What should I do?

[SidewaysFeltham]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

Hi

How can you say I cant spell when i dont think this is even a word "cynicism".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism

In the hope that you can at least read................

[C_D]

James

Firstly I suggest you use a word processing package (Microsoft Word) to write your posts (to check your spelling), or even better invest in a dictionary. Suggesting that ‘cynicism’ is a made up word not only makes you look like a chump, but is also the start of a slippery slope to abusing the very people you are hoping to obtain advice from.

In terms of what you should do next is a difficult question to answer; I have seen several jobs for trainee mechanics listed in Autosport in recent months, but your apparent lack of transport is going to greatly narrow your options (as you are likely to be paid bottom dollar for such a job, making relocation difficult).

In terms of staying in education, there is little wrong with doing so. Employers will only be put off by irrelevant subjects, and formal proof of your ability to learn and achieve will only help your CV. I am currently in my final year of a Motorsport Engineering Degree, and have detested every minute. Formal classroom teaching bores the life out of me, but it is a necessary evil.

I suggest you look at the following site: http://www.nc4m.ac.uk/ (if you haven’t already), and take advantage of the careers service at your college (if only to put a coherent CV together).

Ultimately there is no right or wrong answer to your predicament, but bear in mind that the motorsport jobs market is as much about good luck/timing/contacts as it is about your experience or qualifications.

[wills]

Countryside does suck especially the hayfever but thats something I've really got to get over if I really want to be involved in motorsports. I can relate to your situation when I was at uni, everyone just ****es off after lectures and being on the outskirts of the city there was jack all to do in free time. Maybe you should take on a personal project such as rebuilding an engine in your free time or doing up a car to be ready for when you're old enough to learn to drive. Something like this would look very impressive on your portfolio.

[tristancliffe]

If you don't care about maths and physics, or engineering skills, and just want to be a grease monkey for the rest of your life (which some people do, so I'm not criticising you [and yes, that's a real word!], then why go to college? Surely with some spanners and a scrap car you can learn in roughly a month, everything you'll need to know to get a job. Sure, you might need to read an old AA Book of the Car, and yes you'll be limited to the dirtiest and most unreputable garages for a while (not motorsport), but you will learn.

And it's not in the classroom!

[AU N EGL]

Race Mechanic or Race Engineer? Simple question.

Race engineers have degrees in Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, aerodynamics or some strong engineering degree PLUS strong computer background. In many cases these guys LOVE to get their hands dirty building or rebuilding parts of or whole race cars.

Race mechanics can tear anything off the race car and rebuild it with their eyes closed.

Look at many of the guys who actually race here on the form. Not all of them are engineers or mechanics, but man if they want to race they learn how to be a mechanic fast.

These hobbiests or club racers, semi-pro ( in name only) who build and race their own cars know how to do a lot of thier own mechanical things, or they know other ppl who to ask how to do it or get it done. I fit into this category.

To give you an idea. Love the sport or hate the sport, but NASCAR Technical Institute teaches race mechanics http://www.uti.edu/NascarTech/tabid/58/Default.aspx

NTI training programs:
"Your training will cover all the fundamentals, from basic engine systems to electronics, power trains, brakes, climate control, transmissions and passenger restraint systems. You’ll also get high-tech training on complex technologies such as onboard computers, electronic systems, computerized fuel-injection and computerized engine control. Your training program will also include six weeks of performance engine training. You’ll learn advanced techniques for building and testing a competitive NASCAR engine.

At NASCAR Tech, you’ll learn everything you need to succeed in today’s automotive industry. When you’ve completed Automotive Technology training, you’ll have all the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience
you need to get a great-paying, entry-level position as an automotive technician. And as a NASCAR Tech graduate, you’ll discover a wide-open road of opportunities waiting for you."

Manufactures programs
http://www.uti.edu/NascarTech/Manufa...7/Default.aspx


Hands ON getting dirty is the major experience that counts.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by C_D

James

Firstly I suggest you use a word processing package (Microsoft Word) to write your posts (to check your spelling), or even better invest in a dictionary.

Firefox is a web brouser that automticly checks your spelling and blocks lots of adds.

[C_D]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Firefox is a web brouser that automticly checks your spelling and blocks lots of adds.

Yeah it did a great job on that post ! I think you meant to write:

'Firefox is a web browser that automatically checks your spelling and blocks lots of ads.'

