15 replies to this topic

[kart_26]

Hi!
I've been following this forum for quite a few months now and really like the content here.
I am doing my mech engg. b. tech in hyderabad, India. I really want to get involved in motorsport engineering. could you suggest any good courses and books for a start? There is very little racing around here so I don't know where to go or what to do exactly. I hear Cranfield has a motorsport engg. course but I don't have an idea of how good it is. They have specified that they require motorsport experience which I can't gain here. So please suggest possible solutions.



Thanx n Regards
Karthik

[Greg Locock]

The good news is all you have to do is get to the UK (for instance), rock up to a motorsport team, and ask for a job.

On about your fiftieth try you'll get a job as a garage sweeper (u/p). Eventually you may be promoted to a body mechanic (u/p). After a few more job changes you'll get to be a race car engineer (pp).

The bad news is that u/p=unpaid. pp=poorly paid

So far as I know the Cranfield course is excellent.

[Orkun Ozener]

I've inspected Cranfield course from the net years before...but unfortunately The students taht ýs comýng from out side of Europen union countries you must pay 15000 pound...for the EU students 3000, if you have cash ýt is the best...Be Lucky...

[Greg Locock]

On a slightly related topic Renault F1 are advertising for control systems and vehicle dynamics engineers.

For 3 of the 4 jobs there is no motorsports experience required.

[kart_26]

Thanks for the replies but I'd just like to know whether there is a lot of competition for the motorsports course.The fees is pretty high too.can I get around by finding some part time job having anything to do with motorsport? And thanx Greg for the renault info. Will I have to learn French before trying to apply?



Karthik

[kilcoo316]

nope, the F1 chassis operation is based in Enstone England, but french would be a serious advantage as it helps cooperation with Viry, France (where the engines are built)

[Ben]

Originally posted by Greg Locock
On a slightly related topic Renault F1 are advertising for control systems and vehicle dynamics engineers.

For 3 of the 4 jobs there is no motorsports experience required.

Yeah, I noticed that ;)

Ben

[gbaker]

Just a thought, but if your interest is in engine design you may wish to consider the University of Central Florida's Master's program. It is open to degreed engineers only, is heavily concentrated in engine design and results in a Masters degree in Engineering.

Nearly all graduates get jobs in the racing industry.

[bakasan]

To join the program gbaker is talking about, you will need Motorsport experience and US education/ BS diploma necessary.


It is a Master degree that is focusing on the optimization of High Perfomance Internal Combustion Engines.
We do have one indian student in the program, I do not know his path before joining.

[gbaker]

bakasan,

Say Hi to Dr. Hoekstra for me.

[kart_26]

Hi!

Thannks to all of you for the info you've given. I am really interested in getting to do something with engines. The engine course sounds good but I can't understand how to get motorsports experience in a country that's hardly into motorsport. would tuning kart engines count as motorsport experience???




Regards

Karthik

[gbaker]

Originally posted by kart_26
Hi!

Thannks to all of you for the info you've given. I am really interested in getting to do something with engines. The engine course sounds good but I can't understand how to get motorsports experience in a country that's hardly into motorsport. would tuning kart engines count as motorsport experience??


Regards

Karthik

It looks like you are going to have to move someplace else for the experience, and exect to be poorly paid when you do.

The engine program was started at UCF because race teams were complaining that the engineers they were getting were often fresh out of school and had no experience. You will need to spend some time training after you graduate to get a real engineer's position on a team. You may as well do it getting a Master's degree.

Make sure you BS is US equivalent.

[kart_26]

Hi!

Thanx once again for the help. the UCF site is really painful. Lot of searching required and there are almost no course details. I also didn't find any specific mention of fees for the whole course. If any of you guys know more, please do tell me so. I've narrowed down to the cranfield course and the UCF course. I wold be grateful for any piece of advice.



Thanx n Regards
Karthik

[gbaker]

Originally posted by kart_26
I wold be grateful for any piece of advice.



Thanx n Regards
Karthik

Karthik,

E-mail me. I can get you contact info for the Dr. Hoekstra, who runs the program at UCF.

Gregg Baker, P.E.
gbaker@isaacdirect.com

[kart_26]

Hi All!

Thnak you for the help Gregg. I did send a mail to Dr. Hoekstra. There hasn't been any reply as yet. By the way, I'd like to know if any of you could suggest any other courses. It is always safe to have a a backup plan. Also, if any of you have been to the Cranfield course, just drop a message here. I would like to get in touch for some advice.

I would be really grateful for any help and suggestions.




Regards
Karthik

[gbaker]

Karthik,

The current issue (January 2004, Vol 14, #1) of Racecar Engineering has an article on Cranfield Graduates. You will find it interesting.

www.racecar-engineering.com