Clive Temple receiving his medal from Adrian Reynard
Cranfield Motorsport Director Clive Temple receives his medal from Adrian Reynard

Clive Temple, Motorsport MSc Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in the Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre at Cranfield University, has become the first recipient of the Adrian Reynard Medal for Ingenuity.

Clive was presented with the medal during a recent presentation to Motorsport MSc students by the renowned motor racing designer and manufacturer.

After discussing innovation in motorsport and delivering a presentation to students about the first racing car he designed and built, Adrian surprised Clive with the award in front of the class.

Clive Temple said: "Naturally I was somewhat overwhelmed by this. Receiving this accolade from Adrian is very special. Motorsport has been my passion throughout my life. I have been able to develop my academic career in relation to motorsport and I have helped many Cranfield students go on to successful motorsport careers. This is the most rewarding aspect of the job.

"In receiving the Adrian Reynard Medal for Ingenuity, it is also important that I stress how appreciative I am of the core academic, technical and administrative support team. Like motorsport, education is a team endeavour."

Adrian Reynard said of Clive: "You deserve this and much more for all the dedication, leadership and valued, relevant input over 21 years. This course is a testament to your ingenuity and just plain hard work and perseverance. Who would have guessed that motorsport was to gain such a prestigious place in master's and PhD education? We did!"

Clive Temple joined Cranfield from the Open University in 1995, prior to which he worked in industry before returning to his studies and then taking up a career in the higher education sector.

Clive was the initiator of Cranfield's Motorsport Engineering MSc, developing the course in collaboration with the motorsport sector. He is currently Programme Director for Motorsport and Automotive, Course Director for the Advanced Motorsport Engineering and Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics MSc courses and leads a number of modules delivered on the Motorsport MSc courses.

Adrian Reynard holds a Cranfield University Honorary Doctorate having studied at the University in the 1970s. Adrian maintains his links with Cranfield as a Visiting Professor and chair of the advisory panel for Motorsport. He also makes an annual award for the best motorsport thesis project at Cranfield.

The Adrian Reynard Medal for Ingenuity features one of Adrian's Reynard Indy cars with which Adrian's company dominated North American racing. Reynard Motorsport was, at one time, the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and then at Brackley, the company built successful cars for Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000, IndyCar and CART.

Along with his roles at Cranfield, Clive is actively involved in motorsport as a competition licence holder, having competed in events for over 30 years. He owns historic competition cars and motorcycles and attended his first race meeting at Silverstone in 1962 as a spectator. He represents Cranfield University at the Motorsport Industry Association, the British Racing Driver's Club and Motorsport UK.