Meet the TIM UPS INSA Team from France

TIM UPS INSA, are a 26-year-old association which from the start is determined to push the limit of efficiency by building the simplest and lightest cars. The team are made up of 20 members including two team managers, a president, vice-presidents, a treasurer and a secretary.

Overcoming technical challenges and trying to build more sustainable cars has motivated the team to take part in Shell Eco-marathon since 1996. To them Shell Eco-marathon is important as it encourages students to innovate and improve existing technologies to develop more environmental-friendly vehicles.

Over the years the team has pioneered many innovative solutions with one of their earliest and most notable innovations involving replacing carbon fibre with natural silk – an alternative material that possesses similar properties to carbon fibre, but significantly lighter in weight, resulting in better overall performance. More recently, they developed a cutting-edge painting technique that strikes the perfect balance between performance and weight; securing a Technical Innovation award in the process, proving they always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this field.

One of the most memorable moments of 2023 that the team recalls of the regional championship race is where they went from seventh to third place is the last lap, feeling a sense of enormous pride seeing their driver overtaking the other cars on track so close to the end of the race. As they approach the World Championship TIM UPS INSA are most looking forward to competing with international teams and proving to themselves that the work from the last eight years has paid off.