18 replies to this topic

[Tickers]

I've worked in F1 in the UK, but I've always wondered how different it would be to work in US motorsport. I'm thinking Indy or ALMS rather than NASCAR, I don't think I'd like it there. I'm aiming to work trackside as a data analyst/assistance race engineer.

Does anyone here have any experience working in both the UK and US, or know people who have gone to work in the US? I'm not asking about the difficulty of getting a visa (I know that's hard), I just want to know how the industry compares. Is it more/less advanced than you were thinking? How many people are there on an Indy/ALMS team? What are the areas like? I know most motorsport in the US is in NC or IA, though (thankfully) there are a couple of ALMS teams in California.

[mkay]

I've worked in F1 in the UK, but I've always wondered how different it would be to work in US motorsport. I'm thinking Indy or ALMS rather than NASCAR, I don't think I'd like it there. I'm aiming to work trackside as a data analyst/assistance race engineer.

Does anyone here have any experience working in both the UK and US, or know people who have gone to work in the US? I'm not asking about the difficulty of getting a visa (I know that's hard), I just want to know how the industry compares. Is it more/less advanced than you were thinking? How many people are there on an Indy/ALMS team? What are the areas like? I know most motorsport in the US is in NC or IA, though (thankfully) there are a couple of ALMS teams in California.

Why leave F1? Isn't that a downgrade?

[chrisblades85]

Why leave F1? Isn't that a downgrade?

Not everyone loves it once you've got in.

[Bloggsworth]

I've worked in F1 in the UK, but I've always wondered how different it would be to work in US motorsport. I'm thinking Indy or ALMS rather than NASCAR, I don't think I'd like it there. I'm aiming to work trackside as a data analyst/assistance race engineer.

Does anyone here have any experience working in both the UK and US, or know people who have gone to work in the US? I'm not asking about the difficulty of getting a visa (I know that's hard), I just want to know how the industry compares. Is it more/less advanced than you were thinking? How many people are there on an Indy/ALMS team? What are the areas like? I know most motorsport in the US is in NC or IA, though (thankfully) there are a couple of ALMS teams in California.

"I don't think I'd like it there..." That's like ordering calamara when you don't like squid! If you've decided before you go that you won't like it, then you won't, it's a simple as that. Your expectations will colour your attitude, your attitude will comfirm your experience.

There was once a traveller who stopped by a farmer and asked him what people in the next village were like. The farmer, being older and much wiser, asked him in return, “"What were the people like in the village you came from?"”

Then the traveler said, “"Awful! I couldn't stand those mean spirited people, that is why I am moving on!"” And the farmer replied, “"Well, the people in the next village will be very much the same."

Soon after, another traveller stopped by and asked the same question, “Good morning, would you tell me what kind of people will I meet in the next village?” The farmer replied, "How did you find the people like in the last village?”

This traveller was excited and replied, “"Actually they were the kindest I have ever met and I really did not want to leave them, but I need to get on my way", The wise farmer smiled and said to him, “"Don't worry, in the next village they will be just the same".”

Edited by Bloggsworth, 22 September 2010 - 18:59.

[Villes Gilleneuve]

In the distant past, I worked a while in F1 and longer in the US.

The issues that plague working in F1 also appear in US racing.

It can be painful to work on a team with a wealthy owner/driver that sucks.

The point: the experience can vary greatly from team to team.

Edited by Villes Gilleneuve, 22 September 2010 - 19:01.

[Tickers]

"I don't think I'd like it there..." That's like ordering calamara when you don't like squid! If you've decided before you go that you won't like it, then you won't, it's a simple as that. Your expectations will colour your attitude, your attitude will comfirm your experience.

When I said "I don't think I'd like it there" I meant NASCAR. It doesn't interest me at all. However, Indy and ALMS are interesting to me. Your fable may be interesting, but it's plain to see that working in the US will be quite unlike work in the UK. The countries are different on many levels, even before including the engineering industries.

It might be considered a downgrade by some, but until I spent my placement year in F1 I had always wanted to work in endurance racing. There's something about the long races that excites me more. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my work, I just like to keep my options open for the future. It's a shame USF1 didn't come about. It could have been a lot of fun, but actually a large number of people emigrated to the US for what turned out to be nothing.

Villes, where did you work (if you don't mind my asking), and how long ago was it? I've heard how bad it can be to work with owner/driver teams, so I'd never go to the trouble of leaving the country to work for one when there is such a high likelihood of the team ceasing to exist.

What were the hours like at your teams? I was working 0830-1830 most days, but during car build (Nov/Dec-Mar) the hours would be crazy, often past midnight for many people. I'm imagining that because ALMS/Indy teams don't build their own cars the winter isn't so bad.

[Villes Gilleneuve]

When I said "I don't think I'd like it there" I meant NASCAR. It doesn't interest me at all. However, Indy and ALMS are interesting to me. Your fable may be interesting, but it's plain to see that working in the US will be quite unlike work in the UK. The countries are different on many levels, even before including the engineering industries.

It might be considered a downgrade by some, but until I spent my placement year in F1 I had always wanted to work in endurance racing. There's something about the long races that excites me more. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my work, I just like to keep my options open for the future. It's a shame USF1 didn't come about. It could have been a lot of fun, but actually a large number of people emigrated to the US for what turned out to be nothing.

Villes, where did you work (if you don't mind my asking), and how long ago was it? I've heard how bad it can be to work with owner/driver teams, so I'd never go to the trouble of leaving the country to work for one when there is such a high likelihood of the team ceasing to exist.

What were the hours like at your teams? I was working 0830-1830 most days, but during car build (Nov/Dec-Mar) the hours would be crazy, often past midnight for many people. I'm imagining that because ALMS/Indy teams don't build their own cars the winter isn't so bad.

