School

[HondaRC51]

ok so im going o mmi but a lot  of ppl  are telling me that that wont get into being a race mechanic.so then how would i become a race mechanic.i dont knwo that much about motorcycles but enough to know thats what i want to do for a living.if speed secrets are learned by experience then are there n e teams out there that want to teach me.like ill go to the races with u and kinda hang around your pits but not be in the way. you know kinda like an apprentice.take in some good information.Then when i get good enough ill work for your team.if n e body comes out to road atlanta then that would be better.i live right next to it.but i would go to n e track that is close by.

[MightyDuc Racing]

plenty of endurance teams are always looking for help.  check out the "other" board on the endurance board.  You can learn as you go, I imagine.  good luck!

[unforgivenracing]

You never stop learning.    ;)
And with a RC, you have alot to start with.  Buy a shop manual for your bike and read threw it.
This bible can tell you alot.  It's a start in the right direction.

C U LATER. 8)

[bweber]

Be careful... Many times experience is more important than education.  You say you are going to MMI but don't know much about motorcycles.  What made you decide to enrole at MMI?
I saw a lot of very intelligent students try and become engineers while I was at the University of Iowa.  I graduated with a BSE but had tons of mechanical aptitude and engineering skills before I ever even left high school.  Those students who were "book smart" and could ace any test soon realized that you can't always teach the skills necessary to be a successful engineer.
The same hold true for a mechanic.  MMI is probably a great school, but just because you pass their courses, does not mean you will be a highly sought after technician.  
Often times the best mechanics and/or engineers are the ones who learned what they know from experience and god-given ability.

[tcchin]

Those students who were "book smart" and could ace any test soon realized that you can't always teach the skills necessary to be a successful engineer.

I think industry calls those people 'Project Engineers' now.

[Team_nuclear123]

Best advice I can give you???

Get a comercial drivers lisc.

Go thru the pits, and ask the teams if they need drivers...

Exchange education for your time driving the rig for them....

[jenkins]

mmi isnt all its cracked up to be....

there is alot more to be said for hands on experience.


i equate it to learning spanish in high school...they teach you the basics, but you wont learn how to speak it unless you make it your environment.


wrenching and motor building are the same...anyone can get a manual and follow the instructions, but its the "tricks of the trade" that can only be learned by doing which will make you a successful tech, or motor builder.

as far as being a race mech. you have to start at the bottom and work you way up..I suggest working for a regional team on a club level basically being a "goffer"....absorb all the knowledge you can, learn the ropes, because the track is a different world than the street.  if you work hard and are dedicated then maybe you will move up to the national level.

but trust me, its well worth it....... 8) 8)

[madanalyst]

I believe MMI is owned by UTI.  If so, the parent co (UTI) recently announced its going public with an initial public offering (IPO).  The capital from investors they'll be receiving will be plowed back into its facilities, aid with future growth, and perhaps help add credibility to their many schools/programs by providing additional marketing support (name recognition).  From my perspective, UTI seems to be a decent outfit but i'd warn before making a decision to do lots of homework first and make sure this is the career you truly desire.  Not sure what the school is charging for a 2 yr degree, but whatever it is please make sure you'll realize a return on your investment by sticking with the career you'll be paying for many yrs to come.   Best of luck with your decision.