Basic preparation course for amateur rally cars
Online course of 300 hours in basic preparation of amateur rally cars. 6 modules covering converting a road car into a rally car, mandatory safety equipment, suspension, brakes and wheels, engine, transmission and electronics, and service and logistics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Choose a base vehicle suited to the class and the budget.
Install the mandatory safety equipment.
Prepare suspension, brakes and wheels for tarmac and gravel.
Improve engine and transmission reliability.
Organise service and logistics for a rally.
Meet homologation and scrutineering requirements.
Produce a complete preparation plan for a rally car.
Who it's for
- Rally car builders preparing vehicles for club and regional events.
- Motorsport mechanics who want to work on rally cars.
- Amateur rally drivers who prepare and maintain their own car.
- Rally co-drivers who want to understand the car and its equipment.
- Service crew chiefs organising work in the service park.
- Technical managers of rally clubs and private teams.
- Engineering and science graduates aiming to join rally teams and clubs.
What you'll work with
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 253 (safety equipment)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 254 (Group N)
- Spanish Rally Championship Regulations (RFEDA) (national rally rules)
- FIA Standard 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA Standard 8855-2021 (competition seats)
- Royal Decree 920/2017 (periodic vehicle roadworthiness inspection in Spain)
- Vehicle Modifications Manual (Spanish Ministry of Industry) (approval of vehicle modifications)
- AiM Race Studio
- Microsoft Excel
- Terratrip (tripmaster)
- SolidWorks
6 modules
1.1Entry-level classes: Rally5, Group N and one-make cups1.2Choosing the base vehicle and budget1.3Homologation form and extensions1.4Technical passport and scrutineering1.5Vehicle modifications and roadworthiness testing (ITV)1.6Driver and co-driver licences1.7Regional and national calendar1.8Home workshop versus professional builder1.9Common beginner mistakes1.10Case study: budget for a regional season
2.1Homologated or certified roll cage2.2Bucket seats and mountings2.3Harnesses and their anchorage2.4Hand-held extinguishers and plumbed-in system2.5Battery master switch2.6Protection of the fuel tank and lines2.7Helmets, FHR and fire-resistant clothing2.8Mandatory equipment: warning triangle, first-aid kit, SOS sign2.9Window nets and anti-shatter film2.10Workshop: fitting seats and harnesses
3.1Adjustable dampers for rallying3.2Springs, anti-roll bars and bushes3.3Geometry for tarmac and for gravel3.4Underbody protection for gravel3.5Brakes: pads, hoses and fluid3.6Hydraulic handbrake3.7Rally wheels and tyres3.8Spare wheel and on-board tools3.9Ride height and travel adjustment3.10Practical exercise: wheel alignment for a tarmac rally
4.1Preventive engine maintenance4.2Cooling and oil cooler4.3Uprated clutch and flywheel4.4Plate-type or helical limited-slip differential4.5Simplified wiring and fuses4.6Auxiliary lighting for night stages4.7Driver and co-driver intercom4.8Co-driver odometer and tripmaster4.9Reliability and weak points by model4.10Case study: preparing a Rally5 car
5.1Organising service on a rally5.2Minimum tools and spares5.3Trailer, van and transport5.4Working in the service park against the clock5.5Emergency repairs on a stage5.6Fuel management and refuelling5.7Checks between sections5.8Logging incidents and mileage5.9Budget per rally5.10Workshop: spares list for a gravel rally
6.1Choice of car and class6.2Regulatory requirements for the class6.3Cockpit safety plan6.4Chassis and brakes plan6.5Engine and transmission plan6.6Service plan6.7Budget and calendar6.8Final scrutineering checklist6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and standards, and applied exercises. The working software is AiM Race Studio, Microsoft Excel, Terratrip (tripmaster) and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: preparing a Rally5 car from a production vehicle, organising service on a regional rally and pre-event scrutineering. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 253, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 254, Spanish Rally Championship Regulations (RFEDA), FIA Standard 8853-2016, FIA Standard 8855-2021, Royal Decree 920/2017, Vehicle Modifications Manual (Spanish Ministry of Industry).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AiM Race Studio, Microsoft Excel, Terratrip (tripmaster) and SolidWorks, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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