Track data acquisition course
Online course of 300 hours in on-track data acquisition. 6 modules covering data acquisition systems, vehicle sensors, calibration and data quality, basic data analysis, integration into the track team, and a data acquisition project, with ISO 11898-1, SAE J1939, ASAM MDF and MoTeC i2 Pro, with an assigned technical tutor.
Track data acquisition course — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has a modest automotive industry, with most vehicle engineering centred on aftermarket parts, commercial vehicle body building, and the import and distribution of vehicles. Motorsport is a significant sector, with Hamilton and the Waikato region hosting a dense cluster of racing teams and engineering firms, and the Motorsport New Zealand body governing the national championships. Automotive engineers commonly work for importers, dealer networks, fleet operators and specialist fabrication businesses, and the sector also serves the country's large agricultural vehicle market.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,580 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is automotive engineering a regulated title in New Zealand, and which bodies matter here?
The title Chartered Professional Engineer is regulated and administered by Engineering New Zealand, which sets competence standards for registration. Vehicle standards and certification in New Zealand are overseen by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so recognition by employers or Engineering New Zealand is not something SEIUM can promise.
What kinds of automotive and motorsport employers hire engineers in New Zealand?
New Zealand's automotive sector includes vehicle importers, workshops and fleet operators, motorsport teams and specialist fabrication and engineering firms, along with companies supplying parts and servicing. Roles often reward hands-on experience and clear technical reporting. A private qualification can support an application, but whether an employer values it is their decision and cannot be assumed.
How much time does a programme need, and can an employer help fund it?
Specialist courses take about 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, all online in English with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Choose a pace you can sustain alongside work, and check with your employer early about any funding or study leave arrangements.
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
Configure a data acquisition system for motorsport.
Select the right sensors for each measurement.
Calibrate sensors and ensure data quality.
Analyse basic speed, braking and suspension data.
Integrate data work into the team workflow.
Apply regulations on telemetry and communication.
Write technical session reports.
Who it's for
- Data engineers in racing teams.
- Data acquisition technicians who install and maintain loggers.
- Track engineers.
- Performance analysts.
- Automotive electronics technicians.
- Measurement systems engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11898-1 (CAN bus)
- SAE J1939 (vehicle communication network)
- ASAM MDF (measurement data format)
- NMEA 0183 (GPS equipment communication)
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (technical regulations)
- JCGM 100:2008 (Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement)
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- AiM Race Studio 3
- Bosch WinDarab
- Cosworth Pi Toolbox
6 modules
1.1Architecture of an acquisition system1.2Loggers, dashes and expansion units1.3Sampling rate and the Nyquist theorem1.4Resolution and analogue-to-digital conversion1.5CAN bus and communication protocols1.6Real-time telemetry versus download1.7System power supply and wiring1.8Data storage and formats1.9Telemetry regulations1.10Practical: configuring a basic logger
2.1Wheel speed sensors2.2Linear suspension potentiometers2.3Accelerometers and gyroscopes2.4Brake pressure sensors2.5Steering angle sensors2.6Strain gauges on pushrods and wishbones2.7Temperature sensors2.8Laser ride height sensors2.9High-frequency GPS2.10Workshop: installing suspension potentiometers
3.1Calibrating linear potentiometers with a gauge3.2Calibrating pressure transducers3.3Static zeroing with the car on setup pads3.4Electrical noise and digital filters3.5Detecting faulty or saturated channels3.6Time synchronisation between devices3.7Creating maths channels3.8Documenting the logger configuration3.9Backups and data versioning3.10Lab: bench calibration of sensors
4.1Lap overlays and time difference4.2Speed traces and minimum points4.3Analysis of the braking phase4.4Analysis of acceleration and corner exit4.5Suspension travel and damper velocities4.6Comparison between drivers in the same team4.7Summary report per session4.8Early detection of mechanical faults4.9Histograms and scatter plots4.10Case study: report on a practice session
5.1Workflow between sessions5.2Roles of the data engineer and the track engineer5.3Communicating results to the driver5.4Coordination with engine and chassis engineers5.5File management and naming5.6Regulatory limitations on telemetry5.7Cybersecurity and data confidentiality5.8Collaborative tools and servers5.9Lessons learned after each event5.10Case study: organising data over a race weekend
6.1Definition of measurement objectives6.2Selection of sensors and logger6.3Wiring harness design6.4Configuration of channels and sampling rates6.5Calibration plan6.6Analysis of a test session6.7Technical results report6.8System improvement plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MoTeC i2 Pro, AiM Race Studio 3, Bosch WinDarab and Cosworth Pi Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: sensor installation on the vehicle, calibration of measurement channels and analysis of practice sessions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 11898-1, SAE J1939, ASAM MDF, NMEA 0183, FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J, JCGM 100:2008.
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.
- 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 MoTeC i2 Pro, AiM Race Studio 3, Bosch WinDarab and Cosworth Pi Toolbox, 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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