What should I do?
Discussion
Hi
I am coming to the end of my motorsport 1 year course, i was wondering if I should go on to two year course (which i all ready have a place for) or try and get a job, by then i should be driving and have no transport problems. Would I be able to get a decent job with only one year course and two years of doing weekend work at race meetings.
What do people think?
Are there any good websites for motorsport jobs?
James
I am coming to the end of my motorsport 1 year course, i was wondering if I should go on to two year course (which i all ready have a place for) or try and get a job, by then i should be driving and have no transport problems. Would I be able to get a decent job with only one year course and two years of doing weekend work at race meetings.
What do people think?
Are there any good websites for motorsport jobs?
James
It rather depends on what your aiming to do.. most of the teams I know tend to take on either apprentices or experienced mechanics..
If your looking to get into the design side of things then I think you'll need a good degree behind you. what qualification do you get out of your course..
G
If your looking to get into the design side of things then I think you'll need a good degree behind you. what qualification do you get out of your course..
G
I'd start writing to every half decent team I can think off stating your qualification,
asking if they have any trainee positions preferably with some college time, and if they would prefer to take someone like your self on with you current qualifications or if they would suggest you stay on and get further qualifications
G
asking if they have any trainee positions preferably with some college time, and if they would prefer to take someone like your self on with you current qualifications or if they would suggest you stay on and get further qualifications
G
James,
Not sure where abouts in the country you are.
But being brutal here, wannabe race car mechanics are ten a penny. I get about 8 Emails a week at this time of year. So to beat the competition, you need to take with you as much experience as you can. If you do not have transport, already you are behind the other guy trying to get the same job.
Stay in college, work part time for free for a race team, or a privateer running his own car.
When you have transport your options improve massively.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Graham
Not sure where abouts in the country you are.
But being brutal here, wannabe race car mechanics are ten a penny. I get about 8 Emails a week at this time of year. So to beat the competition, you need to take with you as much experience as you can. If you do not have transport, already you are behind the other guy trying to get the same job.
Stay in college, work part time for free for a race team, or a privateer running his own car.
When you have transport your options improve massively.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Graham
What race formula are you currently working in?
Experience is what you really need to get on as a race mechanic. Experienced mechanics are surprisingly hard to find and you'd be surprised at how little experience you need to get into F1 these days. A season or two of F3 or similar is often enough to land a test team No.2 mechanic job in F1. Then you really will learn a lot in a very short time! Aussie and Kiwi mechanics often do extremely well because they just rock up straight from the airport and offer to work for nothing. Within a few short years the best of them end up as No.1 race team mechanics in F1.
Experience is what you really need to get on as a race mechanic. Experienced mechanics are surprisingly hard to find and you'd be surprised at how little experience you need to get into F1 these days. A season or two of F3 or similar is often enough to land a test team No.2 mechanic job in F1. Then you really will learn a lot in a very short time! Aussie and Kiwi mechanics often do extremely well because they just rock up straight from the airport and offer to work for nothing. Within a few short years the best of them end up as No.1 race team mechanics in F1.
RC racer said:
Hi
I help with a local saloon team
James
My advice would be keep with the studying and helping out a team in your own/spare time.I help with a local saloon team
James
Word of mouth will probably get you further that just writing to teams asking for a job.
Keep chatting to the lads in the pit lanes and keep up your studies.
(but then what would I know)
A good place to start out is Formula Palmer Audi. I worked there 5 years ago and after a few moves up the ladder have recently got a job at Honda F1.
FPA cars are proper single seaters (if a bit old now) and all the basics that apply to them will apply to any other single seater, in terms of preparation, setup and what needs to happen over a race weekend. Its also probably more work in FPA than in F1 because an F1 car will have several people running it and FPA will have just you, all on your own.
Speak to any of the bolty's in F1 and a good few will have worked in FPA or know a bloke who did.
FPA cars are proper single seaters (if a bit old now) and all the basics that apply to them will apply to any other single seater, in terms of preparation, setup and what needs to happen over a race weekend. Its also probably more work in FPA than in F1 because an F1 car will have several people running it and FPA will have just you, all on your own.
Speak to any of the bolty's in F1 and a good few will have worked in FPA or know a bloke who did.
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