Anyone need trackside assistance?
Anyone need trackside assistance?
Author
Discussion

mark foster

Original Poster:

11 posts

235 months

Saturday 18th February 2006
quotequote all
hello all,

I'm new to this site, my brief background is, I'm a second year motorsport engineering student at Coventry University. I've built one track car by myself, and been involved in Formula Student for two years running, set to be team manager for Coventry's Formula Student team next year. So i'm quite handy with a spanner, and believe i have a good understanding over what makes a car fast round a circuit.

I'm looking to get experience of trackside engineering/ race car setup of any sort asap, any type/level.
Please let me know if you could use someone like me.

I'm also looking for a placement year from this July if any larger teams happen to see this, or if you have any contacts of people who may be interested in me please forward my email.


Best Regards,

Mark (mark_foster17@hotmail.com)

Graham

16,376 posts

301 months

Sunday 19th February 2006
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Hi, we've had someone from PH come and help us for the last few years, first Matt Batchelor and then Iain Jones... We're only a small team Running a Tuscan in the TVRCC/Tuscan Challenge, but your more than welcome to come and help us out at any rounds you can make.


You shouldnt even get wet this year as were running out of a nice big truck with an awning.

Actually I see your at Cov Uni. there is a chance we'll be there using the facilities at some point with the tuscan as we're only based in Kidderminster.

Drop me a line if your interested


Cheers

Graham Walden

skr

2,732 posts

253 months

Sunday 19th February 2006
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Hi Mark,

I race an MX5 in the BARC's Max5 Championship and would be glad of some help at the track.

Not quite as up market as TVR's, and I certainly would'nt call us a team -just me and a couple of mates. I have already arranged for another team to assist me in setting my car up this year but could always do with having another point of veiw.

So if the thought of camping does not put you off, then I will be happy to supply the food and beers and could do with the help.

I am based in Milton Keynes so email me through my profile if you are interested.

Finchy172

389 posts

236 months

Sunday 19th February 2006
quotequote all
Hello there

Your in the same boat as me, in 2nd year at herts uni.

Ive put a few posts on here and had a few replies which has been great!

have you done the writing letter thing yet? and banging on peoples doors?

mark foster

Original Poster:

11 posts

235 months

Tuesday 21st February 2006
quotequote all
Thankyou for all of the replies,

I will get back to both of you about trackside assistance,

Finchey: I've sent off 12 CV's to all the places I know of I want to work for, but only recieved a responce from Prodrive saying they will review me in April.
Therefore I am not extremely confident that I will be offered a placement, and if building your own racecar, being involved in FS for two years and getting good grades isn't enough to get a placement I don't know what is!

Well thats my experience, but good luck to yourself.

Regards,

Mark

Finchy172

389 posts

236 months

Tuesday 21st February 2006
quotequote all
I have sent over 60 letters,
I have received a probably 30 saying they do not either have the funds or they have a full race team already,
8 companies are looking into the matter and I have a few interviews lined up, and i havent heard from the rest. But no news is good news in my experience.

Formula Student wont get you everywhere but its a start. I worked with caterhams for a few seasons helping out and currently building a high performance kit car, so my experience is better than some others thankfully!

Im afraid you cant be selective with placements, yes i dream of working at somewhere such as Prodrive but they have thousands of applicants a year and only take the very top few.
I have explored nearly all the series'
F3, GP2, F Renault, F Bmw, Porsche cup, Caterhams, F Ford, Clio cup, Consultancies, Radicals, GT, British GT, F1, Wrc,

covunimotorsport

53 posts

235 months

Tuesday 21st February 2006
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Have you tried A1 GP?

Hopefully at Coventry we will have an advantage with that series as I am on good terms with Brian Sims, the marketing director of team GB. Ive arranged for him to give a lecture at the uni next tuesday which will be interesting. If any of you have any questions for him, feel free to email me them.

Sadly this means i only get to go to the Monday F1 testing day at Silverstone

Finchy172

389 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
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Can you ask him if he requires a motorsport student for 12 months?

I looked at coventry but chose my current uni, howver we dont have many motorsport speakers/teams that are associated with us. So ive had to go bareback into this.

I have many teams that said i can work voluntary but the uni wont allow this as its a engineering institute setup im led to beleive so its a 12 month paid placement somewhere.

do you have any extra tips or contacts at all please?

Cheers
Brad

ccharlie6

773 posts

257 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
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hey covuni whens the lecture havent seen any flyers up around FW yet? is it open to all engineering students

covunimotorsport

53 posts

235 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
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Im currently working on a poster, yeah any cov uni student can come, the more the merryer cos we need to show that him taking the time out is appreciated. He will be selling discounted copies of his awesome book on obtaining sponsorship so bring your money.

This guest lecture was not arranged by the uni, I did it off my own back after I read his book. I have contacted quite a few people and companies about giving lectures but the way they see it is that unless they are earning enough money to cover expenses and make profit, it aint worth their time.

Id recommend just finding people who you would like to give a guest lecture and ask that person directly. The cov uni engineering budget has already been fully dispensed on our 3 major motorsport projects but because Brian only wishes to have his expenses covered (£60 - £100), the uni are willing to cover this.

Nic Jones

7,166 posts

237 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
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Hi guys I'm a first year at Hertfordshire doing Aerospace.

Ultimately I want to get into the motorsport industry, but I know some people already in it and competition is horrendous to get in.

One guy I know worked for Mitsubishi WRC team but lost his job so fast when they decided to pull out and someone else I know works for Williams, I think there were thousands of applicants for that job.

topwelshman

2,093 posts

260 months

Monday 27th February 2006
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We're looking for help this season in Production S1 and some of the Dutch Supercar rounds, especially Zandvoort which is supporting DTM, email me if you're interested