Career in Motorsport - Yorkshire
Discussion
Hey All,
I am a student at Warwick University, studying a Masters in Automotive Engineering and in my final year. I am part of the Formula Student team here, designing/building a single seater race car. My father and I own and race two Westfield racecars in National Championships (2009, 2010 and now preparing for 2011); I also have a Rigid HGV licence (to drive our 13t transporter) and intend to do my Artic licence this summer.
I am currently working part time with a team (TFL Racing) who race prepare and maintain several Caterhams for various race series and trackdays; and a couple Junos for the 'Speed' series. I also part-time work for TCS (TrackCar Services Ltd) who provide race support for various series and championships, particularly Caterhams. Finally I have a week arranged in easter working with a race team who specialise in historic racing/restoration/maintenance, mainly Chevrons B16/19s and a few modern GR8s.
From the above you can probably work out that I am a car enthusiast, the Motorsport side especially; it really is my passion. I am hard working, a quick learner and always keen to get involved and get my hands dirty - of which there is a lot of in Westy racing!
Does anyone know the best way for me to go about getting a more permanent position in a team. I understand that starting wages are going to be low, especially considering I have got little experience and technicians qualifications.
Any help greatly appreciated,
Harry.
I am a student at Warwick University, studying a Masters in Automotive Engineering and in my final year. I am part of the Formula Student team here, designing/building a single seater race car. My father and I own and race two Westfield racecars in National Championships (2009, 2010 and now preparing for 2011); I also have a Rigid HGV licence (to drive our 13t transporter) and intend to do my Artic licence this summer.
I am currently working part time with a team (TFL Racing) who race prepare and maintain several Caterhams for various race series and trackdays; and a couple Junos for the 'Speed' series. I also part-time work for TCS (TrackCar Services Ltd) who provide race support for various series and championships, particularly Caterhams. Finally I have a week arranged in easter working with a race team who specialise in historic racing/restoration/maintenance, mainly Chevrons B16/19s and a few modern GR8s.
From the above you can probably work out that I am a car enthusiast, the Motorsport side especially; it really is my passion. I am hard working, a quick learner and always keen to get involved and get my hands dirty - of which there is a lot of in Westy racing!
Does anyone know the best way for me to go about getting a more permanent position in a team. I understand that starting wages are going to be low, especially considering I have got little experience and technicians qualifications.
Any help greatly appreciated,
Harry.
Surprised, and if I'm honest, disappointed you're having to ask this question. You're in the industry working and studying at Masters level and you ask us! Doesn't your Uni help, or have companies not been visiting to headhunt the best on your course; that's what normally happens on the good courses at the best Unis. As you've been studying and working in the industry, have you not spotted a gap in the market for a particular service or product that your skills or education could help fill? And why have those companies you've already worked with and are about to work with not offered you a permanent position? I think the above post also confirms that if you are restricted by geography, you will always come off second best. Good luck!
davepoth - Yeah it does seem to all be down south a bit as that is where the tracks are! But wanted to base from home for a year or so as free to live; considering pay wont be a whole lot.
rog007 - I just thought I would ask around to see if anyone knows of any teams that are looking for people. Uni are useless on this side reli. They have ties to some companies but they are all automotive only jobs, no racing etc. I dont want to be stuck designing in an office all day.
I do have a few ideas for businesses but can't start them up until I have some more experience in the industry and have some money saved. The companies have offerred me possible long term jobs and seem quite ken but again they are away from Yorkshire. They are both Manchester teams.
rog007 - I just thought I would ask around to see if anyone knows of any teams that are looking for people. Uni are useless on this side reli. They have ties to some companies but they are all automotive only jobs, no racing etc. I dont want to be stuck designing in an office all day.
I do have a few ideas for businesses but can't start them up until I have some more experience in the industry and have some money saved. The companies have offerred me possible long term jobs and seem quite ken but again they are away from Yorkshire. They are both Manchester teams.
gordon17 said:
davepoth - Yeah it does seem to all be down south a bit as that is where the tracks are! But wanted to base from home for a year or so as free to live; considering pay wont be a whole lot.
rog007 - I just thought I would ask around to see if anyone knows of any teams that are looking for people. Uni are useless on this side reli. They have ties to some companies but they are all automotive only jobs, no racing etc. I dont want to be stuck designing in an office all day.
