Expert: Dan Liddy - 8/27/2009

Question
Hello, I'm 19 and have been working on cars for a couple of years now.  Basically my question is this, for my future job, what I would really enjoy doing is owning my own high performance garage. Ideally I'd build my own cars from practically scratch. Make my own parts and build my own body.  What my question is, is whether or not I could do all this through a regular mechanic program or whether I'd have to go to university into some sort of mechanical engineering or automotive systems engineering.  I understand you may not be able to help me, but I'd appreciate any insight.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Liam !

Good Irish name there !  I admire your high aspiratioins and hope you can manage to achieve them.

The best answer I can give you is education, and education, and MORE education. To design and build race cars from scratch takes a lot of knowledge, and a number of skills. Welding is one such skill and it's not something you learn in just a semester. I spent four years going to a Vo Tech Welding class, and though I can weld most anything, I don't consider myself to be great at it, not yet.  A freind of mine has done the same thing in machine shop- - -it takes years.

So a degree in Mechanical Engineering, some experience around race cars, and race engines. Maybe some pit work for a race team. The best place for the experience part  would be in the Carolinas where all the NASCAR teams have their shops. And there are some great engineering schools there too. Understand that to get a job in one of the shops will take a long time, and many in that business started by sweeping floors - - -free ! It's not easy breaking into racing and it takes time. It's a life altering decision, and one that should be made at a very young age.

One thing that will give you some insight into it is a subscription to Circle Track Magazine, go to www.circletrack.com for more info on that.

Of course, the more you learn about race cars, the easier it all will be. You're one of the few that hasn't asked me how to become a pro driver, that's probaboy a good thing.  You'll do better to focus on one area.

Finally you should decide what area interests you most , whether it's engine building, chassis design and fabrication, or perhaps body work. Parts engineering and design is another more esoteric area, and one where there is tremendious opportunity.

So makeup your mind, get back in school. and go for it !!

Best of luck !!

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida