Where to get into Motorsport?

[TVR653X]

This is my first post in here, so hello to everyone! I'm currently studying at Leeds College Of Music, on the BA Hons Popular Music course. However, ever since being a small child I've loved cars, and bought my first TVR in July. Since starting music college my desire to do something vehicle based has begun to make me doubt whether my future is in music. A number of people have suggested contacting Ginetta, which I am going to do, as they are based close to my hometown of York. However I obviously need a back up plan if they don't like me or can't offer me some help. So, where could I go? I really want to focus on motorsport and racing cars, learning about construction and maintenance, or perhaps go into manufacturing, but only in the sports car sector. I don't have any A-Levels (I did a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Musician), but my GCSEs look like this:
Science Double Award : AA
English Lit : A
Maths : B
Geography : B
English Language : B

Yes, I only have 6 as I was home tutored due to various circumstances and only had a small amount of tuition.

Anyhow, what can I get onto with my qualifications? Foundation degrees? Diplomas? Any advice would help me immensely!

[anonymous-user]

this is only my opinion but i think you will struggle. looking at this objectively, whilst there are a good number of motorsport/engineering comapnies out there, you are competiting against other people your age with a comprehensive engineering background who are already on the "right" courses, making contacts and working within the sport in their spare time gathering valuable experience, with all due respect, your gcses and alevels demonstrate a good academic base but arent much use to your current thoughts. bear in mind that a company like ginetta wll get a lot of requests similar to yours, what can you offer that someone else cant? of course with the right attitude you can do it but i wanted to get that out of the way so to speak!

first of all i guess the question is how mechanically minded are you? can you take a bicycle apart for example, clean it and replace all the parts in the correct place and they all work together - i know i cant and thats why motorsport is a hobby for me not a career. i just dont think like mechanical. i appreciate its a dumb analogy but it at leasr gets you thinking how much ocntact with mechanics you have had in life so far?

lots of places do motorsport courses, some are more heavily based around engineering, others have more of a management feel.

i typed "ucas motorsport" into google and got a few hits, http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp... none local to you so it might be a lot of upheval unless you are absolutely certain about this.... give the course lecturers a call etc and explain it all to htem, you might find them surprisingly helpful.

good luck....

[dpbird90]

Welcome to PH! I have been in a similar situation, I was all set with my A levels to do Chemistry at degree level then go out and work in the chemical industry. Unfortunately, I realised Chemistry is not what I thought it would be i.e. full of big explosions. So I took a rethink, and have ended up studying mathematics and engineering at uni. The most popular course for people getting into motorsport is mechanical engineering, luckily I have managed to take parts of that course as well as my maths engineering bits. If you've not really got the maths or engineering qualifications, what I can suggest is that you look at doing a foundation course in engineering, then perhaps move on to a mechanical engineering degree?

Also it's worth talking to any race teams near you. I know an Aston Martin Racing mechanic, who told me to look for local race teams and offer them your services (for free), he said even if it's making the tea it gives you a chance to look around, hopefully you'll be able to learn a lot and gain more vital experience for future career prospects.

Good luck!

[TVR653X]

Ok guys cheers for the advice. In terms of how mechanically minded I am, well, yes, I could easily take a bike to bits and put it back together. I haven't had much exposure to mechanics (due to my dad being mechanically inept), but when I put my mind to it I can easily dismantle/rebuild things (I was way into dismantling super soakers and repairing/improving and modifying them as a kid aged about 10). As for what i can offer....well, I'm keen, and my passion for cars, especially ones such as Ginetta, is probably unmatched (I've lived and breathed TVR since I was about 8).

I have thought about offering my services voluntarily, or perhaps seeing if they need someone to work on their cafe at Ginetta, something I will discuss with them tomorrow.

As for getting into motorsport, I'm hoping to go help out in the Tuscan Challenge with Graham Walden's team. I'll be making tea and cleaning wheels, but I'll get to speak to a lot of people in the know.

[skeggysteve]

TVR653X said:

I have thought about offering my services voluntarily, or perhaps seeing if they need someone to work on their cafe at Ginetta

Offering to help out for free is a very good start with any race team but you may have to get youself to the meeting and find somewhere to sleep etc.
Unless you are a very good looking young lady I doubt you'll fit in at the Ginetta 'cafe' - or at least the hospitality they offer at race meetings

TVR653X said:

number of people have suggested contacting Ginetta, which I am going to do, as they are based close to my hometown of York.

As you are a student I'll assume that was a drink induced mistake
They are based at Garforth. Leeds.
Linky

If you really want to get into motorsport then do anything you can, you will not regret it.
It can be very hard work, long hours, at lower levels the pay can be crap, some drivers are just 'difficult' , when the car come back on the flat bed after being stuck in the wall, it's raining, next race a few hours away, Snetterton testing in mid winter - I could go on!

