A youngster starting out

[Dirty Boy]

My little brother is 14 and was lucky enough to get a place doing 1 day a week on an automotive engineering course.

He's got his heart set on working in motorsport but not too sure where to go to get started. Any tips?

Also, he needs to sort out his work experience, but based in East Suffolk, there's not really a lot of choice.

Would love any thoughts people have.

Thanks

DB

[anonymous-user]

autosport show in january might be a good starter, try to get to a trade day, dress smart, tell everyone about your aspirations, be honest and be polite and take their advice. htey wil lget loads of kids asking the same questions, some just as comitted, others not so, you have to be interested and knowledgable even at this stage as a lot of people are after as a small number of places.

as for work experience, snetterton isnt that far from east suffolk, why not give them a call or head down to a few race meetings and ask around, he may ave to hold spanners but its all about being there and learning....


the trade days at the show usually have the universities who have motrposrt focused degrees exhibiting who can offer advice as well as the companies themselves.

its not hard to get in on a trade day, just fill in the form and make up some stuff.

[clarkee200]

Back in the day, I lived on the Suffolk coast and found myself in the same situation. There isn't a lot of choice but I did some work experience with Holbay racing who where based in Ipswich, this was 1996 so not sure if they are still about. Great place to learn about engines and how to build things properly. Also I think there is a small btcc team based in suffolk who run a BMW 120d (abeilt not very well IMO).

In 1996 there was not many options, now there are hundreds of motorsport courses at colleges/universitys all over. If he is really serious then one day he will need to leave suffolk and get himself to oxford/nortants area.

[Dirty Boy]

Thanks for the info guys.

I presume he'll need to do a degree, he's very hands on, but whether he's up to it academically I have no idea.

I hope so though.

[bumpkin]

getting started could be helping a local racer or rally'er - there are actually quite a few about. with 2 stage rallies at woodbridge and a sprint at Bentwaters he may be able to find someone to help for a day - even if it's just making the tea and cleaning the glass he'll see what goes on. he will need an escort though.

scholar are still on the A140 north of Mendlesham, not sure on Holbay and Dunnell,

[Piglet]

What does he actually want to do?

At the moment he's handicapped by being under 16, he's not able to go into a pit lane and technically he's not even allowed in the garages at a circuit (but he's likely to get away with it as long as he doesn't take the piss).

Has he thought about cadet marshalling? He can do that under 16, he'll get to do Paddock marshalling and it will give him a starting point to demonstrate interest and willingness.

Good luck to him.

[lewis1]

its not what you know its who you know!
take him to every club meeting there is at snett early in the morning. go round the paddock and ask everyone there if they need a hand for the day,

anyone who says yes. get a phone number and email at the end and call them everyweekend there racing to do the same.

as for work experience does snet have a driving school?

[holmesy9]

Thank you guys for the info and i will be going to the motorshow in january and will ask around also i will try snetterton as i do go duing track days.

[Carpmart]

Fluid Motorsport are in Sudbury http://www.fluidmd.com/#/contact/

[Ferg]

Perhaps?

http://www.coltecracing.com/