Hypersonic Racing Advances to the 2026 World Finals

We are Hypersonic Racing, a STEM Racing team formed in 2023, which participated in the Singapore National Finals this November. We are proud to announce that we came third overall and won the Best-Engineered Car Award. This incredible achievement qualifies us to enter the next stage of the competition - the 2026 World Finals - an opportunity to fly off and compete against the best teams worldwide.

At the heart of our success is strong management and seamless coordination. Every member put in 100% effort, met deadlines, managed tasks and learned to work in a team environment. “Though stressful, it was a great opportunity to learn real-world skills with lasting future relevance.” - Daniel, Team Captain.

While tedious, the design aspect was an enjoyable part of the process. The engineering team worked relentlessly, spending long nights adjusting the design and testing aerodynamics to gain marginal improvements in the car’s performance. “The most rewarding part was seeing the car perform well on the track.” - Charles, Lead Engineer.

One of the biggest challenges we faced was adhering to the strict set of over 80 Technical Regulations our design must comply with. Reflecting on real-world Formula 1 practice, judges are extremely precise, measuring every aspect of the design to the millimetre. Teams that do not follow these regulations face a significant penalty in points. We are proud to say our car passed almost all of the regulations during the scrutineering process.

After designing, the manufacturing process began. We began by using the CNC machine to transform foam blocks into car bodies, then 3D-printed components in specific filaments and assembled everything. To ensure aerodynamics weren’t compromised, regulations were met, and wheels spun, we had to be very precise. Though timing was tight, we managed to get two fully manufactured cars, along with spare parts, ready for racing. 

A crucial step was to represent our brand in a visually engaging and memorable way. We carefully considered many colour options to deliver a consistent message. Our colours were reflected in our social media, uniform, pit display, portfolios, and merchandise. Ultimately, light blue was chosen as our primary colour, reinforcing our sustainability goals centred on plastic pollution in the oceans. In the build-up to the 2026 World Finals, we aim to partner with charities to make a larger impact on these goals. 

Our online presence was a major part of this project, helping us market our brand and learn real-world business and communication skills. We used Instagram and YouTube to share updates and behind-the-scenes content, and to promote our sponsors. We used insights to analyse the data and discover which type of content excited viewers most. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our presence and connect with people around the globe. 

Sponsorship acquisition proved to be challenging. It was a steep learning curve connecting with companies and learning how to stand out. We provided potential sponsors with a concise outline of who we are and the support we needed, along with a compelling ROI through social media exposure, branding, etc. We introduced a tiered sponsorship system that offers different benefits based on contribution level. At a glance, we contacted approximately 400 companies, 14 of which became sponsors of the 2025 National Finals, providing us with resources and financial support. 

As we prepare for the 2026 World Finals, we are excited to continue improving our car, strengthening our brand and expanding our global network. With the support of our community, sponsors and mentors, we aim to make Hypersonic Racing a team that Singapore can be proud of — and to inspire the next generation of young engineers.

By the Hypersonic Racing Team