But, if it what you really, really want to do then you will have the best time of your life, you will meet some really nice people, you will work with some very talented people, you will be able to tell if you are working with a talented driver, you will have the biggest buzz when 'your' driver does well etc. etc.

But, motorsport is dangerous. It is the most addictive drug ever!

[profstoff]

One of my daughter's ex-boyfriends was doing a Motorsports Engineering course. Pert of this included a period of work experience and he managed to get a place at Barwell, who were running the Halfords BTCC team at the time. After the work experience he continued to help out and at the end of the course was offered a part-time job. The work experience and subsequent help were unpaid.

My advice would be to do something similar but as soon as you get on the course, contact all the lcoal teams and race prep outfits and offer to do anything, and offer to work for free. I would have thought with your GCSE's (Maths and Science) you could get onto a local course.

The main thing is to show your potential employers that you are willing and able to do what it takes and that you don't expect a free ride. As a previous poster has said, you have to stand out above all the many other people who have the same dream.

[TVR653X]

skeggysteve said:

TVR653X said:

I have thought about offering my services voluntarily, or perhaps seeing if they need someone to work on their cafe at Ginetta

Offering to help out for free is a very good start with any race team but you may have to get youself to the meeting and find somewhere to sleep etc.
Unless you are a very good looking young lady I doubt you'll fit in at the Ginetta 'cafe' - or at least the hospitality they offer at race meetings

TVR653X said:

number of people have suggested contacting Ginetta, which I am going to do, as they are based close to my hometown of York.

As you are a student I'll assume that was a drink induced mistake
They are based at Garforth. Leeds.
Linky

If you really want to get into motorsport then do anything you can, you will not regret it.
It can be very hard work, long hours, at lower levels the pay can be crap, some drivers are just 'difficult' , when the car come back on the flat bed after being stuck in the wall, it's raining, next race a few hours away, Snetterton testing in mid winter - I could go on!

But, if it what you really, really want to do then you will have the best time of your life, you will meet some really nice people, you will work with some very talented people, you will be able to tell if you are working with a talented driver, you will have the biggest buzz when 'your' driver does well etc. etc.

But, motorsport is dangerous. It is the most addictive drug ever!

One day, I want to be THAT driver. But from my understanding, the only way to be the driver is to be pretty well off? I have naff all money so I can't do that.

[Piglet]

TVR653X said:

and my passion for cars, especially ones such as Ginetta, is probably unmatched (I've lived and breathed TVR since I was about 8).

I just wanted to pick up on this point. There are huge numbers of people who want to "work" in motorsport (I use the quote marks because there are very few people who actually make a good living at it!).

Trying to get in on an unpaid basis is good but there are loads of people trying to do the same thing and you will be competing against guys who have spent every weekend since the age of 8 at kart circuits and have been engineering their own karts since the age of 10. Not just the rich kids but the "dads and lads" who have lived out the back of transit vans for years and who really have demonstrated their commitment to motorsport.

That to me demonstrates passion, I struggle to see how you ended up in such an unrelated field if your real passion is sports cars?

What else have you done? Have you marshalled, hung out at circuits, participated in forums? What have you done that demonstrates your commitment? That's what I would want to know if you came knocking on my door, plus of course what can of offer me, why would I pick you rather than someone who is part way to an engineering qualification?

I'd get yourself to a track and go and shake hands and talk to teams, you might strike it lucky with a manufactuer but your better chance would be to try to find yourself a role making tea, washing wheels and go-fering at circuits. You'd almost certainly have to do this at your own expense until you proved that you were useful to someone.

I'm trying not to be negative but to be realistic and I think these are some of the issues that you will need to overcome.

Good luck

[TVR653X]

Piglet said:

TVR653X said:

and my passion for cars, especially ones such as Ginetta, is probably unmatched (I've lived and breathed TVR since I was about 8).

I just wanted to pick up on this point. There are huge numbers of people who want to "work" in motorsport (I use the quote marks because there are very few people who actually make a good living at it!).

Trying to get in on an unpaid basis is good but there are loads of people trying to do the same thing and you will be competing against guys who have spent every weekend since the age of 8 at kart circuits and have been engineering their own karts since the age of 10. Not just the rich kids but the "dads and lads" who have lived out the back of transit vans for years and who really have demonstrated their commitment to motorsport.

That to me demonstrates passion, I struggle to see how you ended up in such an unrelated field if your real passion is sports cars?

