Anyone walking or driving past Bolton College’s Deane Road STEM Centre will notice two new additions to its already extensive motor vehicle workshop – a Subaru Impreza and a Land Rover. 

The impressive vehicles have been loaned to the College by the University of Bolton, and lucky motor vehicle students have been getting under the bonnets to learn how these fantastic machines work. 

The Subaru is a B13 rally car, with a full roll-cage and safety features that allowed it to race competitively and win numerous trophies. The Land Rover has been fully upgraded and kitted out, perfect for its previous role as an off-road adventure vehicle in the Lake District.   

The College’s Motor Vehicle Department works closely with the University; its Level 3 Motor Sports students spend half a day a week at the University’s Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE), a leading centre for the study of automotive performance engineering and motorsport technology. Many Bolton College students progress to the Centre after completing their studies. 

Peter Alstead, Head of Motor Vehicle at Bolton College, said: ‘The students were so excited when the cars were brought over from the University - they couldn’t wait to get under them and see the fantastic mechanics of the vehicles. They’re been a real hit’. 

Bill Webster, Principal of Bolton College, was instrumental in bringing the cars to the STEM Centre. He said ‘The University and College have a great relationship. The University’s new £13 million National Centre for Motorsport Engineering is being built right next door to our STEM Centre. This will provide even more opportunities for us to work collaboratively, providing yet more fantastic opportunities for our students’.   

Fancy learning all about motor sports in our amazing STEM Centre? Click here to learn more.