motorsport degree

[Oistarn]

Looking at doing a motorsport degree, either:

Birmingham city foundation
Birmingham city normal
Stafford Foundation
Stafford normal

Which out of those would anyone reccomend, personal experiences?

Also, what range of salaries are you looking at for a pit tech etc...

Thanks

[GridGirl]

What you describe don't actually sound like the names of degree courses to me?

I would recommend volunteering for teams, motor clubs etc. Potential employers will be more interested in your practical experience than a degree certificate.

[Oistarn]

http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun....run?n=1068660
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun....run?n=1068660
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun....run?n=1057226
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun....run?n=1057373

With the foundation degree at stafford, it is cut from 2 years, to 18 months, because you lose your summer holidays, half of the remaining 18 months is work experience. You then do 1 full year to top up the foundation degree to a full degree...

Thanks.

[Mark]

What you describe don't actually sound like the names of degree courses to me?

I would recommend volunteering for teams, motor clubs etc. Potential employers will be more interested in your practical experience than a degree certificate.

Of course the best thing will be to do both!
I've always read that motorsport teams are first looking for experience and secondly if they want skills it's in the likes of mechanical / aerospace engineering - both topics that are 'rock solid!'. I guess it depends what's in the motorsport course.

I'm not sure about the 'no holidays' thing, as it is if you're serious about getting into motorsport, you will already have no evenings and no weekends to spare, you're going to need those holidays to get yet more experience!

[Oistarn]

Thanks, I have decided to apply for those, plus bridgewater college.

Thanks Any other advice welcome

[Easy Drifter]

An old fart's advice. Hook up with a race team as well and do what you have to. Even sweeping the floor.
Buy some books and read. Steve Matchett's books are great, especially a 'Race Mechanics Tale'. Find the out of print books by the late Carroll Smith from "Prepare to Win" to "Design to Win". They are out of date on design but are the best books ever written on preparing a race car. They were the race mechanics bible.
This from a long retired race mechanic/crew chief/fabricator/parts designer.
Be prepared for long hours, like 48 straight, little thanks, but when you win what a feeling!
Attention to detail is critical. The attitude 'well that will do' is a a sure way to get fired.
It is a tough old life but the highs are surpreme!

[Oistarn]

Thanks.

I don't have a "well that will do" attitude atall...

2 offers, both from birmingham so far, so thanks for the advice....

[MrJan]

I've seen the Bridgewater College lot a few times at events that I've done/watched. They ran a fairly nice Radical at a sprint at Castle Combe and seemingly have a reasonable amount of funding seeing as they had a shuttle trailer too. There was a group of about 10 lads hanging about and doing everything for the driver, certainly seemed a long way from the amateur level of the majority of the pit.

Also saw a 205 sponsored rally car but they didn't have the lads in tow. Not really sure what the course entails but they seemed to be enjoying it.

[Oistarn]

Thanks...Now i'm even more confused as to where i should go lol!