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Diploma in Race Planning, Spares and Trackside Operations

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in race planning, spares and trackside operations. 8 modules covering season planning, race plans, event spares management, paddock set-up, session operations, emergency repairs and post-event analysis under the FIA International Sporting Code, its Appendix H and the ADR Agreement, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Diploma in Race Planning, Spares and Trackside Operations — studying from the United States

Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.

Fees for the United States: US$1,670 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in the United States

  • Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
  • Historic Vehicle Association (HVA)
  • Society of Automotive Historians (SAH)
  • Classic Car Club of America (CCCA)

Typical roles

  • Restoration Engineer
  • Classic Vehicle Technician
  • Historic Vehicle Specialist
  • Restoration Project Manager

Questions from the United States

Is there formal professional recognition for classic vehicle restoration in the US?

Restoration is mostly a craft and hobby sector without a licensed engineering title. Relevant organizations include the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Society of Automotive Historians. Some work touches on SAE standards and state vehicle inspection rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, and their value depends on the client or employer.

What career options exist in classic and restoration work in the US?

Options include independent restoration shops, dealerships specializing in classic cars, auction houses, museums, and collector-focused consultancies. Roles range from restoration technician to project manager. Because this sector values reputation and craftsmanship, portfolios and references often matter more than formal credentials.

Can I study this part-time while working in the US?

Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Workloads run from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and you can plan study around your existing work commitments.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Plan the season of a racing team.

02

Draw up race plans for each event.

03

Manage critical spares for a race weekend.

04

Organise paddock and garage operations.

05

Carry out efficient operations between sessions.

06

Handle emergency repairs safely.

07

Analyse each event and improve procedures.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Team managers in national and international championships.
  • Chief mechanics who coordinate the garage crew.
  • Spares managers responsible for stock and logistics.
  • Trackside operations coordinators.
  • Track engineers.
  • Team logistics managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter racing teams.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIA International Sporting Code (rules governing international motor sport)
  • Appendix H to the FIA International Sporting Code (circuit and race safety organisation)
  • ADR Agreement (international carriage of dangerous goods by road)
  • ISO 9001 (quality management systems)
  • MoTeC i2 Pro
  • Microsoft Project
  • Airtable
  • Asana
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Competition calendar
  2. 1.2Sporting and technical objectives
  3. 1.3Season budget
  4. 1.4Component mileage plan
  5. 1.5Test plan
  6. 1.6Human resources
  7. 1.7Travel and accommodation
  8. 1.8Contingency plan
  9. 1.9Season indicators
  10. 1.10Case study: annual plan for an endurance team
  1. 2.1Circuit analysis
  2. 2.2Weekend schedule
  3. 2.3Task allocation
  4. 2.4Technical plan per session
  5. 2.5Baseline set-ups
  6. 2.6Allocated tyres
  7. 2.7Preliminary strategy
  8. 2.8Team meetings
  9. 2.9Communication plan
  10. 2.10Workshop: race plan for a weekend
  1. 3.1Critical spares list
  2. 3.2Component life
  3. 3.3Quantities per event
  4. 3.4Packing and protection
  5. 3.5Inventory in the truck
  6. 3.6Shared spares
  7. 3.7Urgent replenishment
  8. 3.8Post-event control
  9. 3.9Inventory costs
  10. 3.10Practical: spares list for a race weekend
  1. 4.1Arrival at the circuit
  2. 4.2Erecting awnings and structures
  3. 4.3Power and compressed air
  4. 4.4Garage organisation
  5. 4.5Tyre area
  6. 4.6Fuel area
  7. 4.7Hospitality
  8. 4.8Paddock safety
  9. 4.9Dismantling and departure
  10. 4.10Lab: paddock layout plan
  1. 5.1Preparation between sessions
  2. 5.2Checklists
  3. 5.3Set-up changes
  4. 5.4Tyre control
  5. 5.5Fuel management
  6. 5.6Trackside data engineering
  7. 5.7Communication with the driver
  8. 5.8Technical incidents
  9. 5.9Work log
  10. 5.10Practical: timed operation between sessions
  1. 6.1Contact damage
  2. 6.2Bodywork repair
  3. 6.3Suspension replacement
  4. 6.4Gearbox change
  5. 6.5Overnight repairs
  6. 6.6Task prioritisation
  7. 6.7Working under pressure
  8. 6.8Safety in rapid repairs
  9. 6.9Communication with race control
  10. 6.10Case study: repair between qualifying and the race
  1. 7.1Technical event report
  2. 7.2Failure analysis
  3. 7.3Spares consumption
  4. 7.4Event costs
  5. 7.5Plan review
  6. 7.6Lessons learned
  7. 7.7Updating procedures
  8. 7.8Communication with sponsors
  9. 7.9Preparing the next event
  10. 7.10Practical: post-race report
  1. 8.1Selecting the championship
  2. 8.2Season plan
  3. 8.3Race plan
  4. 8.4Spares plan
  5. 8.5Paddock plan
  6. 8.6Operating procedures
  7. 8.7Event simulation
  8. 8.8Operations manual
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme 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. The working software is MoTeC i2 Pro, Microsoft Project, Airtable and Asana, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: planning a race weekend, timed operation between sessions and simulation of an emergency repair. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: FIA International Sporting Code, Appendix H to the FIA International Sporting Code, ADR Agreement and ISO 9001.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of FIA International Sporting Code, Appendix H to the FIA International Sporting Code and ADR Agreement applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MoTeC i2 Pro, Microsoft Project, Airtable and Asana, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete trackside operations plan for a real championship, from season and race plans to the spares plan and operations manual, reviewed by your tutor.
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.

Season plan
Select a championship and draw up the season plan, budget and calendar.
Race plan
Prepare the weekend schedule, technical plan per session and preliminary strategy.
Spares and paddock plan
Define the critical spares list and the paddock and garage layout.
Procedures and simulation
Write the operating procedures and simulate the event.
Final project
Operations manual and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Team managerChief mechanicSpares managerTrackside operations coordinatorTrack engineerTeam logistics manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 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, Microsoft Project, Airtable and Asana, 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 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.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector; no university degree is required.

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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