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by C_D

Yeah it did a great job on that post ! I think you meant to write:

'Firefox is a web browser that automatically checks your spelling and blocks lots of ads.'

Yup that too. When I need to hier another assitant, I will keep you in mind.

Back to helping James.

[Jamesd]

HI

Sorry about the word thing

But i understand where everybody is coming from, but i don’t think i want to become a engineering, as i am not too smart and it does not interest me, I always have been a very hands on person and always practical and that is why i think i should doing mechanics. I am learning to use Motec at the moment with a team i am working for, and i am even finding that very difficult to interpret the data, I think i am just going to stay at college I know I will regret it but I have no other choice, as knowbody is going to hire a young person with not much experience and not got easy transport, and all the local companies I have tried have just turned me away even for free work experience. I will try the local teams again and see what they say.

James

[Jamesd]

let alone I live in the UK and USA

[tristancliffe]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

But i understand where everybody is coming from, but i don’t think i want to become a engineering, as i am not too smart and it does not interest me, I always have been a very hands on person and always practical and that is why i think i should doing mechanics. I am learning to use Motec at the moment with a team i am working for, and i am even finding that very difficult to interpret the data, I think i am just going to stay at college I know I will regret it but I have no other choice, as knowbody is going to hire a young person with not much experience and not got easy transport, and all the local companies I have tried have just turned me away even for free work experience. I will try the local teams again and see what they say.

There are very very very few 'mechanics' in motorsport that either aren't reasonably competent engineers (even if they are not qualified engineers), or aren't interested in that side of things. A mechanic with little/no interest would work in a dodgy Kwik Fit competitors.

If you were on my side of the country I would consider asking for your help working on racing cars (aleit non-professional, and for free!) in return for experience and learning for yourself. However, you're not, so it will ne're be.

If you want to be in motorsport you'll need to understand lots of things. Understanding a MoTeC log will tax your engineering skills no end, as you try to work out what the car is doing, why it is doing it, how to stop it, and what other things the cure will do that might be worse than the cure on it's own.

In short - Racing at any serious level is ultimately for engineering/mechanical geeks. If you are not one, then it's not a career for you.

[Notso Swift]

Finishing what you have started, even if it is a crap course, looks better on the resume than quitting at the half way mark.
Is there a trade apprenticeship system in the UK? If so I think this is what James should look at. Especially if the placement is at a bussiness that does race stuff, doesn't need to be a team, a specialist business would be fine for the first couple of years.

[Jamesd]

Hi

yes there are apprentiships, but they are all based too far away from me.

James

[Jamesd]

HI

So to get a mechanic/enginner job would i need to go to UNI, as i dont really want to go.

James

[ubrben]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

HI

So to get a mechanic/enginner job would i need to go to UNI, as i dont really want to go.

James

Anybody who works on a computer at a circuit in a professional series has probably gone to Uni.

You can be a data analyst without good vehicle dynamics knowledge. A mech eng degree is the best way of guaranteeing that.

The glamour and "coolness" of motorsport seems to appeal to you, but the reality doesn't. My vote would be find another career.

BTW - I spent most of Uni going "what's the point of this" and having done a year in industry in the middle I really hated most of my lecturer's disconnection with the real world, but the fact remains that you need to do the boring bits to justify someone letting you do the cool things like track engineering at a high level.

If you're totally unintellectual (as you sadly appear) I would recommend getting your HGV license as the best way of getting into a team. Most of the non-specialist tasks in motorsport (setting up the garage and some mechanic jobs) are done by the truckies.

Ben

[GORDON STREETER]

Jamesd
Do you think that without any input into anything that the world owes you a living ? I (probably like a good percentage of people on 10/10ths) started off with sod all. You are lucky that you have courses and further education open to you in this day and age ! As I had secondary "education" (if you could call it that) in the late 50s we didn't have a lot of choice when we left school at 15.
We had what was called an employment officer that virtually told you what you should do. If you were academically bright you were a pen pusher and if you weren't you were a manual worker !
When I told him that I wanted to work in the film industry he looked at me as if I had dropped from space and was asking to be the next PM.
The ironical thing is that 20 odd years later I was doing some work on a top Yank film producers car that lived locally, and was offered a job! As I was established it would have been a major upheaval in my life and I declined.
One thing is for sure unless you know somebody on the "inside" I would think you would need masses of qualifications to even make the tea at a top F1 team in this day and age !

