Motorsport team to gear up future talent North East youngsters will have the opportunity to rev up their skills andget on track for a career in the motorsport industry by working with aBritish motorsport team. Students at Gateshead College are gearing up for the region's first motorsport national diploma which offers the opportunity to work with a professional racing team. The college has steered the motorsport course in a new direction by linking up with Tornado Motorsport to give young people the knowledge,skills and experience needed to start a career as a motorsport engineer,technician or mechanic. Kevin Marston, head of automotive at Gateshead College, said: "We havecreated a unique partnership with Tornado Motorsport to build an industryrelevant course that's an ideal platform from which to build a career.
"It will ensure our students leave with the skills, knowledge and attitudethat employers in this sector are looking for. "Working alongside a professional racing team, students will enjoy 'reallife'work experience at the race track, in addition to their classroom learning,and will be able to see their hard work on the cars put directly intopractice." During the two year BTEC National Award/Diploma in Motorsport students willworkon motorsport vehicles at the college's Skills Academy forAutomotive,Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics, based at Team Valley. Students will build up a Honda Accord touring car, a Proton national salooncar and a Formula Ford single-seater to a race-ready specification, beforethey are checked, tested and raced by the Tornado professionals at tracksacross the UK. Based at Gateshead College, Tornado Motorsport drivers are accomplishedformer British Formula 3 champion Martin Byford and, runner up to Martin inthe British Formula 3 championship, Lawrence Fagg. Lawrence said: "We are very excited to be working with Gateshead College and the next generation of motorsport technicians and engineers. "The programme will be really insightful for the students as we have apacked racing schedule ahead of us, in which they'll be heavily involved. "Building on the theory leant in the classroom, students will get a realfeel for the industry and be able to experience first-hand what it is liketo be part of a professional racing team.
"Students will work on two different models of racing specification cars,which we'll then test and race. The experience they will gain from doingthis will be invaluable in helping to accelerate their motorsport careers." Students will attend major motorsport events across the UK as part ofthe programme and will join the Tornado team in the pit lane in order tolearn more about the work that goes on during a race. Daniel Moir, 20, a second year motorsport student who's aiming to become abody technology specialist when he finishes college, said: "It's been myambition since I was young to pursue a career in motorsport.
"Finding out that I'd be able to work with a professional team wasreally exciting. I don't think I could have hoped for a better opportunityto make my career dreams come true." Associate lecturers Joe Bradley, a former Formula Ford driver andmotorsport driver, and team manager David Bone, who is a currentmotorsports driver and mentor, will teach modules on the course. Tornado Motorsport is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic, Dial-a-flight,Stanley Travel and Qu-chi Band. Andrew Scott, a partner at Stanley Travel, said: "I'm a great fan ofmotorsport at all levels and I'm really excited to be involved with Gateshead College Tornado Motorsport.
"I'm thrilled that we will be entering this fantastic sport with studentsand professionals alike. "We look forward to working closely with Motorsport team and sharing their on- track successes."
