KHP were tasked with creating a VIP media event for 
F1 in Schools™ is a not-for-profit organisation solely supported by sponsors and partners. Launched in Britain in 2000, F1 in Schools™ now operates in over 20 different countries worldwide, with the involvement of over 2 million school children. In November 2005, it received the backing of the Formula 1™ group which granted a world-wide protected trademark and logo. F1 in Schools™ is acknowledged as highlighting some of the finest design and engineering minds of the teen generation, including potential future Formula One™ design and engineering stars.
KHP Consulting has a long record in successfully procuring sponsorships for rights holders and aims to achieve this for F1 in Schools™, in addition to looking after the organisations global PR campaign which will kick in once the sponsors have been sourced.
Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools, Andrew Denford, commented on the signing of KHP Consulting, “F1 in Schools has transformed the way children learn about engineering, aerodynamics and design across the world over the past five years. We are now at a stage where we would like to give as many children as possible the opportunity to have this experience; however we can’t do that without a support network around us, this is where KHP come in. They are the best in the sponsorship acquisition field, and I have no doubt they will successfully find companies who see the benefit of being associated with F1 in Schools. I am delighted to have them on side in our search for sponsors”
Formula One in Schools showcase event in Indianapolis at the 2006 United States Grand Prix
Teams from Honda Racing F1 Team and Ferrari took up the challenge to build F1 cars of the future and race against the F1 in Schools National Champion student teams from the USA and UK. The event was a showcase for the F1 in Schools Formula One Technology Challenge, a global competition which aims to help change perceptions of engineering, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, science and technology.
A purpose-built 20 metre track set up at the American race facility was used to test the speed of 1:20 scale model CO2 powered balsa wood F1™ cars which were designed, manufactured and tested by each team. The car of the Bradfield Panthers from the UK and that of East Cobb Flying Cougars of the USA had already proved their speed, winning their respective national championships earlier this year. The F1 teams, built by young designers in their spare time, were unproven until this afternoon.
The Honda Racing F1 team led by Gil de Ferran and Ferrari F1 team headed by Ross Brawn had both produced cars with unique designs, reflecting the innovative approaches used within Formula One, and it was that of the Honda Racing F1 team which posted the fastest time of 1.146 seconds. The current world record time is held by a student team from Malaysia with a car which has recorded a time of 1.083 seconds.
Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools Ltd, said, “This has been a unique opportunity for us to showcase the F1 in Schools Formula One Technology Challenge right in the heart of a Formula One race weekend, and with the support of two Formula One teams. KHP Consulting has helped us pull off a fantastic event with global PR coverage that should enable us to continue growing at the fast pace we have become accustomed to.”
Broadcasting networks from around the globe filmed the event and aired it prior to the United States Grand Prix on Sunday 2 July, attracting audiences of 45million. Newspapers, magazines and radio stations also turned up in their dozens to catch a glimpse of the action, with BBC Radio Five airing a seven minute feature with interviews from Ross Brawn, Gil de Ferran and Andrew Denford, chairman of Formula One in Schools ltd. Perhaps the most valuable coverage however was received on ITV who aired a five minute feature and a two minute interview with Andrew Denford, 20 minutes prior to the start of the race when 8 million viewers tuned in.