Auto Racing: Engineering Specialist

Question
Dan,

I am 24 and back an Electrical Engineering Degree and an Applied Mathematics Degree. However, my engineering qualities are not limited to electrical, as I am a very well rounded engineer with a great knowledge in aerodynamics, physical and structural analysis, mechanical fabrication, materials analysis, automotive engineering, Integration Techniques,,, etc you name it I probably know it. This has led to a fundamental comprehension of the general engineering integration process. You could say I pushed myself to understand as much as I could about everything.

Besides that, I have a sincere fondness for auto racing of all disciplines. It is my passion. My bloodline. I have been told that I have a drivers impulse and intuition, and that it is most probably due to my 22 years of skiing, 10 of which were professional in downhill racing and freestyle. I am currently starting up my own company that involves virtual simulation hardware and offers intriguing simulators for enthusiasts and professionals alike, since driver safety and track knowledge is one of my most apparent concerns. However, due to the downfall of the economy, I have been venturing into other directions while keeping my documents and designs handy.

My question for you is this. I am trying to find that certain niche with a Race team, where I would be able to do anything and everything as an engineer. I have tried searching/ researching online, sent some resumes to Renault and Ferrari, but they are looking for someone around their area and not in the US. I was wondering if you might have some good references or websites that may be of use? As you can tell, I have many qualities to bring to the table and I want to put them to good use and facilitate any type of racing team in whatever their needs may be.

Thank You Dan.

Best,
James

Answer
Hi James:

Professional racing jobs are like those of movie stars. Hard to get. Many people start out at a team shop in their teens, sweeping floors and taking out trash, sometimes for no pay. The thing to do is to visit the various areas where different series are based.

For NASCAR, it's in the Carolinas, Mooresville, Randalman, and Charlotte are big, there are other NASCAR teams spotting the areas nearby. Indycar has many teams based in the Indianapolis area, and American LeMans has it's home in the Atlanta, Ga area.

Two large racing companies to contact would be Penske Racing at http://www.penskeracing.com/ and Target Chip Ganassi Racing at www.chipganassiracing.com/.  Both these organizations are fabulously successful in all three main American racing series, and each has literally hundreds of employees.

You can go to websites for NASCAR, IndyCar, and American LeMans Series to find names of individual teams and proceed to contact them.

I wish you luck. And if you need any informantion about racing 35 year-old Datsuns, I'm your man !!

Best Wishes,

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida