Getting into the BTCC

[marc]

I am 22 years of age with very good mechanical, practical, electronical and computer literate background.. I work for a ford dealership at the moment as a parts/rapid fit advisor and I have had an interest in touring cars for quite a few years now.

How do you go about getting into the touring car scene in the UK? Is there any set route or path that a person has got to take to become part of a particular team!? Id love to get involved in the sport but i just seem to be pushed from pillar to post as to what the procedure is!

If anyone has any ideas or knows the processes to go through to reach my own, and i dare say, many other peoples goals then please let me know!

Many thanks,

Marc :-)

E-Mail:- mosbourne@hotmail.co.uk

[tsunami99]

Do you mean as a mechanic or a driver or what?

A Touring car driver needs years and years and years of training and loads of money being built up through the karting and formula junior championships, then you have a remote chance of making it.

I assume you mean a mechanic, I personally don't really know but you'd probably need certain racing qualifications/licences to work as a mechanic.

[marc]

I meant as a mechanic, or dealing with tyres, electrical, data analysis etc etc. Although many people would rather drive.. id prefer to be part of the team, designing, changing and developing the car.

Marc :-)

[cos]

Marc,
WSR have a useful page on their website for people like yourself interested in getting a career in the motorsport industry: http://www.wsr-racing.com/car_advice.asp
I hope that is of use!

[Assassin]

if you attend the Autosport show in january, there are usually a few stands related to this offering information

[Les]

well I would start by not looking at the touring car teams but the support races. They are always after volunteers to help and once you have shown what you can do then you can move up

[FlashGordon]

well I would start by not looking at the touring car teams but the support races. They are always after volunteers to help and once you have shown what you can do then you can move up
Yep best way would be to look at the support races first. Get experience about racing teams from there and then move upto the likes of the BTCC. The smaller teams are always looking for helpers. All you need to do is to find a team you likes website and then send an e-mail or write to them asking if they have any positions.

[mondeoman]

There is a Motorsport show next month at the Excel in London near the city airport. You may find something there.
http://www.londonmotorsport.co.uk/index.htm

[nealfan]

Do you mean as a mechanic or a driver or what?

A Touring car driver needs years and years and years of training and loads of money being built up through the karting and formula junior championships, then you have a remote chance of making it.

I assume you mean a mechanic, I personally don't really know but you'd probably need certain racing qualifications/licences to work as a mechanic.
That isn't entirely true, if you have enough money to race in the championship and build or buy your own team and car, theres always a chance to get into it, but money is always a factor.

However, karting and other formulas are always helpful as it builds up your experience and confidence.

Getting back to the subject, theres always a door open to the championship, but you have to find the right door or go through other championship doors before finally getting into the championship. As so many people have said go to the autosport show, there are alot of companies there willing to help you on your way. Theres even apprenticeships.

[tsunami99]

That isn't entirely true, if you have enough money to race in the championship and build or buy your own team and car, theres always a chance to get into it, but money is always a factor.

However, karting and other formulas are always helpful as it builds up your experience and confidence.

Yes but even if you do have the money and the finances to set up your own team and race in the BTCC you still need to gain the appropriate racing licences to race.

As for becoming a mechanic I think everyone's and especially Les' advice (which flash basically repeated. LOL) has pointed you in the right direction Marc.

Be interesting to hear from anyone on here who works as a mechanic or track marshall etc.

[marc]

I have taken on board what he (and others) have said and i would agree with you with wat you say. I really appreciate everybody who puts the time and effort into adding a post to this thread.

I have already been searching the internet for support, and BTCC teams around me that i would be able to get involved in, as yet i cannot find what i am looking for, but i dare-say i will eventually.

If theres anybody out there in the industry who would be interested in helping me be part of their team i would be most appreciative!

Many thanks,

Marc :o)

E-Mail:- mosbourne@hotmail.co.uk

[iceman1uk]

The motorsport industry is not as hard to get into as you think.

I am in the motorsport industry and aslong as you work hard you can get in.

If you apply for jobs in the industry then im sure that you will get in.

Hope you get to where you are going.

Regards

Andy

[sonofzelda]

Quote: Originally Posted by Les
"well I would start by not looking at the touring car teams but the support races. They are always after volunteers to help and once you have shown what you can do then you can move up"

The operative word here seems to be "volunteer" - this usually means "unpaid".
So I would guess that until you've established yourself as a valuable resource then you would probably not want to give up the day job (ie source of income and support) and start off working in your spare time with a team that is not too far away. The main problem with living in Suffolk (Marc) is that all the teams except for some in Essex and Norfolk are far away. The great advantage that Iceman has is that he lives in Towcester which is next door to Silverstone and centrally located, with many teams in Northants, Warks, Leics, Oxon and the Midlands within easy reach. Of course Iceman may have moved to Towcester to be close to his work but I assume that he has a paid status rather than voluntary.

I don't want to sound discouraging and wish you the best of luck in what should be a very rewarding career.

[tdb]

Hi Marc,

Pretty much most of what has been posted above is accurate.

My advice would be several fold.

1. Don't try to run before you can walk, motorsport is very different to rapid fit! you need to understand how things work and how teams generally run things.
2. Volunteer to help a team and this will help you learn the ropes.

3. Pay attention, be prepared to do anything that is asked of you, show enthusiasm and don't think you know it all!


I have worked in motorsport all my life, F1,wrc,GT, BTCC etc,etc and have met many people like yourself, some excell and others don't.

Good luck mate and if you can't find anything for next year pm me and i will see if i can help find you something

[Clio Man]

Hi Marc,

Pretty much most of what has been posted above is accurate.

My advice would be several fold.

1. Don't try to run before you can walk, motorsport is very different to rapid fit! you need to understand how things work and how teams generally run things.
2. Volunteer to help a team and this will help you learn the ropes.

3. Pay attention, be prepared to do anything that is asked of you, show enthusiasm and don't think you know it all!


I have worked in motorsport all my life, F1,wrc,GT, BTCC etc,etc and have met many people like yourself, some excell and others don't.

Good luck mate and if you can't find anything for next year pm me and i will see if i can help find you something

Would wholeheatedly agree with everything you say, have been a round in this area about 6 years myself and although its not my main source of income have had the opportunity to progress through to better opportunities, some of which Im sure could have been a career, I just dont like spending all that time away from home!!!

Good luck let us know how you get on.

[btcc_junkie]

Hi

Have got this link for you.

http://www.motorsportads.co.uk/jobs/6555.html

Hope it helps, Good Luck!!!

[Les]

I have to say that looks dodgy - just look at the blatent age descrimination.

[marc]

I have looked at that page last night too.. Cant really see the point in paying money for the 'possibility' of entering a scholarship! I think the previous pages advice is a far better idea. (no offence btcc_junkee). I like the idea but it does seem a little unusual!
Thanks for everyones advice so far, im still looking about, and still reading what people have to say! Please keep it up!

[Grip]

That last ad from Junkie does seem very strange, pay £27 to enter a competition to win a "scholarship"??

Their website also seems to claim they are responsible for all BTCC advertising?

[marc]

Well, thanks to everyone who helped with any ideas they had.. things seem to of came to a halt now. I have tried contacting several small teams and have yet to initiate anything. I have contacted 'west suffolk racing' as they seem to be close to me, but have yet to get a reply. Still, the night is young and many places as yet to try, i will continue! :o)

Many thanks, and as always, any new suggestions are greatfully received!

Marc

(mosbourne@hotmail.co.uk)