A new inter-university competition, S-RC Pro, launching now, with its first competitive season arriving in Season 3, giving UK students the chance to design, build and race professional-standard 1:7 scale electric racecars in a year-long championship modelled on the structure inspired by professional motorsport.

Founders say S-RC Pro has been built to go further than existing university STEM and motorsport competitions, which are typically design-only exercises judged away from the track. Key features setting the championship unique include:

• Live wheel-to-wheel racing – rather than a static design competition, cars compete head-to-head on track.
• Open vehicle development – teams design and build their own technical solutions within the PRO-ONE regulations, rather than working to a fixed spec.
• Reliability as a competitive factor – cars must hold up over a full season, mirroring real-world engineering pressure.
• Live telemetry and Mission Control – teams use the same analysis techniques and remote race-support structure as professional motorsport.
• Continuous race engineering – strategic and technical decisions carry on through the live race, not just in the design phase.
• Longer races – 60-minute races demand strategic depth and sustained performance, not just a single sprint.
• Broadcast and media integration – the championship is built for media coverage, giving teams a broadcast presence.
• A £2,000 budget cap – keeping the championship accessible and leveling the playing field between universities, at a fraction of the cost of programmes such as Formula Student.
• Every role, not just the driver – teams build out full F1-style structures, from engineering and race strategy to telemetry, broadcast and media, mirroring how a real F1 team is organised.

Teams take on every stage of car development, including electric powertrains, motors and gearing, differentials and drivetrain layouts, motor control systems, and cooling and power management, working within the “PRO-ONE” regulations. The cars, which can exceed 150mph, must meet strict specifications: a maximum length of 750mm, width of 350mm, height of 300mm, and a minimum weight of 8kg.

Non-team drivers can also take part through an independent S-License system while fan events add another dimension to the event.Ten places are available for universities joining as part of the Founding Team Package, which includes a discounted entry fee, lifetime preferential pricing on future entries, potential discounts on merchandise, and the option to enter a second or third car at no additional cost. The first five teams to sign up will pay £400! Then followed with the reduced founding season fee set at £450 thereafter.

Any UK university can enter a team, with a minimum squad size of 10 students and a recommended size of 30, spanning all disciplines and skill sets. No previous motorsport experience is required, and non-team drivers can compete through an independent licensing system.

Pete Hewage , CEO and Founder said: “Personally, I’m quite excited to be stepping into this new world – not because it replaces what S-RC Cup has built and achieved, but because it adds to it. S-RC Pro is the next step in a realistic motorsport STEM challenge, and challenges young people to make innovations that might genuinely change the world, so there’s lots to look forward to. And of course – it will make for some pretty cool racing!” 

Organisers say the championship is designed as an entry-level stepping stone, giving students a genuine grounding in motorsport and engineering practice, alongside experience relevant to their CVs.

More information, including entry details, are available at www.srccup.co.uk/pro.