For any people who work in Motorsport!

spoonz

spoonz

spoonz

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Joined
18 May 2004
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2,218
Whats the "normal" route in?

I would imagine its a work from the bottom upwards scenario as I hear its a very competative arena. Also, rubbish pay, long hours etc etc.

My question is what quallies are good to look at Degree in Motorsport Technology? Degree in Automotive areas?

Any other vocational courses as a step in the right direction.

Chap in question has a solid background in IT and is looking for a career change into possibly a technician role (engine/aero/even IT areas)

Asking on here as I know a few of you haunt this this place.

Thanks
 
From talking to a mate who is in the industry, proabably best to do an automotive degree with strong results and relevant projects and dissertation. In the meantime I would personally try to get involved in motorsport in whatever way possible, as much as possible, whether it be volunteering for a team for free at the weekend or working on your own car.

Also, goes without saying but read up as much as possible on the tech and try to come up with ideas for new technologies. A friend I know isn't even in automotive but has some great ideas for alternate valvetrains and transmission ideas. This at the very least shows you are forward thinking and creative.

It will be hard work as it is a competitive industry. Not only does long hours for naff all apply, but largely it is a great advantage to know people in the industry.

Attitude as with most industries is important, you must be prepared to work hard for long hours at short notice. Have a can do attitude and be intuitive enough to figure things out for yourself, yet know when you are out of your depth and ask for help. It's a fine balance.

Which reminds me, I really must get on to my mate about getting him to teach me to map Motec one of these days!
 
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Tube of KY and an open mind is a good start!

On a serious note - a lot of colleges do quite a few motorsport orientated courses (I've just signed up to Motorsports Datalogging and Analysis course at my local college). If you want to progress past college an engineering degree is the way forward with Motorsport orientated add on modules.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Tube of KY and an open mind is a good start!

On a serious note - a lot of colleges do quite a few motorsport orientated courses (I've just signed up to Motorsports Datalogging and Analysis course at my local college). If you want to progress past college an engineering degree is the way forward with Motorsport orientated add on modules.
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What does your Motorsports Datalogging and Analysis course cover?
 
Jonnycoupe said:
You dont work in motorsport.

You live in motorsport.
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Lol the more I thought about it the more this reigns true. There are so many aspects and areas of which to show interest and commitment in, which I couldn't deliver, hence my degree ended up being straight mech eng and now I'm in finance!
 
Same as most exclusive careers, it's who you know AND what you know. You can't just waltz into such an in-demand role unfortunately, it's like working in sports or acting, you really do need to know someone to help you in. Like someone suggested try volunteering for a team and spend the weekends with them at events, that way you'll meet people.
 
Rhyzz said:
You can't just waltz into such an in-demand role unfortunately
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Yes you can. A friend of mine has an engineering degree from Oxford and got his first job after graduating with one of the top F1 teams which no previous motorsport background or interest.
 
One of my brothers friends did a masters in Automatic Control & Systems Engineering and got a job at Renault F1 working on traction control, unfortunately for him traction control was scrapped the next season. I don't know if he still works for them or not.
 
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