Master’s in Historic Competition Vehicle Preparation
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Historic Competition Vehicle Preparation. 12 modules covering historic motorsport regulations, historical research, chassis, engine and drivetrain preparation, safety, electrics, track set-up, team logistics, reliability and authenticity, applying FIA Appendix K, FIA Appendix J and the FIVA Technical Code, 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
Interpret the FIA and FIVA regulations applicable to historic competition vehicles.
Reconstruct period specification through documentary research.
Prepare chassis, engine and transmission while respecting authenticity.
Implement homologated safety systems compatible with the regulations.
Carry out track set-up and tuning using data acquisition.
Manage the logistics and reliability of a historic racing team.
Defend a complete preparation project on technical and ethical grounds.
Who it's for
- Historic competition vehicle preparers.
- Race engineers in historic championships.
- Racing workshop managers.
- FIA technical scrutineers.
- Chassis authenticity consultants.
- Racing engine mechanics.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter historic racing teams.
What you'll work with
- FIA Appendix K (technical regulations for historic competition vehicles)
- FIA Appendix J (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (identification and classification of historic vehicles)
- FIA Standard 8862-2009 (competition seats)
- FIA Standard 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA Standard 8865-2015 (on-board extinguishing systems)
- MoTeC i2
- AiM Race Studio
- SolidWorks
- Longacre Racing Scales Software
- Excel set-up sheets
12 modules
1.1Appendix K to the FIA International Sporting Code1.2Periods and classes of historic vehicles1.3Historic Technical Passport (HTP)1.4Period homologations and homologation forms1.5Historic circuit, rally and hill-climb championships1.6Criteria for conformity with period specification1.7Technical checks and scrutineering1.8FIVA regulations for regularity events1.9Technical penalties and protests1.10Case study: HTP form for a 1970s touring car
2.1Archive, factory and period press sources2.2Historic photography as technical evidence2.3Reconstructing the race specification2.4Identifying original competition parts2.5Sporting history and race record of the chassis2.6Documenting period modifications2.7Marque register databases2.8Dealing with documentary gaps2.9Vehicle authenticity report2.10Workshop: historical dossier for an endurance prototype
3.1Structural assessment of spaceframe and monocoque chassis3.2Correcting distortion on a chassis jig3.3Repairing chassis while respecting specification3.4Lightening and period panels3.5Glass fibre and aluminium in racing bodywork3.6Mounting points and reinforcements3.7Structural protection treatments3.8Dimensional control and symmetry3.9Documenting structural interventions3.10Practical exercise: measuring a chassis on a jig
4.1Dismantling and component metrology4.2Forged crankshafts, connecting rods and pistons4.3Cylinder heads, camshafts and valve train4.4Racing carburation and induction4.5Dry-sump lubrication systems4.6Dynamic balancing of the reciprocating assembly4.7Running-in and dynamometer testing4.8Reliability versus race performance4.9Service intervals by hours of use4.10Lab: rebuilding and dyno-testing a four-cylinder engine
5.1Straight-cut and dog-ring gearboxes5.2Racing clutches and lightened flywheels5.3Period limited-slip differentials5.4Period suspensions and geometries5.5Racing dampers and settings5.6Racing brakes: callipers, discs and fluids5.7Wheels, magnesium rims and historic tyres5.8Bearings and constant-velocity joints5.9Crack inspection of critical components5.10Practical exercise: setting up geometry for a circuit
6.1Roll cages under Appendix K and Appendix J6.2Seats, harnesses and FIA homologations6.3On-board extinguishing systems6.4Safety fuel tanks and fuel circuits6.5Battery isolators and electrical protection6.6Driver equipment: helmet, HANS and fireproof clothing6.7Balancing safety and authenticity6.8Expiry and renewal of homologations6.9Pre-event safety check6.10Workshop: safety audit of a historic GT
7.1Racing electrical installations7.2Magneto and period electronic ignition7.3Analogue instrumentation and discreet data logging7.4Charging systems and lightweight batteries7.5Fire-resistant wiring and loom protection7.6Lighting for night endurance racing7.7Diagnosing electrical faults at the track7.8Compatibility with timing transponders7.9Documenting the wiring diagram7.10Practical exercise: installing a racing wiring loom
8.1Setting ride heights, camber and toe8.2Corner weighting and mass distribution8.3Anti-roll bars and springs8.4Adjusting carburation for altitude and temperature8.5Data acquisition in private testing8.6Interpreting driver feedback8.7Set-up sheet by circuit8.8Tyre and pressure management8.9Sector time analysis8.10Case study: set-up for a hill-climb course
9.1Organising the racing workshop9.2Season planning and calendar9.3Transport and paddock logistics9.4Spare parts and consumables inventory9.5Season budget and cost control9.6Managing drivers and owners9.7Motorsport insurance and liability9.8Coordination with organisers and marshals9.9Team reliability indicators9.10Workshop: logistics plan for a race weekend
10.1Failure mode analysis in historic vehicles10.2Between-race service plans10.3Non-destructive testing of critical parts10.4Component service life by mileage10.5Logging engine and gearbox hours10.6Managing period replacement parts10.7Root cause analysis of failures10.8Statistical reliability of components10.9Maintenance documentation for the HTP10.10Practical exercise: FMEA plan for a historic rally car
11.1Originality versus performance improvement11.2The debate on recreations and continuation cars11.3Market value of vehicles with a race record11.4The preparer's responsibility to the owner11.5Transparency in documenting changes11.6Preserving motorsport heritage11.7Relations with marque clubs and registers11.8Controversial cases of chassis identity11.9Professional code of ethics for preparers11.10Case study: expert opinion on a chassis with disputed identity
12.1Choosing the vehicle and championship12.2Historical research and specification12.3Mechanical and structural preparation plan12.4Safety plan in line with Appendix K12.5Testing and set-up programme12.6Budget and season planning12.7Reliability and risk analysis12.8Dossier for obtaining the HTP12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 applied exercises. You work with MoTeC i2, AiM Race Studio, SolidWorks, Longacre Racing Scales Software and Excel set-up sheets, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: dynamometer testing of period engines, private circuit testing with data acquisition and technical checks before historic races. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA Appendix K, FIA Appendix J, FIVA Technical Code, FIA Standard 8862-2009, FIA Standard 8853-2016, FIA Standard 8865-2015.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MoTeC i2, AiM Race Studio, SolidWorks, Longacre Racing Scales Software, Excel set-up sheets, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a suitable computer 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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