At Ampito, we believe in the power of innovation, collaboration and inspiring future talent. That vision came to life on 17 September 2025, when we partnered with Queen’s University Belfast, a long-standing Ampito customer, to host From Tech to Track -an exclusive motorsport and engineering panel event celebrating Queen’s 180th anniversary.

The Ashby Building, at QUB,  was buzzing with excitement as over 100 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students gathered to hear from some of the biggest names in motorsport and technology. Hosted by sports journalist and Queen’s alumna, Denise Watson, the event brought together voices from across motorsport and engineering. Ampito’s Founder & CEO, Manny Pinon, joined the panel to share his perspective on innovation, leadership and Ampito’s path in supporting high-performance sport. As Official Technology Partner to Pata Maxus Yamaha, Ampito was proud to see the team represented at Queen’s. The line-up was completed by WorldWCR rider, Beatriz Neila of Ampito Crescent Yamaha.

By connecting education, motorsport and business, the event highlighted how Ampito’s partnerships, and our relationship with Queen’s, are helping inspire and shape the next generation of engineers.

A Celebration of Queen’s Motorsport Legacy

Opening the event, Professor Geert Dewulf, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engineering and Physical Sciences at Queen’s, welcomed students by reflecting on the University’s rich history. For over 50 years, Queen’s has been at the heart of motorsport innovation, from the pioneering Queen’s University’s Team Optimum Grand Prix to the ongoing success of the Queen’s Formula Racing team.

This legacy set the stage for two inspiring panel sessions, where academia and industry came together to share their stories.

Panel One: Engineering, Innovation and Opportunity

The first panel featured:

• Manny Pinon – Founder & CEO, Ampito
• Tom O’Kane – Crew Chief, Pata Maxus Yamaha
• Ciara Burns – Queen’s graduate, Fortescue Zero

Together, they explored the intersection of academia and industry.

Ampito Founder & CEO, Manny Pinon, speaking at the From Tech to Track event at QUB.

As Founder and CEO of Ampito, Manny brought a unique perspective that combined business leadership, technology expertise and a personal passion for motorsport. He spoke about Ampito’s role as Official Technology Partner to Pata Maxus Yamaha and shared his personal journey as a motorsport fan, including his experience earlier that day viewing Queen’s groundbreaking electric DeLorean project -a symbol of how engineering heritage can inspire fresh thinking about the future. For him, the parallels between racing and business were clear: success comes from teamwork, innovation and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Reflecting on Ampito’s partnership with Yamaha, Manny emphasised how motorsport and technology are deeply intertwined. From the way data drives decisions on the racetrack, to how digital transformation empowers businesses in every sector, he highlighted the opportunities for students and researchers to shape future innovations.

He closed with advice for students to embrace new technologies with curiosity, to see challenges as opportunities and to build careers that balance passion with impact. His presence underscored Ampito’s commitment not just to sponsorship, but to nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators.

Ciara shared her pathway from Queen’s Formula Racing to Fortescue Zero, a company leading the charge in decarbonisation. She highlighted how hands-on experiences like Formula Racing not only build technical expertise but also help students think differently about sustainability.

Tom provided a behind-the-scenes look at his role as a crew chief in WorldSBK, where data, teamwork and engineering precision come together under intense pressure. He drew fascinating parallels between academic research and real-world racing innovation.

The panel wrapped up with advice for students: embrace opportunities, think creatively about sustainability and always stay curious.

Panel Two: High Performance, Leadership and Inspiration

The second panel brought the star power. Students heard from:

• Jonathan Rea – Six-time WorldSBK Champion, Pata Maxus Yamaha
• Beatriz Neila – Four-time Women’s European Champion, Ampito Crescent Yamaha WorldWCR rider
• Paul Denning – Team Principal, Pata Maxus Yamaha

With Denise guiding the discussion, the panel explored what it takes to achieve and sustain high performance.

Paul spoke about motorsport as the ultimate team sport, where engineering excellence and leadership are inseparable. With over 30 years in team management, he shared his perspective on guiding riders and engineers through the relentless demands of WorldSBK. Paul emphasised that while the spotlight often shines on the rider, success is only possible through the dedication of the entire team – from mechanics and engineers to data analysts and crew chiefs.

He also highlighted the growing opportunities for collaboration between motorsport and academia, encouraging students to see themselves not only as future engineers but as innovators who can influence the future of performance, sustainability and safety in the sport.

Jonathan Rea, fresh from announcing his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, received a particularly warm welcome back to Queen’s. An honorary graduate and one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated athletes, he reflected on his career and the teamwork that powered him to six consecutive World Superbike titles. Jonathan spoke passionately about “Team 65,” the group of people behind his success, and highlighted the parallels between racing and engineering – where every detail matters and collaboration is key.

Jonathan Rea sharing his journey and insights with students, alongside WorldWCR rider Beatriz Neila.

For students, hearing directly from a world champion about resilience, adaptability and continuous learning was hugely impactful. Jonathan stressed the importance of hands-on experience, encouraging young engineers to get close to the practical side of their work, just as he has always immersed himself in the engineering detail of his bikes. He also spoke about the future – both his own, as he moves into the next stage of his career, and that of the students in the room, who he described as the “next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.” His presence not only celebrated Queen’s proud history but also inspired confidence in what lies ahead.

Beatriz Neila’s contribution was equally powerful. A four-time Women’s European Champion and now competing in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship with Ampito Crescent Yamaha, she is breaking barriers in a sport traditionally dominated by men. She spoke about her journey into professional racing, the resilience it takes to compete at the highest level and the importance of creating visibility for women in motorsport.

Alongside her racing career, Beatriz is also a qualified lawyer, having completed her master’s degree in international law while competing on the world stage – an achievement that resonated strongly with students balancing studies and ambitions of their own. She spoke about the qualities that drive her success: discipline, adaptability and fearlessness. She encouraged students to pursue their goals with the same determination.

Her presence on the panel didn’t just inspire; it showed students first-hand how engineering, sport and diversity can come together to shape a more inclusive and exciting future.

A Fitting Celebration

All panel members were presented with a bespoke keepsake, crafted by Queen’s University technicians.

The afternoon closed with remarks from Professor Trevor Robinson, Head of the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, before students joined the panellists for networking and informal conversations.

From the buzz of seeing a superbike up close to the depth of discussion around sustainability and performance, the event left a lasting impact. Students walked away inspired not only by the panellists’ achievements but by the opportunities that lie ahead in engineering and technology.

Ampito’s Role in Driving Innovation and Inspiration

For Ampito, this event was about celebrating long-standing relationships and looking to the future. Queen’s University Belfast has been a valued customer of Ampito for many years and together we’ve worked on delivering advanced network and technology solutions that underpin the University’s drive for innovation.

Our role as Official Technology Partner to Pata Maxus Yamaha further highlights the power of technology in enabling performance, data-driven decision making and collaboration under pressure. Through our title sponsorship of Ampito Crescent Yamaha WorldWCR rider Beatriz Neila, we’re proud to champion inclusion and diversity in motorsport, supporting her as she inspires the next generation on and off the track.

Events like From Tech to Track bring these strands together – connecting education, industry and sport to show what’s possible when talent and technology align. For us at Ampito, moments like this are at the heart of what we do: pushing boundaries, nurturing talent and shaping futures through innovation and collaboration.

👉  Read Queen’s University Belfast’s official coverage here