What else have you done? Have you marshalled, hung out at circuits, participated in forums? What have you done that demonstrates your commitment? That's what I would want to know if you came knocking on my door, plus of course what can of offer me, why would I pick you rather than someone who is part way to an engineering qualification?

I'd get yourself to a track and go and shake hands and talk to teams, you might strike it lucky with a manufactuer but your better chance would be to try to find yourself a role making tea, washing wheels and go-fering at circuits. You'd almost certainly have to do this at your own expense until you proved that you were useful to someone.

I'm trying not to be negative but to be realistic and I think these are some of the issues that you will need to overcome.

Good luck

The reason for this is that my parents looked down on motorsport as a 'hobby'. It's the classic 'what do you want to do when you grow up?', and you inevtiably get the answer 'pilot, astronaut, racing driver'. Academic subjects were what was encouraged, as my original goal was to actually be a pilot. My dad is on this forum, and he may read this, but he is a man who speaks a lot, says he'll do this and that, but never actually does until someone opens the door up for him, and I'm much the same. He encouraged me into music as it's something he enjoys and listens to immense amounts of, but motorsport was just something he'd watch occasionally (he always aspired to own a TVR, but it took me to show him PH, get him to join, trawl adverts, find out running costs, and make him realise his ambition was actually viable). He's also very mechanically inept....he can tell you HOW something is made, but actually doing it is a very different matter. I've always been a more hands on 'get your hands dirty' kind of person. I learn by watching other people, not by sitting in a classroom reading it from a whiteboard/text book.

[Piglet]

TVR653X said:

[My dad is on this forum, and he may read this, but he is a man who speaks a lot, says he'll do this and that, but never actually does until someone opens the door up for him, and I'm much the same.

You're not selling youself to me!

Seriously, this is a hugely competitive world you're aspiring to. You need to convince people that you have drive, determination and ability and those things are not coming out in your posts.

[TVR653X]

Piglet said:

TVR653X said:

[My dad is on this forum, and he may read this, but he is a man who speaks a lot, says he'll do this and that, but never actually does until someone opens the door up for him, and I'm much the same.

You're not selling youself to me!

Seriously, this is a hugely competitive world you're aspiring to. You need to convince people that you have drive, determination and ability and those things are not coming out in your posts.

No, I guess not. I've got nothing to offer anyone I guess, apart from a deep desire to see British Engineering, especially cars, back on the top of the pile. I'm sick of seeing Porsches and Ferraris stealing all the limelight, with only Aston Martin really flying the flag for Britain anymore. I remember the days of Marcos, Lister and TVR dominating GT racing. People may out do me on knowledge, but they will never out do me when it comes to my passion for British cars. That is why Ginetta ticked all the boxes when it came to finding somewhere to channel my drive and determination. Should I enrol on this? http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/courses/motorsp...

I rang them and they WILL take me on with my current qualifications. I can apply this year but I'm behind the other students. I could take another year out, and maybe see if Ginetta will let me do part time work/voluntary work (I will need some income from somewhere though).

[CampDavid]

If they'll let you start now then I'd move now. Right now. You're only about 2 weeks behind, you could be all cought up in a couple of weeks.

I'd also lose the "British cars on top thing". Motorsport is hugely international and you'll come accross as xenophobic

[TVR653X]

CampDavid said:

If they'll let you start now then I'd move now. Right now. You're only about 2 weeks behind, you could be all cought up in a couple of weeks.

I'd also lose the "British cars on top thing". Motorsport is hugely international and you'll come accross as xenophobic

I have to send scans of my various GCSEs and Diploma Certificates, but once I've got that done, I should be able to sort out if I can move.

I'm not xenophobic....i'm just patriotic when it comes to sports cars!

[CampDavid]

TVR653X said:

CampDavid said:

If they'll let you start now then I'd move now. Right now. You're only about 2 weeks behind, you could be all cought up in a couple of weeks.

I'd also lose the "British cars on top thing". Motorsport is hugely international and you'll come accross as xenophobic

I have to send scans of my various GCSEs and Diploma Certificates, but once I've got that done, I should be able to sort out if I can move.

I'm not xenophobic....i'm just patriotic when it comes to sports cars!

I'm not saying you are, I'm mearly saying that's the way you'll come accross

[snorkel sucker]

I too love cars, and motorsport, but realistically know that my talents lie elsewhere in the career stakes. One of my best friends in uni did an automotive degree and had been tinkering with cars from a very young age. He managed to get a very good automotive related job but he genuinely was very talented and, like i say, degree qualified and experienced.

My suggestion to you would be to continue in the career path you are carving for yourself and focus more on gaining a work/life balance where you can take up motorsport as a hobby.

