What should I do?

Jamesd · 25 Feb 2008, 13:58 (Ref:2137545)

Hi

I am coming to the end of my motorsport 1 year course, i was wondering if I should go on to two year course (which i all ready have a place for) or try and get a job, by then i should be driving and have no transport problems. Would I be able to get a decent job with only one year course and two years of doing weekend work at race meetings.

What do people think?

Are there any good websites for motorsport jobs?

James

MGDavid · 25 Feb 2008, 21:39 (Ref:2137890)

carry on with the course...

R59 · 25 Feb 2008, 21:55 (Ref:2137907)

Seconded.

Jamesd · 25 Feb 2008, 22:02 (Ref:2137917)

Hi

But the course is rubbish, as we dont actually do anything in lessons, so why would i want to waste two years of my life, learning nothing, as i know sombody on 2 year couse he hates his course,

James

R59 · 25 Feb 2008, 22:09 (Ref:2137928)

Do you want a career in motorsport, or do you want to be a part time weekend mechanic?

Jamesd · 25 Feb 2008, 22:17 (Ref:2137934)

Hi

Well I want to be a number 1 mechanic, for a top le mans team or BTCC team. But i cant understand how this course is helping me when there is no point in doing the course as i am not learning anything

James

gtr0505 · 25 Feb 2008, 22:39 (Ref:2137947)

im on a motorsports degree course at uni, i cant say what you should do but my advice is to speak to the second and third years to see what they are doing, the second year there are alot more oppertunities, but as they say uni is'nt for everyone, i found the first year is to get everyone to the same level so they can cope with the 2nd year can i ask what uni your at

Rich

wills · 25 Feb 2008, 22:58 (Ref:2137961)

Uni is different to college, I'd say you should ought to have a few words with the people running the course if you find that you're learning nothing, afterall its your course. Don't these motorsport courses do something like a project in their second year like building a race car or something?

wills · 25 Feb 2008, 23:11 (Ref:2137976)

And anyway weren't you enjoying your course, how did the turd hit the fan?

AU N EGL · 25 Feb 2008, 23:50 (Ref:2138001)

Ask some professors for students names who graduated from this motor sports courses or program.

Then contact these students and see where they got motor sports jobs and careers and how they like it?

Oh by the way, when was the last time you took a transmission apart to change gear ratios? or pulled the heads off an engine to check valve clearance and spring tension? let alone flow bench new heads?

Get a good education in both classroom AND the race shop. Then start pounding the pavement and on doors.

Good Luck

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 06:40 (Ref:2138132)

Hi

I know a couple of people who finished that course, and at the moment they are out of motorsport work and have to work in a local car garage, as the dont have enough experience.

Oh by the way, when was the last time you took a transmission apart to change gear ratios? or pulled the heads off an engine to check valve clearance and spring tension? let alone flow bench new heads?

We have done known of the above.

James

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 06:42 (Ref:2138133)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtr0505

im on a motorsports degree course at uni, i cant say what you should do but my advice is to speak to the second and third years to see what they are doing, the second year there are alot more oppertunities, but as they say uni is'nt for everyone, i found the first year is to get everyone to the same level so they can cope with the 2nd year can i ask what uni your at

Rich

I am at lackham college, doing a BTEC first diploma in motorsport

James

***Chris Y*** · 26 Feb 2008, 08:55 (Ref:2138191)

What does the course actually teach. "motorsport" covers a wide variety of disciplines.. Are you training to become a mechanic, a designer, a pitbabe?

What are the course's stated aims?

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 09:10 (Ref:2138208)

Hi

I am not sure what the course is actually suppose to be teaching us, never seen any course aims

James

tristancliffe · 26 Feb 2008, 10:17 (Ref:2138255)

Why on earth are you on the course then? Surely you did some research into what you were going to be taught, and whether race teams would be interested in it?

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 10:32 (Ref:2138266)

Hi

yes i did do research but, the course sounded good, but is was not, thought i would actually learn somthing but you dont, I hate every day there and i have to be up at 6am to get the bus to get to college.

James

***Chris Y*** · 26 Feb 2008, 10:55 (Ref:2138281)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesd

yes i did do research but, the course sounded good

What sounded good about it then? What did you *think* you were going to learn, and what did they *say* you were going to learn?

I refuse to believe that any teaching establishment would have a course with such a vague title that didn't tell you what the course was for!

