CDwallace

Hello all!

I am a new member and I am sure this is a slightly unusual post however, it's worth a shot.

My name is Connor Wallace, I am 25 years old, I am based in Tampa. I have worked in Biotech for 4 years and currently work for the artificial intelligence applications team of my company. I was a biochemistry major in college and since graduating in 2020, have worked in sales roles or business development roles in biotech. I have been obsessed with motorsport since my earliest of memories and have been fortunate enough to take part in many HPDE weekends and truly experience the joys of being on track. These HPDE experiences have not "satisfied by automotive needs". Rather, these experiences have made me want a career in motorsport even more than ever in my life.

I am writing this to see if anyone knows of any career openings or would be willing to share advice for where to begin looking. I am incredibly detailed, have many references to verify my work ethic, work until the job is done, and am always willing to learn something new regardless of what that may be.

While it may be odd, I have attached my resume for anyone who may be interested in vetting my current experiences.

For anyone who offers any advice at all, thank you very much in advance!

- Connor

senor honda

I'm willing to share advice. a few things to help you into a racing career. There are 40 forums on Tampa racing.
and a lot of them related to drivers, mechanics, etc, etc.
Racing will cost you money and time and dedication. If you want to win, you will do what it takes.

1. Here are some educational postings on some things racers do to win, loosely collected under "Chassis"
but it has a lot more than just car setup. This will also teach you terminology so that you can talk to potential employers
in a language which they will understand.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/c...spension-tech/
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2. Here are 235 postings of what people did to learn and succeed at automotive competitions of many kinds including how to
prep cars and drive them.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/a...day-rally.html
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3. Look up past winners in SCCA by going to TR's SCCA Shop forum which leads to SCCA's website which leads to racers email addresses. Smaller cars are easier to work on.
Find some racers close to you. Email them. Tell them you have read about some of their racing and are wondering if they could use some additional
enthusiastic crew help who will do what they are told. SCCA will expect you to buy a membership to work for free for someone. Get some experience.
Anything you can do for free, you can also do for money, when the opportunity arrives. Go to autocrosses and volunteer to help.
At one time if you worked in any of the SCCA specialties...corner worker, scoring, etc. some regions let you attend the classroom parts of their race driver's schools for free.....adds to your knowledge.
Also a beginning racer going to SCCA driving school, may need help and will be in the registration line.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...america-6.html
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4. Go to a local oval or road course and where racers sign in, the line is long. Don't just shout it out to the crowd,
but individually ask person by person about every 3 people: "Can you use an extra crew member? What can I do to help you win tonight?" Someone will say yes, and sometimes they pay for your pit pass.
Sometimes you buy a pit pass yourself until you find someone needing some regular help who you can get along with. Not glamorous, and top teams don't need you, but a racer just starting out is a start.
If you have any criticisms, keep your mouth shut. Asphalt oval racing is cleaner than dirt tracks. After the races go with them to get a hamburger...listen to what they talk about.

CDwallace

Thank you so much for the reply. Time to start digging!

senor honda

Here are some different types of racing

Abandoned tracks in Florida area and other places (updated)
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-fl-area.html

Bonneville History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...e-history.html

Daytona History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...a-history.html

Drag Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...ml#post9366328

This link has some historic drag racing pics.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...pics-ever.html


Local historic drag racing track Twin City Oldsmar

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...florida-4.html


Indianapolis History

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9373490

24 Hours of Lemans history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-history.html


Lemans

Lime Rock Park history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/au...rock-park.html


Pikes Peak racing history
Is Pikes Peak a road Race?


https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362624


History of Race Cars

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9370578

Road Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...g-history.html

Sebring history

The way to part 2 "A brief History of Sebring Raceway" is here:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...-40-posts.html
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This was the original brief history of Sebring part 1
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/general-car-chat/816701-sebring-raceway-brief-history-part-1-has-now-exceeded-40-posts-115-posts.html
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A bit of stock car racing history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362625


Tying some Tampa Racing history together with links: Tampa International Raceway (Fair Grounds road course)

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...l-raceway.html

senor honda

Thank you so much for the reply. I will definitely give #3 a shot and see if I can't find myself a starting point!
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I understand...I'm a road course guy myself.
At one time I prepped 6 cars every week for Suncoast Racing Rentals in Tampa
and we used that experience to write his book on road race car preparation..

-Bob

senor honda

What state are you in?

The FIRM in Florida will give you free track time hours for corner worker hours......

BUT...that is a way to meet racers who like track time, without the full blown expense of competition racing.

CDwallace

I am in Tampa Florida!

senor honda

Check their schedule for an open house or track day schedule, as a way of meeting some road course racers.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...t-park-16.html

senor honda

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