Work experience for a Motorsports student: Chippenham area
Discussion
I am currently enrolled in Motorsports Engineering at Wiltshire college (Chippenham Campus) and as part of our course we must complete 20-30 hours of work experience at a motor sports work place preferably a team or circuit, or at a bare minimum a vehicle related work place, I have searched thoroughly through my local area to find any company willing to take me on but to no avail, so I have turned to you, collective mind that is pistonheads in hope I'll find someone that can help me, I am currently 17 so learning to drive but would preferably mind places that can be reached by foot, bus or train on a reasonably timed commute. I have a reasonable knowledge of cars and bikes and am willing to work to the utmost of my ability at any given place. If anyone knows of anyone or any places in my area that would be willing to take me on I'd be very thankful
mrspaghettipete said:
I am currently enrolled in Motorsports Engineering at Wiltshire college (Chippenham Campus) and as part of our course we must complete 20-30 hours of work experience at a motor sports work place preferably a team or circuit, or at a bare minimum a vehicle related work place, I have searched thoroughly through my local area to find any company willing to take me on but to no avail, so I have turned to you, collective mind that is pistonheads in hope I'll find someone that can help me, I am currently 17 so learning to drive but would preferably mind places that can be reached by foot, bus or train on a reasonably timed commute. I have a reasonable knowledge of cars and bikes and am willing to work to the utmost of my ability at any given place. If anyone knows of anyone or any places in my area that would be willing to take me on I'd be very thankful
Try looking into BTCC teams, I used to work for the company that owned Power Maxed Racing and we often had people doing work experience, Handy Motorsport are Wiltshire based so might be worth getting in touch with them.mrspaghettipete said:
I am currently enrolled in Motorsports Engineering at Wiltshire college (Chippenham Campus) and as part of our course we must complete 20-30 hours of work experience at a motor sports work place preferably a team or circuit, or at a bare minimum a vehicle related work place, I have searched thoroughly through my local area to find any company willing to take me on but to no avail, so I have turned to you, collective mind that is pistonheads in hope I'll find someone that can help me, I am currently 17 so learning to drive but would preferably mind places that can be reached by foot, bus or train on a reasonably timed commute. I have a reasonable knowledge of cars and bikes and am willing to work to the utmost of my ability at any given place. If anyone knows of anyone or any places in my area that would be willing to take me on I'd be very thankful
Try looking into BTCC teams, I used to work for the company that owned Power Maxed Racing and we often had people doing work experience, Handy Motorsport are Wiltshire based so might be worth getting in touch with them.davepoth said:
I guess you've spoken to Castle Combe already?
i was going to but people said rather then actually having an active motorsports role they tend to just host things so they wouldn't be too helpful, and I did see them partially at the autosports show but they led me towards synchro motorsports team, but thanks for the recommendation 
I actually graduated from the degree course at Castle Combe back in 2013, I don't recall being required to go out and get 20-30 hours experience as part of the course, but most of us got speaking to teams on our lunch breaks when there were test sessions going on and we all ended up doing work for various teams anyway.
Get involved with the colleges formula ford team, one of my course mates was heavily involved, became no 1 mechanic and when his car started winning races, he got pinched by other teams. He's worked his way up hopping between various teams and car types and now he's just posted photos on twitter of him working for Optimum Motorsport at the Dubai 24h race - they run Audi R8 LMS cars.
Another guy from my year just kept sending out enquiries to various teams and ended up being offered a volunteering place (at first, then paid) with a team running a Mosler in the Britcar championship.
The whole industry is based on getting the right contacts, so the best thing you can do is spend your lunch and break times out in the paddock when there are test days on and get to know people. Opportunities come from all over the place and the next person you speak to might need a hand with something on their car.
Myself, I owned a modified MX5 at the time and got chatting to a team racing in what is now the MAX5 Racing championship that were doing a test day, and ended up spannering for them at Rockingham over a weekend. My career went in a different direction to full time racing (ended up on the grad scheme with JLR) but it was brilliant experience and something I won't forget.
Let me know if you need any further pointers
Get involved with the colleges formula ford team, one of my course mates was heavily involved, became no 1 mechanic and when his car started winning races, he got pinched by other teams. He's worked his way up hopping between various teams and car types and now he's just posted photos on twitter of him working for Optimum Motorsport at the Dubai 24h race - they run Audi R8 LMS cars.
Another guy from my year just kept sending out enquiries to various teams and ended up being offered a volunteering place (at first, then paid) with a team running a Mosler in the Britcar championship.
The whole industry is based on getting the right contacts, so the best thing you can do is spend your lunch and break times out in the paddock when there are test days on and get to know people. Opportunities come from all over the place and the next person you speak to might need a hand with something on their car.
Myself, I owned a modified MX5 at the time and got chatting to a team racing in what is now the MAX5 Racing championship that were doing a test day, and ended up spannering for them at Rockingham over a weekend. My career went in a different direction to full time racing (ended up on the grad scheme with JLR) but it was brilliant experience and something I won't forget.
Let me know if you need any further pointers
Slinky1989 said:
Another guy from my year just kept sending out enquiries to various teams and ended up being offered a volunteering place (at first, then paid) with a team running a Mosler in the Britcar championship.
Sounds like Neil Garner in Kemble so definitely worth a call as Neil is more than happy to help out students and I know 2016 is going to be pretty busy for him.Give it a few days and if nothing then certainly pick up the phone. It can be nerve wracking calling the first time but the worst that will happen is he'll tell you there's nothing available at the moment. It's better to know for sure then wonder if your email was overlooked. Good luck.
jurbie said:
Give it a few days and if nothing then certainly pick up the phone. It can be nerve wracking calling the first time but the worst that will happen is he'll tell you there's nothing available at the moment. It's better to know for sure then wonder if your email was overlooked. Good luck.
Thanks for the confidence haha! And well I'm used to phoning people up about things so it's no biggie it's just I've sent out loads of messages and mails that if they all reply back I'll have a hard time choosing, but thanks means a lot to have this feedbackGassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff