Teamwork is put to the test in building and racing a life-size cardboard F1 racing car.

Program outline

Get you team into TOP GEAR in this totally unique team building experience. Flat Out — Formula 1 tests the communication skills, collaboration and resourcefulness of your team whilst constructing the ultimate model kit — an almost full scale Formula 1 racing car! Using your time effectively is paramount for you and all of the other equally determined teams. Working from detailed construction plans, each Formula 1 team has to rally their collective skills to turn a ‘flat-pack’ kit of materials into the ultimate cardboard driving machine, and at the same time, create human-horsepower aiming for perfect synchronisation. Finally, the Grand Prix moment arrives and all team endeavours will be over in a flicker as the lights flash and all teams compete for the chequered flag!

Learning and development outcomes

Only by forming sub-teams and working in parallel can the incredible creations of Flat Out F1 be achieved. With a good understanding of the end goal, this complex project can be broken down to keep the whole team productive and efficient with everyone’s efforts being essential for a successful build. There is plenty of creativity with ‘pimping’ of the cars, and practise makes perfect as the final race is won or lost in the pit stop.

Corporate Social Responsibility ideas

There are so many ways in which you can use Flat Out Formula 1 to promote your favourite charity. Here are a few examples:

1. Prior to the event, all teams selected a charity. During the activity, teams branded their cars with decorations denoting their charity. Teams then raced for prize money for their chosen charity. All teams donated to their charity, whether they came 1st or last! At the end of the program the client surprised us by doubling the donations! Impressive!
2. Staff from US dessert giant, Sara Lee, participated in a CSR focused Flat Out F1. They invited kids from a nearby institution to participate in the activity by helping build and decorate the cars. During the grand finale race, one child was invited to sit with the driver and race down the track! Needless to say the children had a fantastic time, and Sara Lee loved it so much that they purchased the first place car, taking it back to display at their HQ and donating the money to the children's charity. The children signed the car body with short “thank you” notes and all the participants names. Win! Win! for all.
3. The children received the educational benefits of this dynamic challenge while raising money for their school. Prior to the event each team was tasked with finding a corporate sponsor for their F1 racing car. Character building stuff for go-getters in their formative years!