"A memory you'll own forever!"
The complete program requires participation from March 1st to October 31st. (Please note: we have a new, more affordable 4-month program.) Custom programs with reduced driving sessions for other calendar periods can sometimes be arranged.
No previous experience necessary but you should be mechanically inclined, self motivated, enthusiastic and ready for a challenging season of racing training! Please refer to the requirements section shown below for further details.
The tuition fee is only $1390 CDN and includes a uniform. Personal expenses will add about $700 CDN per month excluding apartment rent. Canadian Immigration Laws have special rules to assist with international student visas, click here to visit their web site.
Launch a Racing Career! 15 to 20% of our trainees have obtained work within motorsports at virtually every level from IRL and other open wheel Series as well as various closed wheel Series.
(Group photo from 2009 program.)
Training and experience will be provided in both driving / racing and the mechanical aspects of open wheel formula cars. While no experience is necessary, you will certainly leave with an admirable level of experience. Whether you come for the driving or the mechanical activities, you'll leave with having enjoyed getting both!
Trainees will benefit from training on most of the following subjects click here for expanded list:
Fasteners, suspension, brake systems, alignments, engines, gearboxes, drive lines, cooling systems, bodywork, aerodynamics, ignition systems, check lists, fabrication, wheels / tires, bearings, electrical, safety, customer service, steering, fuel systems, shift linkages, torches, welding & machining.
Make no mistake, functioning as part of our Academy's Team or on a Pro Team requires a unique dedication and temperament. Similar to Pro Racing, our program not only requires that you successfully participate your way through the early season learning process, but also prove your ability to retain your focus and performance when tasks / programs become very repetitive in nature as the season comes to a close. Racing Teams have told us that lots of mechanics can be enthused and focused when it's new and fun, but only the best can retain this required performance level through the balance of the season when it counts most. Pro Teams who call on us for recommendations know our program follows the same early season fun / end season grind pattern.
Similar to Pro Teams, the long hours of the program (usually parallel the functioning of the Academy's events) will be split between many hours of fairly basic tasks as part of a crew where frankly the challenge is maintaining focus / performance in the face of boredom, and the incredible excitement of getting to race yourself!
Also similar to the functioning of Pro teams is the opportunity for Top Achievers in our program to be offered the ability to enjoy a higher level of training on the various systems and equipment we have in our shop as the season progresses. While everyone is encouraged to strive to reach this level of participation, only about half of the program participants are successful.
Training Program activities include but are not limited to:
Trainees starting at the beginning of the program will receive, on dates to be selected by the Academy:
Winners may apply these Academy Credits towards their own personal entry in our Lapping Practice days. Credits are valid for the 2 following seasons only, are non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Responsibility to book while availability exists rests solely with the winners.
You will love driving our fleet of NEW Van Diemen Formula cars! Everything from their incredible handling and acceleration to their amazing braking capabilities will entice you to want to push yourself and the car to greater heights each and every session. They're a dream come true! [read more]
Get serious with 24 challenging track designs! Purpose-built training track designed from the ground up expressly for driver development. [read more]
Basic proficiency with a manual transmission. No previous experience necessary but you should be mechanically inclined, self motivated, enthusiastic and ready for a challenging season of racing training! Most people fit in our Formula cars, see fitment details.
Age Requirement 18 to 39 yrs old (16 & 17 year olds may be admitted with parent or guardian consent).
Damage Responsibility All trainees are responsible for race car and equipment damages similar to our regular customers. The Academy requires a damage deposit of $2,000 CDN. This deposit, minus any outstanding amounts, is refunded after trainees depart. This damage deposit will also be used if a Trainee elects to stay in the apartments we arrange for any damages / charges owing to the apartment management company. Please note your vehicle damage responsibilities during program driving days will range from $0 to $3,500 CDN. The Academy reserves the right to raise a mechanic's damage deposit for any reason it feels necessary.
Professionalism The public relations part of the training includes interacting with the school's regular customers; therefore, a professional attitude, proper grooming and attire are required at all times. The Academy reserves the right to request tattoos be covered or body piercings / jewelry be removed at it's sole discretion.
Tools All trainees will be required to have their own tool set (a recommended list will be provided). Please allow a minimum of $500 CDN for a basic set.
Housing You are responsible for your own accommodations, food, transportation and other personal expenses. The Academy may assist you in finding an apartment with other trainees (usually 3 trainees to a 2-bedroom apartment) and loan you some furniture. You would then be responsible for the terms of the lease, including: first and last month's rent, monthly rent of approx. $395 CDN, written notice of your intent to vacate the apartment 60 days after the end of the current month, and any damages.
Rent Assistance As a bonus for staying to complete the program right to the very end, the Academy will provide two months of "rent" (@ approx. $395 per month) to each trainee with their damage deposit refund. Please note: this is only provided to trainees that participate in at least 95% of the program days.
Medical form To finalize our acceptance procedure, we will require you to provide us with our medical form completed by your Doctor.
We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Mechanics / Racing Training Programs. Please follow this link to download the application form. Once printed and completed, please fax back to 905.983.1004.
If you have any questions regarding the details of the program, please contact the Program Director, Jamie Fitzmaurice, at 905.983.1138.
(Group photos from 2006 program.)
Mechanic Training Program enrollment available.
4-month and 8-month programs
[ read more ]
Printed Kit - Just contact us for a copy of our colour information kit!
Join one of our Instructors as he races through a lap at the Mosport Driver Development Track! [ watch it now! ]
Academy Safety! - We have a 25-year injury-free record... How?
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