Inside Story - Race Driver / Instructor



Ben

Age Range
18-25

Countries of Work
UK

Study and Career History
Education: I went to school at Chiltern Edge and got 9 GCSE's. I then went to Brooklands College in Weybridge to study Motorsport Engineering where I got the grades required to go to University.
Racing C.V. - I did Karting from the age of 9-17. I won The British Championship, The Open Championship and the Kart Masters in 1999. 2002-2003 I moved to Formula Ford where in 2003 I won the Junior Avon Championship taking 6 wins and 9 pole positions out of 12 races. I also did the Formula Ford Festival, which is like the World Championship. There I qualified 2nd and finished 5th after a few incidents (I did lead it at one stage).

How long have you been doing the job?
I have been racing for 9 years and instructing for 1 year.

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
When I was 8 my Mum asked my Dad if he'd like a Karting course for his birthday. He said "no". I heard about it and asked if I could have one for my 9th birthday. I did the course and loved it and have been hooked ever since.

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
I became a Racing Driver Instructor because it fits in well around my racing. At the start of every month you tick the days you want to do. To race you have to do a lot of testing mid week so this job is good as you couldn't have all the time off for a regular 9 to 5 position.

What does the job involve?
All the job involves is sitting next to members of the public and trying to teach them the techniques of circuit driving. For people who want to take up racing I also assess people on whether they're fit for race licences. A different aspect of my job is standing at corners on racetracks and tutoring individual drivers who are hoping to become professional one day.

Describe a typical day at work.
A winter day (This job is longer in the summer because it stays light for longer) Arrive 8.00am. Take the first 2 customers out in the Audi TT's (The customer drives you round for 6 laps then you drive them round for 3 laps). Strap in the customers into thier single seaters, which they will drive for 10 laps. Take another 2 customers out in the TT's. Strap in the single seaters. Another 2 customers in the TT's. Have a break for around 40 minutes. Take 2 more customers in the TT's. Strap them in the single seaters. Leave 3.00pm A summer day can start as early as 7.30am and finish at 7.00pm.

What do you like most about the job?
I like the customer interaction. It is very satisfying to see their faces light up especially when you drive them round quickly.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
I don't like the repetitiveness of the job. In the summer when you work long hours it can get quite repetitive although none of the customers are quite the same.

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
My biggest influence was my family. They were incredibly supportive. When I was Karting as a family we would spend 30 weekends away a year so it took a lot of dedication from my whole family not to mention the financial commitment. My school was very good as well some of the teachers would quite often ask how I was getting on and would let me take a day off here and there for testing.

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I left education at 18. I was very happy with my grades, I got 1 A*, 6 A's and 2 B's at secondary school. When I went to college my aim was to get the grades required to get into University so that I have a back up plan if my racing doesn't go how I want it to. I got good grades from college that will allow me to go to University so I was delighted..

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
I don't think it was right for the career I want, but you can't really teach how to be a racing driver at school. The course I did at college (Motorsport Engineering) is relevant to my racing as it helps me to set up the car and understand how it works a lot better. I don't have any regrets - you always have to have a back up plan and if my racing career doesn't work out then the subjects I learnt at school may still become relevant to future jobs.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
Yes as I have mentioned in previous questions I did Motorsport Engineering at Brooklands college. I did this because I am interested in Engineering and how things work and wanted to keep all my options open for as long as possible

What was your first job?
My first job was being a mechanic for a Kart team. I had been running my own Kart since the age of 11 so was quite well qualified for the job. I did this at the weekends from about age 17.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
Being only 19 I've only really had one serious job and that is the Race Driver Instructing. The most challenging aspect of that is trying to convince some of the customers to listen to you. In my job the customer drives me round for 6 laps then afterwards I drive them round for 3 laps. Some customers get in the car and see I'm only young and don't always believe that I will know what I am talking about. They are better once I have driven them round but is too late by then as they've done their driving. It is very challenging trying to gain their respect so that I can help them.

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
My ultimate goal is to become a Formula 1 driver or a driver in a top single seater series like Champ Cars or IRL (Indy Racing League). I can't imagine anything better than being paid to do what I love doing.

What are your top tips for personal success?
My top tip would be work very hard. I believe if you want something badly enough and your prepared to work hard enough to achieve it then it is always possible no matter how unlikely it seems.

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