Ysgol Ardudwy pupils joined the fast lane when they had a chance to see a classic sports car up close at Llanbedr’s Snowdonia Aerospace Centre.

The children were treated to a Formula One experience on their doorstep, watching the testing of a 1982 McLaren.

The car was brought to the centre by owner Steve Hartley and engineering team Mirage for testing ahead of the this year’s FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship, which will see classic F1 cars go head-to-head at seven locations across Europe.

Students got the opportunity to see some classic motorsport engineering – pioneering at its time, and still of the highest calibre – and to talk to the dedicated team of engineers who are still keeping the classic car in world-class condition, 37 years after it was built.

Cllr Ioan Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for economic development, said: “We are very grateful to the owners of Snowdonia Aerospace Centre for opening up the opportunity for local pupils to experience this type of engineering work first hand. 

“We have been working closely with the centre for many years now to develop high quality jobs to allow young people such as these to pursue careers in Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths (STEM) in their own communities.

“We hope that activities such as this will open the eyes of Meirionnydd’s young people to the exciting opportunities that this type of career can bring.”

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