If you have always loved cars, bikes, and ATVs, you may be considering an exciting career in motorsport? When you combine work with your top hobby, you’ll find that a rewarding and fulfilling career awaits you. Whether you’ve been riding a Motocross bike since a kid or you simply love watching rally driving on the TV, there are plenty of opportunities to break into the industry. To get started, take a look at these top tips for getting into motorsport:
- Learn as much as you can
Some motorsport roles will focus on a specific sport or type of vehicle, but others will encompass various areas. While you might be passionate about Formula 1, your knowledge of speedway racing might be a little rusty or vice versa.
Before you begin a career in the motorsport industry, it’s a good idea to broaden your knowledge and learn more about the sector in general. By having an in-depth understanding of how the industry operates, rather than simply which racers are performing well, you’ll be able to outperform other candidates when it comes to impressing employers.
- Get real-life experience
When it comes to motorsport, nothing beats getting behind the wheel or handlebars yourself! If you’ve always been a fan but you haven’t had the opportunity to try your hand at motorsport, now is the perfect time to start. With affordable options from companies like Switchback MotorSports, you can pick up a bike, ATV, or even a snowmobile. Whether you’re going to traverse snowcapped mountains or take part in local dirt bike racing, getting real-life experience can help to cement your passionate.
Furthermore, the experience of riding a bike, ATV, snowmobile, karts, motorboats, or driving a rally car, can give you a firsthand insight into what this particular sporting industry is all about. No matter where you live, you’ll find local derbies and outdoor adventure centers that offer some form of motorsport facilities, so be sure to make the most of them.
- Gain Experience
Before you can land a top job in the industry, you’ll need to gain experience. This might mean starting at the bottom and working your way up, but you can often jump a few barriers by securing an internship. Depending on the company you intern for, you may get the opportunity to experience a variety of different roles and departments. This is an excellent way to find out what the day-to-day role of a motorsport professional is really like.
Securing an internship in any industry can be tricky, so keep an eye on any opportunity that becomes available. While many internships are unpaid or low paid, the experience you’ll gain can be invaluable.
- Build a network
Having a professional network is extremely useful, no matter what your role. Even if you haven’t got your start in the motorsport industry just yet, it’s never too soon to begin forming a network of industry professionals. What’s more – you might find that a potential mentor is willing to take you on, which could help you as you progress through the industry.
Attending industry events can be a great way to get to know people, so take part in as many as you can. While most events are currently taking part online, this does reduce the cost and eliminates the need to travel, which means it’s easier to attend events than ever before.
- Use your talents
The motorsport industry is extensive and there are roles to suit almost everyone. If you’re creative, a role in design or marketing might be right up your street, for example. Alternatively, if you’ve got a scientific mind or a flair for how things work, you may want to pursue a career in motorsport engineering.
With so many different roles available in the sector, you have the opportunity to use your talents to land the perfect role. By focusing on what you’re naturally good at and what you enjoy, you can ensure that the career path you follow will be as exciting as you’ve always hoped it would be.
Building a Career in Motorsport
Being a fan might be the first step on your journey to a career in motorsport, but it won’t necessarily be enough to secure impressive internships and top roles. By continuing to learn more about the industry, developing a network of contacts, and exploring different roles, however, you can grow your skills. By doing so, you’ll be able to showcase your talents and impress potential employers with your knowledge, expertise, and passion.