Learning about the technical side of motorsport

[Hologide]

Hello all, first place here, so thought I ought to start with a hi . If this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it.

So a little about me - I'm in the second year of university studying physics, and my main life passion is motorsport. I'd give anything to drive, but my student budget doesn't really permit that, but I'm eager to be active in the industry, at any point between club racing to prototype racing like F1 and MotoGP.

Obviously my academic studies lend themselves well to aerodynamics - I'm getting on pretty well with Fluid dynamics, and have been considering looking into a PhD in CFD (computational fluid dymanics) which could serve me pretty well in a lot of industries, including motor-vehicle aero, hopefully.

However, my studies give me absolutely no experience or tuition in the mechanical aspects that encompass motorsport. Truth be told, I know next to nothing about cars and their mechanical operations whatsoever.

My basic question is, what would be the best way to develop a knowledge of general car mechanics? My first instinct would to be to buy a pretty wrecked old car/race car/kart and strip it down, tinker, understand each part and attempt to reassemble/renovate. A high risk of incurring cost though, and getting lost along the way.
Are there any useful texts that could develop one's knowledge of race-car mechanics? Perhaps it's quite common place for club racing teams to take on volunteers and learn through that method?

I'm not really sure, to be honest. Thanks very much for any input and support!

[Peat]

It's not unheard of for small teams (FFord, FRenault etc) to take on volunteers. Might be worth a shot?

Definatley worth getting your hands dirty rather than reading about it.

Good Luck.

[tristancliffe]

Where are you located? You might find someone not far from you who does a bit of club racing and would be glad of the help, or you might find a smaller proper team that would like a free pair of hands (to start with, whilst you learn)...

[Hologide]

I'm in Nottingham - if anyone located near-by could use another pair of hands! Thanks for the input

[Rubinho]

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102009

There's also plenty of information in the linked thread about motorsport courses and finding work experience. Best of luck!

P.S. I went to Uni did Computer Science, then Automotive Engineering and have been working in motorsport electronics track support for 5 years. I also worked in a road car garage (Alfa Romeo specialist) for free during my first couple of years doing engineering so I knew the right end of a spanner from the other and got used to getting my hands dirty.