What Does it take to get into the racing business?

[mcman7890]

I figure this is the best place to ask this. Being a 20-something, looking for a career and setting your mind on something is rough. Alot of things im interested in but can't see me working with those interest. But racing is the one thing I'm really passionate about and since we have some experts and insiders my question is : "What Does it take to get into the racing business?" Not driving the cars, but being involved with the team? More or less the Inner workings, since I have little experence with working with cars. It's funny I love cars and racing but never got to know the ins and outs of the cars.

Thanks.
Bob M.

[numetalbizkit]

A good place to start would be schools like School of Automotive Machinists, WyoTech, Universal Technical Institute, etc. It all depends on what you want to work on.

[GoFastNow]

Numetal, not necessarily. You don't have to learn cars to work with teams. There are marketing capacities, sponsorship stuff etc.... Keep an eye on the IMS site for both series and IMS possibilities, get your education and be willing to do anything.

[numetalbizkit]

Numetal, not necessarily. You don't have to learn cars to work with teams. There are marketing capacities, sponsorship stuff etc.... Keep an eye on the IMS site for both series and IMS possibilities, get your education and be willing to do anything.

I believe that's what mcman was intending. If he's referring to PR or something like that, then go to school for sports marketing and get a job with a firm in IndyCar, or business management. There's other misc. jobs, but it all depends on what he wants to do.

[GoFastNow]

Not driving the cars, but being involved with the team? More or less the Inner workings, since I have little experence with working with cars.

I love it here, but DAMN dude, do you even read the posts before you respond? LOL

[numetalbizkit]

I love it here, but DAMN dude, do you even read the posts before you respond? LOL

I don't know, do you?

It's funny I love cars and racing but never got to know the ins and outs of the cars.

[GoFastNow]

I don't know, do you?

LOL I feel like this is like a power thing for you. Go back and read, he said specifically

Not driving the cars, but being involved with the team? More or less the Inner workings, since I have little experence with working with cars.

Just stating he never learned about the cars doesn't mean he wants to learn to work on em. You think we should just whip em out and see who's is bigger by now?

[Somberlain56]

"What Does it take to get into the racing business?" Not driving the cars, but being involved with the team?

What's your education level?

[numetalbizkit]

LOL I feel like this is like a power thing for you. Go back and read, he said specifically

Just stating he never learned about the cars doesn't mean he wants to learn to work on em. You think we should just whip em out and see who's is bigger by now?

Power? Whatever man, if we can't debate without turning this personal, then we shouldn't debate.

He said specifically, "Not driving the cars, but being involved with the team? More or less the Inner workings, since I have little experence with working with cars. It's funny I love cars and racing but never got to know the ins and outs of the cars." I inferred from the statement that maybe he wants to learn the ins and outs of the cars, but is looking for a more cushy job primarily. He wants to be involved in an IndyCar team, but doesn't know how or to what extent. I think those are reasonable conclusions, don't you?

I didn't think we were in a pissing match and I love a good argument.

Edit: If I'm wrong in all this, then I'll humbly admit I'm wrong.

[Turn13]

The opening post could be taken either way. It could mean "I don't know cars, so I want to learn about them" or "I don't know cars, so I need to focus on something else". Maybe we should just ask for a clarification.

[indyandy]

Check out IUPUI's Motorsports Studies Program. There is the 4-year Motorsports Engineering degree and also a Certificate program through the School of Liberal Arts that focuses on the non-engineering side of motorsport.

See: http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/motorsports/

The Certificate in Motorsports is for people interested in topics like the history of motorsports, women in motorsports, race and ethnicity and motorsports, and the economics of motorsports. In addition to a general track in motorsports studies, special tracks are available for students interested in communication and public relations; business, finance, and management; and tourism and event management.

The Certificate is interdisciplinary and draws on the expertise of the School of Engineering and Technology and their BS in Motorsports Engineering, and, depending upon a student’s interests, may include courses taught in the Schools of Business, Journalism, and Physical Education and Tourism Management.

[paper]

15 yrs ago due to a very fortunate circumstance my son was introduced to one of the worlds greatest indycar manufacturers, He became a mentor,, He stressed and encouraged that sim engineering would eventually replace a lot of testing budget

this has happened with many race car companies,, the various engineers have a very good place in the business, dont overlook all those possibilties

[Frank Capua]

Go to school then get a job at one of the driving schools as a mechanic. Seems to be where the race teams find a lot of theirs.

[ndcrs]

hey mcman - before the two goof balls above rip each others virtual head off - maybe you could give them more insight into what you are really looking for. vague questions will get the shut-ins arguing for days on what you meant (without them ever asking you) - maybe you can save me ten pages of reading on next thurs because those two will keep repeating what they already said for a week.

post some details on what you think you are looking for in a team - marketing, hanging out, crew on weekends, learning the engineering side, sponsor development, etc. it is likely some of the good guys on here will pm you with some details on how to get you started and help you network with some others.

a note of warning, i have heard from many insiders that the passion for most things goes away when those things become your job/career.

good luck.

[miller_18]

I'm in the same boat mcman. I want to work in motorsports. I'm too old to start driving for anything other than fun (28).

I have two degrees (a graphic design associated degree and a PR bachelors degree) Since I've graduated a few years
ago, the economy went to the crapper, I've gone through plenty of personal events and indecisions and so forth. I work in a camera store in south central PA and running a large format solvent printer. Not really a good place to be.

I've talked to a few people in Charlotte about doing graphics and car wraps (nothings come of it yet but I hold out hope and keep bothering people), I feel that kind of area is my strongest strength so I should for it. I've since also started going to a local dirt track, Big Diamond, and shooting the monthly enduro races last year, along with going to the Indycar and Grand-Am events at The Glen (I hate that they are not going back) and learning to to take photos for fun and even trying to use them to create some portfolio pieces. I've even gone to the Baltimore GP website and put in to volunteer in the media center.

I'm young, passionate, and willing to move should the opportunity arise. My biggest hurtle is I don't know too many people and my location.