18-07-2025
Local F1 car manufacturers unusual take on very unusual project
A Formula 1 car manufacturer based in Swindon has been given the unusual job of restoring a giant frog.
EVTEC Superlight, a carbon fibre brand located in Stratton, Swindon, does a lot for automotive industry.
Now, they have been asked to help restore a giant frog that was found at a local school.
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Ben Howe, 45, the quality manager at EVTEC Superlight, spoke about the company and how the frog project came about.
He said: "We predominantly do F1 and motorsports along with aviation. We work with all the F1 teams other than Ferrari as they work in-house.
"All the carbon fibre was sourced from us. 75 per cent of our business was F1 a few years back, but we have stepped back slightly as it is not overly sustainable.
"We made the halo for McLaren cars and did the majority of the body work for Williams and engine work for Mercedes.
"In the future, we are looking to get more into the aircraft industry with Airbus and Boeing.
"We are now getting into the medical industry too and helping to build things that support emergency services."
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According to Ben, the company have helped create hanging frames from carbon fibre that can be put in the back of ambulances and hold and store more equipment.
The frog came to them in a bit of a state with an eye smashed in and its coat of paint almost completely rubbed off.
The company will be looking to give the frog happier days ahead.
On the frog: "It was a bizarre day, we had a gentleman come and knock on our door asking if we could help with his frog.
"I thought he meant an actual frog at first and was very confused, but then he showed us a giant made from glass fibre.
"We said we are happy to take it on and try to restore it over the next few weeks."
The frog was found at Gorse Hill Primary School by a groundskeeper after he was doing some work to cut back shrubbery in the area.
Paul Lewis, 78, found the frog and thought it could be put to good use and used as part of the outdoor décor at the school.
He said: "I work as an assistant caretaker at the school and was there to help out and clear the vegetation and incessant growth of brambles.
"I was clearing a corner out with Ken the caretaker and this great big frog that has been decorated with multiple colours.
"All I thought was that this is too good to throw away.
"I knew of EVTEC through the previous company that they used to be under called Retrack, and so I figured if I do not ask, I do not get."
The frog will return to the school as a community project in the next few weeks once restoration is complete.
It will be used as part of a natural area that is planned to have a community garden.
The headteacher at Gorse Hill, Candida Hutchinson, explained why the outdoor area is so important to the school.
She said: "It is a good place to be, and we want to be able to invite the community in more and have parents more involved.
"The frog being reused is also a good message for children to recycle.
"It will go in the playground near the wildlife area, and hopefully sort out a community garden, and we are asking for donations to get this started."