I was a teenager, worked for Osella f1 in the NA races, then worked in two Can-am teams. So, this was ages ago. Before that , I was karting in Europe and Canada, which is where I met all the people to get into F1.
I got out of it because of the long hours with little reward and the transient nature of the career -it's like being a carny at a circus. Also, not all teams in F1 exist to try to win races.

In F1, we did not sleep race weekends. Right now, the US is in really bad financial shape, and this means that teams are running paycheck to paycheck and it can all end in one week. Fine under 25, but then reality sets in when you meet the lifer mechanics. I worked with Ermanno Cuoghi at Alfa, he was a Porsche 917 lemans mechanic, Ferrari f1 mechanic and Lauda's Alfa mechanic. I could not imagine my life that way, even though he was a great guy.

[chrisblades85]

Thanks for the insight. It sure is a tough job being a mechanic in any team. F1 or not. Certainly isn't the glam side of things.

[Tickers]

Long post

Yeah, I know what to expect with the long hours. I have no idea how some of the travelling guys take it so long, I know it's something I'd like to do for a while, but I don't think I'd want it forever.

Thanks for the insight. It sure is a tough job being a mechanic in any team. F1 or not. Certainly isn't the glam side of things.

I loved it, though I wasn't travelling. Working at a team that does well helps things. The first part of my placement the team was seriously underperforming, which is quite disheartening and can make you doubt yourself.

[Bloggsworth]

When I said "I don't think I'd like it there" I meant NASCAR. It doesn't interest me at all. However, Indy and ALMS are interesting to me. Your fable may be interesting, but it's plain to see that working in the US will be quite unlike work in the UK. The countries are different on many levels, even before including the engineering industries.

It might be considered a downgrade by some, but until I spent my placement year in F1 I had always wanted to work in endurance racing. There's something about the long races that excites me more. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my work, I just like to keep my options open for the future. It's a shame USF1 didn't come about. It could have been a lot of fun, but actually a large number of people emigrated to the US for what turned out to be nothing.

Villes, where did you work (if you don't mind my asking), and how long ago was it? I've heard how bad it can be to work with owner/driver teams, so I'd never go to the trouble of leaving the country to work for one when there is such a high likelihood of the team ceasing to exist.

What were the hours like at your teams? I was working 0830-1830 most days, but during car build (Nov/Dec-Mar) the hours would be crazy, often past midnight for many people. I'm imagining that because ALMS/Indy teams don't build their own cars the winter isn't so bad.

Americans in general are very hospitable people, and as long as you reciprocate, all should be well. There are always people you may not like or who are difficult to work with wherever you go, that's life, but most experiences are what you make of them, go with an open mind and an open heart and you'll probably run into as cosmopolitan a bunch as work in F1; I'm amazed at the number of antipodean accents in IRL.

[Tickers]

Americans in general are very hospitable people, and as long as you reciprocate, all should be well. There are always people you may not like or who are difficult to work with wherever you go, that's life, but most experiences are what you make of them, go with an open mind and an open heart and you'll probably run into as cosmopolitan a bunch as work in F1; I'm amazed at the number of antipodean accents in IRL.

I have been to America a number of times, and I agree with you that most Americans I came across were extremely friendly. I think it's hard to get across in text what I want to know, and it would be hard to provide answers, being as it's such a personal thing.

[FlatOverCrest]

I worked in the US from 2005 to 2009, working at tracks in California, getting to know a few teams and series. I came back to the UK last year. If there is anything specific you would like to know, feel free to drop me a PM.

[chrisblades85]

Yeah, I know what to expect with the long hours. I have no idea how some of the travelling guys take it so long, I know it's something I'd like to do for a while, but I don't think I'd want it forever.



I loved it, though I wasn't travelling. Working at a team that does well helps things. The first part of my placement the team was seriously underperforming, which is quite disheartening and can make you doubt yourself.

I'm sure it's brilliant. It's something I would love to do if I had any chance.

[loki]

I have been to America a number of times, and I agree with you that most Americans I came across were extremely friendly. I think it's hard to get across in text what I want to know, and it would be hard to provide answers, being as it's such a personal thing.

Not a lot of jobs particularly in Indycar and sports cars. NASCAR has cut back but whatever few jobs are left are in Charlotte, not Indianapolis. Most of the guys working over here are happy to have jobs at all after what's happened the last couple of years. Over here getting a job is more who knows you rather than who you know. If you just turn up with your resume, err, sorry, CV in hand with no networking or contacts you probably ain't gonna land a gig. Then there is the nagging little detail of an H1-B visa or green card so you can work here legally. If you know someone that wants you to work for them they can make it happen.

[Captain Tightpants]

I'd like to work in America, but it wouln't be in motorsport because I'm a teacher ... so I don't really have any purpose posting in this thread.

[Ross Stonefeld]

This thread would probably do better in the Tech forum.

[ATM_Andy]

Why leave F1? Isn't that a downgrade?

No, not at all, depending on what you want to do other formula/series can offer different things. The remuneration in F1 is pretty good, but also the stress level is very high.

[Villes Gilleneuve]

I'd like to work in America, but it wouln't be in motorsport because I'm a teacher ... so I don't really have any purpose posting in this thread.

Do you have any idea what a teacher makes in the US? In many states, it's minimum wage work and schools are vastly underfunded. In urban areas, it's a very dangerous job.

[Rubens Hakkamacher]

I'd like to work in America, but it wouln't be in motorsport because I'm a teacher

Hard to say which profession is more dangerous here, both can involve flying metal and kevlar.


To the original poster: I haven't seen people muse about changing jobs casually since I was a little kid in the 70's. In the U.S., if you have "a decent job" that's ... unfathomable to most. I'd be
terrified to play around with that circumstance.