[tristancliffe]

Why don't you want to go to Uni James?

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

Well I want to be a number 1 mechanic, for a top le mans team or BTCC team.

I'm sorry to pour scorn on you some more James, but you should seriously either set your sights a lot lower, or be prepared to do *whatever* is necessary to get that job.

Those who are number 1 mechanics in BTCC, Le Mans, etc. work tirelessly to get where they are. They're motivated, resourceful, and willing to work their way to the very top.

Tristan said it best:

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.

It sounds like you're not prepared to do the work. It may sound harsh, but no more harsh than a prospective employer would be. If you quit your course, it will look bad on you - it will show that you're unwilling to finish the job. You don't even know what the course it about, for heaven's sake! The very least you could do is research that.

You seem to want to be spoonfed the answers by your college or the people on here - I'm afraid that isn't going to work for someone who wants to be top dog in a professional series. You have to do the research, try things out, and generally teach yourself - don't wait for others to do it for you.

If you can't or don't want to go to university, then I'm afraid you'd better quit your course now and accept a career further down the ladder - the serious motorsport teams will not want someone who doesn't feel like finding the answers to the problems.

[SidewaysFeltham]

I'm beginning to believe this thread is either a wind up; or the OP is so intransigent, responding is a total waste of good intent and time!

[Jamesd]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

Why don't you want to go to Uni James?

Both my older brother and sister went to UNI and they are still in debt 10years later, and they are in well paid jobs and I know motorsport is no that well paid,

Well I am willing to work, I want to be a mechanic, I work my arse off at college and doing 1 day a week work experience then also working 2 evernings a week, and that is all just to try and better myself and learn stuff about motorsport.

I think it might be better for me to change jobs, thought people wuld be helpful nottelling me tochange to a different job

james

[Jamesd]

Hi

Reading the post again, I will just carry on with my course and if a job comes up i will take that, but if no job i will do 2 year course and make the best out of a bad situation. So if i want to go to uni then and see and hopefully get to where i want to be some time in my life.

James

[tristancliffe]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

Both my older brother and sister went to UNI and they are still in debt 10years later, and they are in well paid jobs and I know motorsport is no that well paid,

Well I am willing to work, I want to be a mechanic, I work my arse off at college and doing 1 day a week work experience then also working 2 evernings a week, and that is all just to try and better myself and learn stuff about motorsport.

I think it might be better for me to change jobs, thought people wuld be helpful nottelling me tochange to a different job

james

I went to uni, and I'm still in debt, and will be for many years to come. But the payments are taken from my wages, and it's not that much per month anyway. The present rules state that after 25 years the loan is written off anyway (but that will change).

Anyway, despite a formal qualification in Mechanical Engineering, a full time job restoring classic cars, and a number of years of experience, I'm still learning new things every day, and I'm still spending 3 or 4 hours in the workshop at home preparing one race car most nights. It's hard work, but the result is very satisfying.

[ubrben]

Originally Posted by Jamesd

Both my older brother and sister went to UNI and they are still in debt 10years later, and they are in well paid jobs and I know motorsport is no that well paid,

Well I am willing to work, I want to be a mechanic, I work my arse off at college and doing 1 day a week work experience then also working 2 evernings a week, and that is all just to try and better myself and learn stuff about motorsport.

I think it might be better for me to change jobs, thought people wuld be helpful nottelling me tochange to a different job

james

It's clear that top level motorsport isn't for you. You lack the inquisitiveness needed.

I did a full time Uni degree (MEng 2:1) at the same time I did at least 40 hours a week on the Uni's Formula Student Team including racing in Detroit DURING my finals. I also raced in the Uni's triathlon team at the nationals and worked full-time at Westland Helicopters in my summer holidays.

1 day and 2-evenings a week isn't hard work relative to those you will be competing against to work in racing...

Ben

[Jamesd]

Hi

Ok, so everybody is saying motorsport is not for me, but i want to make it for me, so how could I improve myself to make sure I do get the job i want.

james

[tristancliffe]

Learn to love learning, and learn to love engineering. And hardwork. And grafting. And putting in the hours. And working for not a lot of money. And reading. And communication.