspire our kids to be more involved in careers and understand the many opportunities that are out there,” said headteacher Keith Hales.

“Every year we will have a new bunch of students who will get involved – the biggest difficulty is buying the kit in the first place, and we had lots of support to put that together.

“Now that we have bought that equipment, the ongoing costs are not so huge and gradually we can get more and more students interested.”

Dan has raced at various levels and venues – including Silverstone – during his early years in racing and the head said he was a great representative for the Dorset school.

Mr Hales added: “It is always great to have an ex-student come along and Dan is well known and we have all followed him in terms of his racing career. It is fantastic what he is achieving.”

Mrs Da Costa said that students are tasked with running their teams like a real F1 crew.

“This is an ongoing project until the middle of next year when we go to the regional finals with five teams,” she added.

“F1 in schools is so important because at first glance, most people assume it is engineering but it encompasses marketing, product design, physics, maths; it is the bigger picture and is really good for cross curriculum activities.”