I do have a few ideas for businesses but can't start them up until I have some more experience in the industry and have some money saved. The companies have offerred me possible long term jobs and seem quite ken but again they are away from Yorkshire. They are both Manchester teams.
The options are: Move to where the jobs are, and struggle with money for a couple of years while you get some experience; or live at home and end up with a job in telemarketing. rog007 - I just thought I would ask around to see if anyone knows of any teams that are looking for people. Uni are useless on this side reli. They have ties to some companies but they are all automotive only jobs, no racing etc. I dont want to be stuck designing in an office all day.
I do have a few ideas for businesses but can't start them up until I have some more experience in the industry and have some money saved. The companies have offerred me possible long term jobs and seem quite ken but again they are away from Yorkshire. They are both Manchester teams.
Motorsport and the related automotive areas can be difficult to get into without any experience because everyone wants to do it and there's bound to be someone better than you.
I'd start by applying to everyone that you think you might like to work for (that means everyone). Show value in the things you have done; everyone has done FS so tell precisely what you designed on the car and how you optimised the design etc etc.
If you don't succeed at first then cast your net a little wider. Most of the people I know in the sector who have their dream job did not get there directly. Think for instance of joining the larger automotive companies (Lotus, Triumph etc) in a role where you can learn the skills that will look good on your CV. Once you're in a company it's much easier to move onto the things you want to do and also find the things you don't want to do. The biggest trick is to gain entry into a company in any way possible (I know someone progressing well in a top F1 team that started as a temporary storeman!).
Enthusiasm will get you there in the end. To get there quicker you've got to be slightly creative and ignore the obvious.
I'd start by applying to everyone that you think you might like to work for (that means everyone). Show value in the things you have done; everyone has done FS so tell precisely what you designed on the car and how you optimised the design etc etc.
If you don't succeed at first then cast your net a little wider. Most of the people I know in the sector who have their dream job did not get there directly. Think for instance of joining the larger automotive companies (Lotus, Triumph etc) in a role where you can learn the skills that will look good on your CV. Once you're in a company it's much easier to move onto the things you want to do and also find the things you don't want to do. The biggest trick is to gain entry into a company in any way possible (I know someone progressing well in a top F1 team that started as a temporary storeman!).
Enthusiasm will get you there in the end. To get there quicker you've got to be slightly creative and ignore the obvious.
Hey all,
Thanks for the replies.
Leeds220 & davepoth
I have looked at Ginetta but got a simple 'No opportunities Available' response, will try again though.
Ginetta would be a dream company to work for, the road or racing side. I have admired their cars for years and raced with them too. The engineering that has gone into them is stunning, absolutely beautiful machines. Couldn't find any adverts for jobs for them though at the moment...
Thanks for the comments Frik.
That makes a lot of sense and I will look into some bigger automotive companies to see what opportunities they might have available too. I am determined to work at this, motorsport and cars are my passion; I couldn't picture myself doing work on anything else. I would be happy to start anywhere in a company and start working my way upwards.
Also thank rhinochopig, I will look into the Porsche team. Bikes don't really interest me, they simply scare me! But rallying is a good idea to, always admired how a car can go around a corner, on gravel, at a rediculous speed; and make it look so effortless!
Harry.
Thanks for the replies.
Leeds220 & davepoth
I have looked at Ginetta but got a simple 'No opportunities Available' response, will try again though.
Ginetta would be a dream company to work for, the road or racing side. I have admired their cars for years and raced with them too. The engineering that has gone into them is stunning, absolutely beautiful machines. Couldn't find any adverts for jobs for them though at the moment...
Thanks for the comments Frik.
That makes a lot of sense and I will look into some bigger automotive companies to see what opportunities they might have available too. I am determined to work at this, motorsport and cars are my passion; I couldn't picture myself doing work on anything else. I would be happy to start anywhere in a company and start working my way upwards.
Also thank rhinochopig, I will look into the Porsche team. Bikes don't really interest me, they simply scare me! But rallying is a good idea to, always admired how a car can go around a corner, on gravel, at a rediculous speed; and make it look so effortless!
Harry.
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