You can get a race licence from any MSV circuit for £250 i think. I would then look into getting yourself setup in a "cheap" motorsport class - maybe a ginetta, or a caterham etc? yes it will be expensive, and no its not what you "wanted", but if your pasison is as great as you say, it should fuel your desire. Im sure you may even be able to get more involved with true british motorsport via an owners club, or even getting involved in promoting your chosen race series?

If I had my working life again (its only been 5 years since i graduated) i would have done something like this. I have no regrets though - my job allows me the best of both worlds; a career which i know im better at doing that i would be at anything automotive, plus it allows me the money and time i need to enjoy cars/motorsport in my free time

think laterally mate, not literally, would be my advice

[TVR653X]

snorkel sucker said:

I too love cars, and motorsport, but realistically know that my talents lie elsewhere in the career stakes. One of my best friends in uni did an automotive degree and had been tinkering with cars from a very young age. He managed to get a very good automotive related job but he genuinely was very talented and, like i say, degree qualified and experienced.

My suggestion to you would be to continue in the career path you are carving for yourself and focus more on gaining a work/life balance where you can take up motorsport as a hobby.

You can get a race licence from any MSV circuit for £250 i think. I would then look into getting yourself setup in a "cheap" motorsport class - maybe a ginetta, or a caterham etc? yes it will be expensive, and no its not what you "wanted", but if your pasison is as great as you say, it should fuel your desire. Im sure you may even be able to get more involved with true british motorsport via an owners club, or even getting involved in promoting your chosen race series?

If I had my working life again (its only been 5 years since i graduated) i would have done something like this. I have no regrets though - my job allows me the best of both worlds; a career which i know im better at doing that i would be at anything automotive, plus it allows me the money and time i need to enjoy cars/motorsport in my free time

think laterally mate, not literally, would be my advice

Thanks for the advice. My problem is, I'm finding music a chore, not a joy.

If we go for what I'm GOOD at....I'm very good at motivating poeple, especially when it comes to fitness. I've been a gym goer for 4 years and the gym owner has encouraged me to enter a foundation sports degree. Is there any money in this area though? I wouldn't enjoy it as much as motorsport, but perhaps it's more suited to me?

[Piglet]

No!! Don't switch now...stop and think about what you really want to do with your life.

Is this your first year of Music college?

[GMX09]

I'd say progress... wait and see what happens with your Music course (and any other planned future education) and if nothing picks up, begin to look in other fields.

I've heard quite a few people say you shouldn't make your hobby your job.

TVR653X said:

Thanks for the advice. My problem is, I'm finding music a chore, not a joy.

If we go for what I'm GOOD at....I'm very good at motivating poeple, especially when it comes to fitness. I've been a gym goer for 4 years and the gym owner has encouraged me to enter a foundation sports degree. Is there any money in this area though? I wouldn't enjoy it as much as motorsport, but perhaps it's more suited to me?

I know quite a few people who have taken BTEC PE and other sports degrees who plan to be personal trainers and sports journalists.

Have you ever thought about teaching?

Edited by GMX09 on Monday 5th October 20:10

[RichB]

TVR653X said:

My problem is, I'm finding music a chore, not a joy.

...the gym owner has encouraged me to enter a foundation sports degree. Is there any money in this area though? I wouldn't enjoy it as much as motorsport, but perhaps it's more suited to me?

So how on Earth did you wind up doing music at college? It's not as if there's any money in being a session musician or piano tuner, indeed all the musicians I know are penny broke! Was it your parents who encouraged that by any chance?

I'd have thought there is a better living to be made working at a gym and as a personal fitness coach.

I sell computer software, always have, not the least bit interested in computers but it's helped me towards some decent cars and a good lifestyle. I'd separate your love of cars from what you do as a living.

[TVR653X]

RichB said:

TVR653X said:

My problem is, I'm finding music a chore, not a joy.

...the gym owner has encouraged me to enter a foundation sports degree. Is there any money in this area though? I wouldn't enjoy it as much as motorsport, but perhaps it's more suited to me?

So how on Earth did you wind up doing music at college? It's not as if there's any money in being a session musician or piano tuner, indeed all the musicians I know are penny broke! Was it your parents who encouraged that by any chance?

I'd have thought there is a better living to be made working at a gym and as a personal fitness coach.

I sell computer software, always have, not the least bit interested in computers but it's helped me towards some decent cars and a good lifestyle. I'd separate your love of cars from what you do as a living.

My parents encouraged the music, yes. I have thought about becoming a teacher, but after seeing the stress and the bullst my dad has had to put up with (he is a teacher) I'd rather not enter into that field. Do you think I should perhaps do a level 3 qualification in personal training?