Modification garage "apprenticeship"?

[Leez]

Here's the story. I am currently a 2nd year mechanical engineer (4 year degree, 4.5 now that I've just failed a unit) and I want to eventually work for a formula one team. The advice I have been receiving is to go to race tracks now and ask if I can do jobs there and help out to gain experience, but I have and no one wants me. My second option now is to go to a mod shop and get them to teach me the ins and outs of modification, fabrication, etc etc. I don't mind working for them for free, I just want the experience and be taught things. However, I have emailed shops such as XSpeed and the likes, but they don't want me either.

I was wondering if you guys reckon this is the best way to start out my career and if anyone in WA knows any shops that would be willing to take on an intern/apprentice? As I said, I will do whatever they want me to do for free, but I want to be taught things, not just sweeping the floors. I understand the shops get really busy and most do not have the time to teach people, but I'm still hoping.

[aspir3]

You have to show you are keen, before any one will teach you any thing.
If you have to sweep the floor or clean parts to get in, so be it.
Once they realise you are keen and have a brain, being an Engineer. Your help will involve more technical stuff.
Do the hard yards first!

[tadz0rz]

If your really committed to it. Get in contact with Concord Customs. Even though their in sydney, maybe you can take 2 weeks off or something and head there for a bit of experience...

[ofey]

If you're in WA, might I suggest you get in touch with RPW. They are a sponsor of our club and they are exactly up your street.

Concord Customs are NOT quite the type of modders I think a future F1 engineer should be looking to. I suspect working with RPW will provide you sufficient back ground to get you started. Ask them for an internship and you will learn heaps.

[M@verik]

How to become a F1 team engineer is like this. First find out who u want to work for. Lets say BMW. After your degree u get a job at a BMW dealership doing servicing and repair. If they feel u are capable, they will send u on various training workshops and there u will meet people. Then u come back and display massive skill and u will get noticed. Once ur noticed the people u met (people with power) will review ur work and hopefully give u a job as F1 servicing engineer etc. But u really have to be good...

[SAM-24A]

Hi Leez, I was reading your post and thinking RPW-Western Australia (considering or location)

Then I read the following posts and Bingo "Ofey" said it all.
I agree with his advice entirely.

It's great to aspire and strive for prominence, However we are not all as talented or fortunate enough for selection.
Formula One is the pinacle of motorsport. (not in my books though)
V8 Supercars is the pinacle in Aust with International interest and following.
I'd be pleased with a V8 Team position rather than Formula One, and some involvement with RPW would be a good starting point.

So get over there, get a start and help-out with the "Lancer Project"
Many are still waiting on the completed 4-2-1 Header fit-up and ECU reflash Dyno results.

PS: If you do go to RPW, could you please take some photos of the 4-2-1 Headers and post them-up for all us impatient / interested members.

[ofey]

Formula One is the pinacle of motorsport. (not in my books though)

I couldn't agree more. I wish WRC still existed in its 1990s form.
Not just Citreon Vs Ford as it is now. FIA need to get behind rally big time.

Formula 1 is just marketing. Hardly realistic racing. Who simply goes around a track? WRC on the other hand... .

Surely FIA and others can see despite the end of Rally as we know it in 2003 still see so many still dress up their cars like rally vehicles must see the huge appeal of it.

[bd-850]

where ever you go, if first they say NO just keep on going back and back and back until they get sick of you and say Yes.

Good luck with it.

[SAM-24A]

I was watching a replay of the Adelaide Targa type Rally on Pay TV yesterday, and loved it more than any Formula One I've watched before. (did'nt see Troy-Aspir3 in the crowds though)

A couple of years ago I almost had a huge argument with my 4 Brother-In-Laws because I would'nt go with them to watch the Melbourne GP.
They reckon I was sort-of Hipocritical, since I love motorsport but not Formula One. (they just don't see it the way I do) they only see the glamor and publicity.

To bad I did'nt know you then, we might have been able to meet-up.

PS: I hope we hav'nt started a "Preferential Race Hate Topic"
PS: 1 Blitz filter for me Please Ofey. (mentioned in Group Buy Post)

Cheers: Sam

[bd-850]

yeah, when i see a F1 car driving around the streets, i will like F1's lol.

[LZY_EYE]

If you want experience, ask around some of the teams that run the ARC. There is obviously going to be some travel expenses etc involved.

It is a shame that there is not as much manufacturer involvement though now.

I know quite a few years ago when I was helping my mate run the NSWRC, there was a team that used TAFE students to help maintain the vehicle.

And Sam, I am with you I am not a huge fan of F1. I can watch it on TV but just because you love motorsport doesn't mean you like all types. Just like football codes.

Rally FTW.... I may be a little biased though

[Peanut]

Good to see your trying to break through into this but from what i can gather your doing Mechanical Engineering as a UNI course not as a trade, thast is your problem, i dont mean offence but workshops or race teams dont want uni students because you dont actually have any real world experience on the tools, and a majority of uni students think they are gods gift lol you appear not to be cause your asking for help and putting yourself out there, this is just my experience at work and the track. As was said just keep trying and they will eventually give in but in the meantime you should go to TAFE and do your mechanical cert 2

[Graham]

As Ofey mentioned RPW would be a good place to start or even doing servicing/repairs for a dealer.

I'm afraid I don't really know anyone in this sort of business so I can't really help out too much

A colleague at work works part time at kwinana motorplex though, I can talk to him and see if they have any sort of vacancies though.

[bd-850]

another thought to try and get your foot in the door would be to search around and see if there are any local race teams, (in any format) and see if you can get some work with them.

[Graham]

The old saying:

"It's not what you know, it's who you know"