SidewaysFeltham · 26 Feb 2008, 12:48 (Ref:2138353)

Forgive my total cynicism, but neither the guy who asked the question nor the other one at "Uni" "doing" a Motorsports Degree can spell or type.

'Spose we have to be grateful that there were no such things as "Motorsports Degrees" when Chunky, Eric Broadley and Derek Bennet were young!

Surely, someone who is really serious would opt for an engineering degree at Loughborough and then hope to be adopted, eventually, by one of the teams after some dedicated design and theoretical work for a lesser formula outfit?

Beats me!

tristancliffe · 26 Feb 2008, 12:59 (Ref:2138362)

I think in about 10 years time Motorsport Degrees and Motorsport Engineering Degrees might become accepted by major race teams, but I'd have though a more specific degree in Mechanical, Automotive or Aeronautical engineering would still get the top jobs.

The other route of course is to start at the bottom as a team tea-maker, and gradually work your way up showing enthusiasm, dedication, the willingness to work silly hours for little/no overtime, and willingness to learn not just by watching, but by reading and tackling problems from a proper engineering method.

Or just buy an old car, pretend your a racing driver, and watch the really quick stuff on TV. Like me.

SidewaysFeltham · 26 Feb 2008, 13:51 (Ref:2138394)

Totally agree.

Most of the top flight designers of today enjoy a formal and recognised qualification which includes significant exposure to stress engineering, aerodynamics and material properties.

All thus based in pure engineering disciplines.

And all that apart, modern automotive design is all focused on three dimensional CAD and state-of-the-art simulation, which needs pretty excellent maths.

Sadly, with the probable exception of 750 MC, the old days of the Broadley cousins building a handbeaten ally bodied spaceframe winner in a couple of lock ups in Bromley are history.

Even re-mapping ECU chips requires a pretty good grounding in solid state electronics engineering, these days.

Any main dealer involved with simple servicing to manufacturer's specs, requires a huge investment in advanced diagnostic and testing equipment, as well as a heavy investment in factory training of technicians.

This is set to become even more significant as manufacturers roll out totally sealed for life powertrains.

The old image of the grease spattered wrenchman, able to fix most automotive problems has effectively died.

Top echelon racing teams are a multi-million a week turnover business, requiring access to the best facilities and personnel.

I suppose there is always "Management" of a seaside Go Kart track!

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 15:40 (Ref:2138462)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Y

What sounded good about it then? What did you *think* you were going to learn, and what did they *say* you were going to learn?

I refuse to believe that any teaching establishment would have a course with such a vague title that didn't tell you what the course was for!

I am not sure, it was the only option i had, i had know sombody who had done it, and said it was good, but they have changed the course and it is a total waste of time

James

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 15:43 (Ref:2138466)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewaysFeltham

Forgive my total cynicism, but neither the guy who asked the question nor the other one at "Uni" "doing" a Motorsports Degree can spell or type.

'Spose we have to be grateful that there were no such things as "Motorsports Degrees" when Chunky, Eric Broadley and Derek Bennet were young!

Surely, someone who is really serious would opt for an engineering degree at Loughborough and then hope to be adopted, eventually, by one of the teams after some dedicated design and theoretical work for a lesser formula outfit?

Beats me!

Hi

How can you say I cant spell when i dont think this is even a word "cynicism". I would not go to loughbourough, as it is not motorsport course, it is a standard enginnering course, and some of the tutors are not good there, as my brother who work as a sport tutor there recomended me not to go there.

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 15:47 (Ref:2138469)

Hi

Why do people talk about university, as i am not going to uni, as i only want to be a mechanic and I dont need to go to uni if i only want to do mechanic, as that is only for people who want to do more designing.

Correct me if i am wrong?

James

wills · 26 Feb 2008, 16:00 (Ref:2138480)

I've done electrical engineering at uni and all you learn are endless equations and theory. They can't even be arsed to demonstrate how they work in real life to you. So yes its all about designing from my experience. Not to mention the teacher/lecturer to student ratio - really doesn't work for me. Thats why I'm looking to go back to college this September.

Jamesd · 26 Feb 2008, 16:04 (Ref:2138486)

Hi

I am not enjoying college as much as i thought I would, one reason is the course and the other is being stuck in the middle of the countryside, and have nothing to do at college when no lessons.

James