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Dear Motorsport academy,

 to start off with, I should explain that I am in my final year of a Beng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree at Heriot Watt university, in Edinburgh. I already have enough credits for a ordinary Beng degree.  I am an avid motorsports fan, of all disciplines and it's been my life-long ambition to get into the industry.

What I want to know is what are my chances of gaining as placement as Race Engineer with my lack of real-world engineering experience? This is the route I'd love to take; being at the track making the difference and interacting with the drivers and mechanics. Would I be better off taking a subsequent course elsewhere to hone my skills as a motorsports engineer since I have an all-encompassing Mech Eng degree?  What sort of degree are companies/race teams looking at? Would I have to get a 1st class honours to be applicable, and would it be necessary to beat other prospective applicants? 

 In  terms of experience, I have sent my CV to a number of teams through many discplines (GT, BTCC, F1, Rally) in terms of gaining a work placement but haven't heard word back yet. 

 Would it be worth my while doing an MSc in Motorsport Engineering (also I am a keen aerodynamicist and have been looking down that route) to put myself above the rest?

 Regards,

 Scott