Széchenyi István University plays a key role in the development of cutting-edge automotive technologies and vehicle engineering education while becoming an increasingly active participant in motorsport. With the University’s support, competing students have achieved significant successes in the past year, earning national and international placements. The SZE Motorsport season-opening event was held on 4 February, where athletes and technical leaders presented their plans for 2025.

Széchenyi István University has a long-standing tradition in vehicle engineering education, as well as in mobility-related research, development, and innovation. Students can advance their skills in world-class student competition teams, such as the multiple world record-holding SZEnergy Team, the Arrabona Racing Team, which triumphed at last year’s Hungarian round of the Formula Student competition, or the SZEngine team, which focuses on engine development. Strengthening its ties to technical sports, the University established a motorsport division within its sports association (SZESE) a year ago, followed by the founding of the Uni Győr WMS go-kart team.

At the SZE Motorsport season-opening event, athletes and technical leaders shared their plans for 2025 (Photo: András Adorján)

"We can proudly say that we are also a motorsport university, offering unique opportunities in the region. The utilisation of mobility-related knowledge is evident in our high-quality education, our research and development activities, and motorsport itself, where our institution has become a key player," said Dr Tamás Kolossváry, head of the Győr Innovation Park at Széchenyi University and representative of the motorsport division. As a former student, he was also a founding member of the Arrabona Racing Team. He emphasised that young talents can prepare in professional conditions. "Training on the racetrack is complemented by practice on the simulators of our Uni Elite Sports Club. These professional tools are also available for anyone to try," he said. He also pointed out that at the annually hosted Formula Student Symposium on the Győr campus, students can learn from world-renowned engineers, including those from Formula 1.

Dr Dániel Feszty, Head of the Department of Vehicle Development at Széchenyi University, introduced the Motorsport Engineering programme launched in February. "There are only 14 such programmes worldwide, and our University’s master’s programme is unique in Central Europe. The one-year English-taught programme offers 12 subjects with a practical, project-based approach, involving racing teams and internationally recognised instructors from Formula 1 and other motorsports," he explained. The programme features prominent experts, including former Formula 1 and IndyCar race engineer Claude Rouelle, Dr Sándor Kling, currently an engineer at Williams, and Andor Hegedűs, who previously worked for Red Bull and now contributes to Aston Martin.

Dr Tamás Gyömörei, president of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE) and head of the university’s Sports and Recreation Centre, Dr Dániel Feszty, Head of the Department of Vehicle Development, go-kart racer Bende Szabó, Vilmos Willisits, owner of EKART RING and team leader of UNI Győr WMS, go-kart racer Viló Willisits, Dr Tamás Kolossváry, Head of the Győr Innovation Park at Széchenyi University, racing driver Eszter Németh, Dr Ferenc Szauter, Head of the University’s Automotive Industry Research Centre, junior rally driver Bence Hidvégi and his mentor, rally driver Róbert Bútor, were all present at the event (Photo: András Adorján)

Vilmos Willisits, owner of EKART RING and team leader of UNI Győr WMS, explained that as a founding member of the SZEnergy Team, he was drawn into the world of motorsport during his university years. Since 2013, he has been focusing on youth development, particularly nurturing young go-kart talents. "Through our collaboration, we have aligned with the University’s motorsport strategy, allowing us to engage more primary and secondary school students. This not only introduces them to the sport but also brings them closer to our higher education institution in Győr," he stated. He highlighted that in the 2024 season more than 50 competitors represented Széchenyi University in Hungarian motorsport. Their 42 go-kart racers alone made up a quarter of the national competition field. "This is crucial because these young talents represent the future of various categories in domestic motorsport. We achieved multiple championship titles, podium finishes, and international results last season, while also placing a strong emphasis on promoting the sport. In 2025, we have ambitious plans and will continue our Bambini project, which welcomes children as young as five to the track," Willisits added.

The young athletes present at the press conference are expected to achieve outstanding results this year as well. Eszter Németh, Hungary’s best female racing driver of 2024, will once again compete in the Swift Cup Europe Championship and represent Hungary’s e-sports team in the Global E-Sports Games, participating in the female category of sim-racing. Bende Szabó, Hungarian go-kart champion and third-place finisher in the 2024 Eurotrophy, as well as 11th in the 2023 Grand Final, will compete in the RMC Eurotrophy series and the national go-kart championship in 2025 as a factory-supported driver for BirelART. Viló Willisits, multiple go-kart champion and runner-up in both the 2024 Easykart Italy and Easykart Eurotrophy, as well as the 2023 Moravian Cup category champion, will also race in the RMC Eurotrophy series and the national go-kart championship with BirelART’s backing.

Bence Hidvégi, junior rally driver and third-place finisher in the 2024 Metabond Rally Sprint overall standings, as well as the absolute and category champion of the 2023 Metabond Mini Sprint, will compete in the second division of the national rally championship in the Peugeot Rally Academy Cup. His goal is to participate in the Peugeot Cup in 2026. Among the attendees was Róbert Bútor, multiple rally category champion and a prominent figure in Hungarian rallying. Since his career began in 1993, he has won ten category championships and received support from multiple manufacturers. In 2022, he won his category in the Croatian round of the World Rally Championship (WRC). In 2025, he will mentor Bence Hidvégi.

The competing athletes also showcased their skills on the track (Photo: Máté Dudás)

Among the SZE Motorsport athletes is Széchenyi István University student Bálint Kovács, a motorcycle racer who finished fifth in the FIM Endurance World Championship last year and placed eighth in the German Superbike Championship. His plans for 2025 include participating in the German Superbike Championship, the Endurance World Championship, and the Hungarian Superbike rounds.

After last year’s successes, the SZE Motorsport competitors are gearing up for another outstanding season (Photo: András Adorján)