Motorsport & Eng. Degrees

kkobayash · Post 18 Jun 2006, 08:11

Hi, i just got a general question that hopefully some of you can help me out with.

Im currently in the middle of 3rd yr Aero eng, but its starting to get relly into aircrafts etc. which im not too interested in. Im more interested in motorsport and especially the aero aspect or it, hence going into aero eng straight out of school.

I was just wondering if it would be more beneficial/easier for me to get into motorsport with a Mechanical or Aeronautical eng. degree?

Iv asked around and im getting different opinions about this, so really confused atm. If any of you could help me out, maybe people already in the industry, i would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

miqi23 · Post 18 Jun 2006, 10:28

I think there is nothing wrong with an Aero degree even though you wanted to get into Motorsport. It all boils down to what actually you want to do in Motorsport and in your case its aerodynamics.

I dont see any problems with it what so ever, infact most of the concepts are similar but in F1 cars wing body interactions, tyre body interactions, vortex shedding etc are studied more then in aircrafts. Again, if you know your basics these shouldnt be a problem to learn.

For a starter, do your final year project in something like Motorsport Aerodynamics!

Monstrobolaxa · Post 18 Jun 2006, 15:16

When I was finishing High Scholl I read an interview in Racecar Engineering with Patrick Head and another with Ross Brawn where they mentioned that most F1 teams doen't have a big interest in mechanical engineers...they're more interested in Aeronautical Engineers and in Electronics engineers.

So that's why I'm in Aeronautical Engineering....

Besides that I have a small race team...we build prototypes at home for a competition called the Shell Eco Marathon...at least untill I finish university I'll have in my CV 5 participations in the competition.

Besides that I've been looking for summer placements...and I've found placements within motorsports for this summer....2007 and 2008!

Besides that when I finish university here in Portugal in July 2008 I'll already have a Masters degree with a thesis/project/investigation into F1 aerodynamics.

After this in October 2008 I will be starting a new Masters program in the UK...or at Cranfield or at Southampton. (have been accepted at both...just have to decide untill then).

So basicly....Aeronautical engineering is a good way to go....but without any major things on your CV and some more academic studies will help you out.

MrT · Post 18 Jun 2006, 15:33

I have just competed a motorsports engineering degree, and to be honest wish i studied mechanical engineering, not because i don't like racing cars, i love um, but because I feel the only thing these courses do is limit you. There are very few jobs in motorsport, and you really need to keep your options open, which a mechanical engineering degree does. Motorsport employers tend not to think anymore of a motorsport graduate than a mechanical graduate, so im my humble opinion don't turn to a motorsport degree , keep your options open and more importantly get real-world experiance.

Tom · Post 18 Jun 2006, 20:04

I am looking to do motorsport engineering in a few years too. Heres what I found:

http://search.ucas.co.uk/cgi-bin/hsrun/ ... G&single=N

tf1 · Post 20 Jun 2006, 17:06

My first love was and always will be high performance aircraft. I've also worked on spacecraft as well as passenger cars and race cars. It depends on what you want to do, but for example, structures are structures. The same theories apply. Same with aerodynamics. The way the tools are used are a bit different but it's pretty similar. I choose aerospace engineering because to me, it was a more well rounded set of engineering disciplines. You'll get the same stuff as a mech eng degree but with much more background in aerodynamics than a typical mech eng degree. But it will depend on the school. Some schools lump aero eng within the mech eng dept. So in those schools it probably won't matter much.

I think what makes the difference in getting an entry level position is experience using the proper professional tools. For example, I would recommend learning CATIA for sure regardless of what you want to do. Not just putting boxes together either. You should be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of how to make a complicated 3-d part as well as deal with large assemblies. For futher aero work, I'd learn at least one of the big codes, Fluent, StarCD, etc. If you can show a project you did with one of those, even better. For structures, learn NASTRAN, ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, etc. It is not the same if you learn Prof X's homespun code. Clearly demonstrated and easily proven experience with the codes used at the team will be a HUGE plus as it reduces training by months potentially.

Phoenix · Post 14 Sep 2006, 16:43

Intresting....

I have a question for you Monstrobolaxa, how does Southampton rate up with top Aero Eng. schools? I know its up there, but I am currently at the University of Illinois and I have been considering trafering to Southampton. What is your opinion on this school and others like it?

miqi23 · Post 14 Sep 2006, 20:36

Phoenix wrote:Intresting....

I have a question for you Monstrobolaxa, how does Southampton rate up with top Aero Eng. schools? I know its up there, but I am currently at the University of Illinois and I have been considering trafering to Southampton. What is your opinion on this school and others like it?

Its a top Uni and has got the best resources you can find. You will be lucky if they accept you and if they do how are you going to afford it? I guess Americans are considered as International Students and the tution fee would only be 12000 GBP! Round about 24000 USD! So think about it.

Monstrobolaxa · Post 14 Sep 2006, 23:39

miqi23 is right...non-EU citizens pay very high tuition fees in the UK....

But in any case Southampton is way up there....one of the best!

You also have in europe the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics....it's one of the most well rated institutes for CFD development
http://www.vki.ac.be/

Besides that Cranfield is also way up there...but not one of the best in undergrad courses....Cranfield has a very good reputation in Msc and Phd degrees. (and now with their multimillion motorsport laboratory being built...hehe)

In my opinion...finish your degree in Aero in the US...after that try coming over for a Msc course...or a Phd.

I'll be attending (85% probability) the Motorsport Management & Engineering Msc course, starting October 2008....hope to see you there

If you want more info PM me...

engin007 · Post 15 Sep 2006, 00:26

Phoenix wrote:Intresting....

I have a question for you Monstrobolaxa, how does Southampton rate up with top Aero Eng. schools? I know its up there, but I am currently at the University of Illinois and I have been considering trafering to Southampton. What is your opinion on this school and others like it?

Southampton is pretty good for Aero. You can check the Times University league table for Aero. Not that the league table is 100% accurate, but it gives you an idea how the universities compare to each other. I have been to Southampton its good and the whole staff is friendly.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,6734,00.html

ketanpaul · Post 15 Sep 2006, 10:30

Hey guys,
I am currently applying to Imperial College London for aero and hope to do a PhD after that in the US. Is this a good combo? I primarily want to be doing some aero stuff on the cars

Monstrobolaxa · Post 15 Sep 2006, 14:49

ketanpaul wrote:Hey guys,
I am currently applying to Imperial College London for aero and hope to do a PhD after that in the US. Is this a good combo? I primarily want to be doing some aero stuff on the cars

I would stay in the uk for the phd.

ketanpaul · Post 15 Sep 2006, 17:08

I would stay in the uk for the phd.

any particular reason?

Monstrobolaxa · Post 15 Sep 2006, 21:46

If you're interested in motorsport aerodynamics (like me) it's the place to be...there are a few universities working on motorsport courses and with facilities used by some F1 teams...so to get a little extra contact with them...the UK would be the place to be.

The US does have some motorsport contact, though most of the phds there end up at boeing, Nasa, Lockhead Martin, etc.

anna87 · Post 15 Sep 2006, 22:49

I am doing my third year B.E Hons Mechinacal ....and i am sure looking for a career in Motorsports.....

I have applied for MSc Motorsport in Cranfield Univ Dont know if i will get in..

At the moment i am looking for apprentiship work in racing teams......which is pretty difficult to get.I am still struggling to get in to a racing team......I would be very thankfull if one of u could help me out.