Lord Drayson Inaugurates Cutting-Edge Motorsport and Automotive Innovation Hub in Wales
Today, Lord Drayson—an entrepreneur, racing driver, and former science minister—introduced an innovative research facility called the Power Systems Laboratory at the University of South Wales’ Treforest campus.
This new lab is part of the university’s Centre for Automotive & Power Systems Engineering (Capse), which conducts research and testing for major international motorsport and automotive companies. It also supports niche technology and power businesses in Wales.
In addition to launching the lab, Lord Drayson, who played a key role in shaping Britain’s defence industrial strategy, received an honorary doctorate in technology from the university. Lord Drayson is the founder of Drayson Technologies, a former president of the Motorsport Industry Association, a veteran of the Le Mans 24-hour race, and holds three world land speed records for electric vehicles.
He emphasized the importance of electric and hybrid technology for the future of the automotive industry, saying, “Harnessing the latest science is crucial to keep the UK at the forefront of the technology race. The University of South Wales is already renowned for its excellence and industry partnerships. I’m thrilled to open this state-of-the-art facility, which will further propel essential work in power systems engineering.”
Julie Lydon, the university’s vice chancellor and chief executive, highlighted the school’s origins and ongoing commitment to industry collaboration. She remarked, “USW was established as a specialist engineering and management college by industry professionals, for industry professionals. The Power Systems Laboratory exemplifies our dedication to applying top-notch research to real-world decisions. Capse’s success is grounded in its reputation as a premier facility that helps partners develop next-generation energy technologies. We’re delighted to have Lord Drayson, a leader and expert in automotive technology, recognize our work and celebrate this launch with us after using our facilities for his own racing ventures.”
