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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in NASCAR and Oval Track Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in NASCAR and oval track engineering, structured in 12 modules covering banked-corner dynamics, asymmetric set-ups, pack aerodynamics, tyres, fuel and race strategy, pit stops, telemetry and oval safety, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the technical features specific to oval racing.

02

Analyse vehicle dynamics in continuous banked cornering.

03

Define asymmetric suspension set-ups and their effect on balance.

04

Evaluate aerodynamic behaviour in the pack and in the draft.

05

Plan fuel, tyre and pit stop strategy.

06

Interpret telemetry to optimise performance on ovals.

07

Apply driver and vehicle safety regulations on ovals.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Oval race engineers.
  • Strategy engineers.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineers.
  • Aerodynamicists.
  • Data and telemetry engineers.
  • Pit crew chiefs.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming for a career in motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • NASCAR Rule Book (technical regulations)
  • INDYCAR Technical Regulations
  • SFI Spec 16.1 (driver restraint systems)
  • FIA Standard 8858 (FHR head restraint devices)
  • FIA Standard 8860-2018 (high-performance helmets)
  • SFI Spec 3.2A (driver protective suits)
  • MoTeC i2
  • Pi Toolbox
  • rFactor Pro
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • MATLAB/Simulink
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Types of oval: short track, intermediate, superspeedway and road course
  2. 1.2Banking and its effect on car physics
  3. 1.3Regulations and spec cars
  4. 1.4Permitted set-up windows
  5. 1.5Weekend format and long races
  6. 1.6Flags, cautions and restarts
  7. 1.7Differences from road circuits
  8. 1.8Technical culture of the category
  9. 1.9Analysis of historic races
  10. 1.10Workshop: technical reading of an oval
  1. 2.1Balance in sustained cornering
  2. 2.2Vertical load from banking and speed
  3. 2.3Tight and loose: diagnosis
  4. 2.4Cross-weight distribution (wedge)
  5. 2.5Ride height and aerodynamic platform
  6. 2.6Lateral load transfer and anti-roll bars
  7. 2.7Effect of fuel burn
  8. 2.8Evolution of balance over the stint
  9. 2.9Driver–engineer communication
  10. 2.10Lab: balance adjustment
  1. 3.1Left–right asymmetry
  2. 3.2Springs, bars and stops
  3. 3.3Bump stops and platform
  4. 3.4Damping on ovals
  5. 3.5Ride height change with speed
  6. 3.6Camber and toe by wheel
  7. 3.7Adjustments during the pit stop
  8. 3.8Rapid measurement tools
  9. 3.9Logging configurations
  10. 3.10Lab: set-up sheet
  1. 4.1Downforce and drag on an isolated car
  2. 4.2Draft and loss of downforce in traffic
  3. 4.3Dirty air and its effect on balance
  4. 4.4Overtaking strategy
  5. 4.5Qualifying versus race set-ups
  6. 4.6Simulation of wake effects
  7. 4.7Two-car wind tunnel testing
  8. 4.8Aerodynamic regulations
  9. 4.9Technical inspection
  10. 4.10Lab: draft study
  1. 5.1Construction and compounds for ovals
  2. 5.2Pressures and their thermal evolution
  3. 5.3Asymmetric wear
  4. 5.4Performance drop-off over the stint
  5. 5.5Reading temperatures after the stop
  6. 5.6Available sets and regulations
  7. 5.7Tyre change decision
  8. 5.8Relationship with set-up
  9. 5.9Monitoring during the race
  10. 5.10Lab: wear analysis
  1. 6.1The category's engines and their regulations
  2. 6.2Power curve and final drive ratio
  3. 6.3Cooling in traffic
  4. 6.4Fuel consumption and its control
  5. 6.5Life limits and penalties
  6. 6.6Diagnostics during the race
  7. 6.7Maintenance between events
  8. 6.8Spares and logistics
  9. 6.9Failure analysis
  10. 6.10Lab: final drive ratio selection
  1. 7.1Pit windows and fuel consumption
  2. 7.2Cautions and their effect on strategy
  3. 7.3Undercut and overcut on ovals
  4. 7.4Scenario simulation
  5. 7.5Decision-making under uncertainty
  6. 7.6Communication with the driver
  7. 7.7Managing traffic and lapped cars
  8. 7.8Pit wall tools
  9. 7.9Post-race analysis
  10. 7.10Lab: strategy simulation
  1. 8.1Choreography of the stop
  2. 8.2Pit lane regulations
  3. 8.3Pit crew training
  4. 8.4Equipment and safety
  5. 8.5Target times and variability
  6. 8.6Common errors and their cost
  7. 8.7Measurement and continuous improvement
  8. 8.8Coordination with strategy
  9. 8.9Penalties
  10. 8.10Workshop: analysis of a pit stop
  1. 9.1Relevant channels and sampling rate
  2. 9.2Lap-by-lap consistency analysis
  3. 9.3Detecting degradation
  4. 9.4Comparison between team cars
  5. 9.5Use of category data
  6. 9.6Regulatory limitations
  7. 9.7Visualisation for the pit wall
  8. 9.8Session reports
  9. 9.9Correlation with simulation
  10. 9.10Lab: stint analysis
  1. 10.1Energies involved in an impact
  2. 10.2SAFER barriers and how they work
  3. 10.3Roll cage, seat and restraints
  4. 10.4HANS and neck protection
  5. 10.5Fire suppression and evacuation
  6. 10.6Medical protocols
  7. 10.7Accident investigation
  8. 10.8Evolution of safety in the category
  9. 10.9Driver training
  10. 10.10Workshop: safety analysis
  1. 11.1Templates and dimensional control
  2. 11.2Weight and distribution on the scales
  3. 11.3Pre-event technical inspection
  4. 11.4Seals and controlled components
  5. 11.5Preparation between events
  6. 11.6Car documentation
  7. 11.7Working with the stewards
  8. 11.8Penalties and appeals
  9. 11.9Logistics between tracks
  10. 11.10Case study: preparing for an event
  1. 12.1Choice of oval and objectives
  2. 12.2Baseline set-up and its justification
  3. 12.3Aerodynamic study in traffic
  4. 12.4Tyre and stint plan
  5. 12.5Simulated race strategy
  6. 12.6Pit and crew plan
  7. 12.7Safety analysis
  8. 12.8Expected results
  9. 12.9Technical report and defence
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is MoTeC i2, Pi Toolbox, rFactor Pro, ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: oval testing with telemetry, four-post and seven-post rig testing, and timed pit stop trials. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: NASCAR Rule Book, INDYCAR Technical Regulations, SFI Spec 16.1, FIA Standard 8858, FIA Standard 8860-2018, SFI Spec 3.2A.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the NASCAR Rule Book, INDYCAR Technical Regulations and SFI Spec 16.1 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MoTeC i2, Pi Toolbox, rFactor Pro, ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete oval engineering project, from baseline set-up and traffic aerodynamics to tyre plan, race strategy and pit crew plan, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Balance and set-up sheet
Build an asymmetric set-up sheet and adjust the car balance for a chosen oval.
Draft study
Study the effect of the draft and dirty air on downforce and balance in traffic.
Tyre wear analysis
Analyse asymmetric tyre wear and plan sets and stints for the race.
Strategy and pit stop simulation
Simulate fuel and caution scenarios and analyse the pit stop sequence.
Master's Thesis
Complete oval engineering project with set-up, strategy, pit plan and safety analysis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Oval race engineerStrategy engineerVehicle dynamics engineerAerodynamicistData and telemetry engineerPit crew chief
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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, Pi Toolbox, rFactor Pro, ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB/Simulink, 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 computer able to run the 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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