Automotive Careers Looking for an automotive job or employees?

Odds and ends of work with race team?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 5, 2008 | 06:12 PM
  #1  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default Odds and ends of work with race team?

Can anyone tell me what steps you have to take to work with the pro drag race teams?


This is what I have been told so far,

I was told that when it comes to NASCAR, DEI requires their engine builders to have their A&P (waiting for the test date to come and I will have it and my A.S. once I get it). I went to A&P school before I starting thinking about racing though.

For the drag race teams I was told to apply with the teams and start out cleaning and doing things like that. I did and never heard anything however, "The Sarge" told a buddy of mine in person that you have to apply in person and can't just e-mail your resume to HR. Him and I both live rather close to DSR.

Can you get on with a team and not have to travel or at least travel rarley and just do work in the shop? I know having your CDL really helps getting on with the crews but I would rather not travel a lot.

Currently I am an aircraft structures mechanic.

I am planning on applying at DSR and a local John Force shop this summer after things settle down.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2008 | 09:34 PM
  #2  
CTSmechanic's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 1
From: Denver NC
Default

You need to make up your mind on what you want to do and plan for it to take atleast 10 years for it to happen.If you want to make any money you have to go on the road... Drag racing is one of the lowest paying forms of racing friend of mine knows a lead crewman for a good fuel team and he makes 45k...lives on the road driving race to race..The NASCAR market is Impossable to get into rightnow and is only going to get worse with the COT's and NASCAR strangle hold on the rules...
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2008 | 12:26 AM
  #3  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

Thanks for the info.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2008 | 08:31 PM
  #4  
CTSmechanic's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 1
From: Denver NC
Default

I dont mean to crush your hopes but racing is changing and not for the better..Im in it rightnow because I have no idea how to do anything else that even comes close to the same pay.I can only speak from my experence in Stock car racing... going on 11 years.Experenced people are in low demand and high supply... with the layoffs and down sizing these a few hundred people looking for work rightnow.I have started looking for other forms or racing to get into.. off road... Grand Am... something that is on the up swing rather than down...If you have a good job in Avaition keep it.. go to your local race track drag strip or race team and try to volunteer it will give you a taste of whats instore while geting some experence and a foot in the door if you decide to go full time.. Its not a job its a total way of life 50 70 hours a week ,weeknds on Salary travel all over the place stress politics back stabbing it can be fun....
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2008 | 11:30 PM
  #5  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

No problem man, its nice to hear the negatives

I don't have th egreatest job but its a job, aviation is like racing, lots of layoffs and high supply low demand.

What about machine shop/engine builder work? I know of a few local GOOD builders.

If I could find something making the same amount of money of close I would be happy (Im not at the top of the pay scale or even near it for aviation sheet metal)
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 05:29 PM
  #6  
jester1's Avatar
TECH Regular
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 44
Default

[QUOTE=JUICED96Z;8665373]

I don't have th egreatest job but its a job, aviation is like racing, lots of layoffs and high supply low demand.

QUOTE]

same **** down there I see
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 03:05 AM
  #7  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

Word.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 06:58 PM
  #8  
Hawkn01's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 1
From: Hampton Roads,Va.
Default

Listen to what CTSmechanic says. It's not all the glamor and glory your thinking.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 07:58 PM
  #9  
Hawkn01's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 1
From: Hampton Roads,Va.
Default

Here's a website alot of drag racing crew guys/drivers post on. Join up and ask some questions over there. You'll have to verify yourself by paying a dollar through paypal/creditcard to be able to post. It's a pretty informative site with inside info in the industry.

http://www.nitromater.com/pit-area/

Last edited by Hawkn01; Feb 14, 2008 at 10:46 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #10  
indirocz28's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: College Station,TX/Indy,IN
Default

Originally Posted by JUICED96Z
Can anyone tell me what steps you have to take to work with the pro drag race teams?


This is what I have been told so far,

I was told that when it comes to NASCAR, DEI requires their engine builders to have their A&P (waiting for the test date to come and I will have it and my A.S. once I get it). I went to A&P school before I starting thinking about racing though.

For the drag race teams I was told to apply with the teams and start out cleaning and doing things like that. I did and never heard anything however, "The Sarge" told a buddy of mine in person that you have to apply in person and can't just e-mail your resume to HR. Him and I both live rather close to DSR.

Can you get on with a team and not have to travel or at least travel rarley and just do work in the shop? I know having your CDL really helps getting on with the crews but I would rather not travel a lot.

Currently I am an aircraft structures mechanic.

I am planning on applying at DSR and a local John Force shop this summer after things settle down.


David- I have connections into the world- Kalitta racing is hiring people- I can give you a name for them, but they are in Yipsilante Michigan...
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2008 | 12:29 AM
  #11  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

Originally Posted by indirocz28
David- I have connections into the world- Kalitta racing is hiring people- I can give you a name for them, but they are in Yipsilante Michigan...
I just bought a house that I have not even moved into yet hahaha but thanks though.



Thanks for the above link.

I know its not all glamor and glory, I am not used to that kind of life.... the other day I was working on a 737 with my head laying 2 feet away from the pooper hole....... the hole poop goes down on a plane..............
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:35 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE