Interview with Guy Ruthven

	Interview with Guy Ruthven
Job Title: Project Supervisor Company: Ray Mallock Ltd (RML) Why are maths and physics worthwhile subjects to study? Because society will always need engineers. Every day we make use of things that have required some engineering input, from the cars we drive to the mattresses we sleep on, and engineers need to apply the mathematical and physical principles they have learned to the design, development and manufacture of all these things. Or we could go back to living in caves. Can you give an example where you have used maths and or physics in Motorsports in an interesting, exciting and or fun way? Although not personally involved, I'll nominate the soapbox racers at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. These have demonstrated some clever thinking when it comes to minimising mechanical and aerodynamic drag and can be very exciting to watch. (Think about being squeezed into a suitcase travelling downhill at 45 mph with no brakes and little steering control). How did you feel about maths and physics as a child? Enjoyed Physics at school (probably my favourite subject) but struggled with Maths which dampened my enthusiasm. I eventually passed my O level with the help of extra tuition. How has your view about them changed over the years? Still feel the same way about physics but my view of Maths only improved when I started University and found that I suddenly had some aptitude for it. How important are maths and physics in your field of work and how often do you use them? Very important I use them every day. How did you start/end up working within the Motorsport industry? Following University as a mature student, I was fortunate to get a job working for a racing engine manufacturer straight after graduating. How would it have affected your career if you didn't have maths and physics skills? I don't think I would have been able to start my career in Motorsport without them, although it may have been possible to have a career in it. How essential are the skills of maths and physics to careers within Motorsport? Depending on the area within Motorsport, they range from being useful to vital. Which physics equation in your opinion is the most important? All of them!
© Cranfield University

Interview with Guy Ruthven

Job Title: Project Supervisor

Company: Ray Mallock Ltd (RML)

Why are maths and physics worthwhile subjects to study?

Because society will always need engineers. Every day we make use of things that have required some engineering input, from the cars we drive to the mattresses we sleep on, and engineers need to apply the mathematical and physical principles they have learned to the design, development and manufacture of all these things. Or we could go back to living in caves.

Can you give an example where you have used maths and or physics in Motorsports in an interesting, exciting and or fun way?

Although not personally involved, I'll nominate the soapbox racers at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. These have demonstrated some clever thinking when it comes to minimising mechanical and aerodynamic drag and can be very exciting to watch.
(Think about being squeezed into a suitcase travelling downhill at 45 mph with no brakes and little steering control).

How did you feel about maths and physics as a child?

Enjoyed Physics at school (probably my favourite subject) but struggled with Maths which dampened my enthusiasm. I eventually passed my O level with the help of extra tuition.

How has your view about them changed over the years?

Still feel the same way about physics but my view of Maths only improved when I started University and found that I suddenly had some aptitude for it.

How important are maths and physics in your field of work and how often do you use them?

Very important I use them every day.

How did you start/end up working within the Motorsport industry?

Following University as a mature student, I was fortunate to get a job working for a racing engine manufacturer straight after graduating.

How would it have affected your career if you didn't have maths and physics skills?

I don't think I would have been able to start my career in Motorsport without them, although it may have been possible to have a career in it.

How essential are the skills of maths and physics to careers within Motorsport?

Depending on the area within Motorsport, they range from being useful to vital.

Which physics equation in your opinion is the most important?

All of them!