Tyres.co.uk is backing Cardiff Racing, the student-run Formula Student team at Cardiff University, for the 2026/27 season. As a UK online tyre retailer, we're supporting the part of the car we know best: its tyres. Cardiff University announced the partnership on 21 October 2026.
Who are Cardiff Racing?
Cardiff Racing is the Formula Student team representing Cardiff University. Its members come from a range of degree subjects and year groups, and each year they design, build and race a single-seat car in Formula Student, the engineering competition run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This season the team is developing an electric car, which it will take to Silverstone next summer.
Cardiff Racing with their car at Formula Student, Silverstone. Photo: Cardiff Racing
Formula Student is about more than lap times. Judges also score each car on its engineering design, what it costs to build and the business plan behind it. Students come away knowing how to run a project from start to finish, not just how to put a car together.
Why tyres matter on a race car
A Formula Student car only grips the track where its tyres meet the surface. Braking, cornering and putting the power down all depend on those contact points, so the right tyres and setup can decide a whole competition. Teams get through several sets in a season for testing and racing, in both wet and dry compounds, which makes tyres one of their biggest running costs. Helping with that cost leaves more of the team's budget for developing the car itself.
What the team says
Tyres are one of the biggest things we spend money on each season, and they make a massive difference to how the car performs. Having Tyres.co.uk on board takes some of that pressure off and means we can focus on making the car as good as it can be.
Connor WendtDeputy Technical Director, Cardiff Racing
From Cardiff University's announcement
When we started Tyres.co.uk, we were building something from nothing, a lot like these students are now. They're doing real engineering on a tight budget and a fixed deadline, and we wanted to help with the part we understand best. We'll be cheering them on at Silverstone.
VithursCo-Founder, Tyres.co.uk
What racing teaches road drivers about tyres
Grip, braking and wet weather performance matter just as much on the school run as they do on a race track. Every tyre on Tyres.co.uk shows its label ratings for wet grip, fuel efficiency and road noise, so you can compare budget, mid-range and premium car tyres side by side.
Electric cars are heavier and deliver their power instantly, which wears tyres in a different way. Our range of tyres for electric cars is made to handle both. Drivers who want sharper steering and stronger grip can choose from our performance tyres.
Live near the team?
Enter your reg to see what fits your car, then book a slot at one of our fitting centres in Cardiff.
Follow the build
Over the coming months the team will finish the car, test it and get it ready for competition. You can follow their progress on the Cardiff Racing website and their social channels. We'll share updates here as the season goes on.
