Telemetry course in rallies
Online course of 300 hours in rally telemetry. 6 modules covering rally data acquisition, tracking and safety systems, stage analysis, data-driven set-up and reliability, and tools and workflow, with an assigned technical tutor.
Telemetry course in rallies — studying from South Africa
The automotive sector is one of South Africa's most important manufacturing industries, with major plants in the Eastern Cape around Gqeberha, in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng. Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Ford and Volkswagen South Africa operate assembly and component facilities that export vehicles and parts across Africa and beyond. The sector relies on engineers skilled in powertrain design, vehicle dynamics, quality and production systems. Motorsport activity, including circuits at Kyalami and Zwartkops, adds further demand for performance engineering.
Fees for South Africa: R 12 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies recognise automotive engineering skills, and does SEIUM count?
Professional recognition for engineers in South Africa runs through ECSA, which registers engineers, technicians and technologists under the Engineering Profession Act. Automotive trades also fall under bodies such as the MERSETA for skills development. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by a national body, so whether they are recognised is up to the employer or the relevant body to decide.
Will this programme help me find work in South Africa's automotive or motorsport industry?
South Africa has a significant automotive manufacturing and component sector, and motorsport teams and suppliers also hire engineers. Employers typically look at practical experience, recognised qualifications and references. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Speak to potential employers about whether they would value it.
How does the course fit around a job, and how are fees paid?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so choose the level that matches your available time. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Ask your employer whether they would fund part of the training.
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
Design a data acquisition system for a rally car.
Understand the organisers' tracking and safety systems.
Analyse stage runs to improve driving.
Adjust suspension and differential set-up using data.
Detect faults early through telemetry.
Organise the data workflow during a rally.
Produce a telemetry project for a rally vehicle.
Who it's for
- Rally data engineers who analyse stage runs and set-up.
- Race engineers moving from circuit racing to rallying.
- Motorsport electronics technicians who install loggers, sensors and wiring.
- Rally co-drivers who want to link pace notes with data.
- Technical managers of rally teams overseeing reliability and service.
- Rally car builders preparing vehicles for competition.
- Engineering and science graduates aiming to join rally teams.
What you'll work with
- FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations (rally sporting rules)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 253 (safety equipment)
- ISO 11898 (CAN bus)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
- ETSI EN 300 220 (short range devices)
- ISO 8855:2011 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- Spanish Rally Championship Regulations (RFEDA) (national rally rules)
- AiM Race Studio
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- Bosch WinDarab
- Python
- Microsoft Excel
6 modules
1.1Particularities of rallying compared with circuit racing1.2Data loggers and ECUs1.3Sensors: accelerometers, gyroscope and GPS1.4Suspension travel sensors1.5Brake, engine and transmission temperatures1.6Turbo boost pressure and restrictor1.7CAN bus and communication protocols1.8Power supply and protection against vibration1.9Installation and wiring in a rally car1.10Workshop: channel plan for a Rally4 car
2.1Organisers' GPS tracking systems2.2Accident alerts and SOS button2.3Radio communications and permitted bands2.4Regulations on radio equipment2.5Safety systems on special stages2.6Speed logging in controlled zones2.7Privacy of team data2.8Regulatory limits on telemetry2.9Integration with the road book2.10Case study: reading a tracking log
3.1Overlaying runs through the same stage3.2Distance versus time on long stages3.3Comparison between team drivers3.4Braking analysis on tarmac and gravel3.5Jumps, landings and suspension travel3.6Traction on low-grip surfaces3.7Use of the handbrake in hairpins3.8Relationship between co-driver pace notes and data3.9Detection of driving errors3.10Practical exercise: comparative analysis of two runs
4.1Active differentials and locking maps4.2Damper set-up by surface4.3Damper velocity histograms4.4Brake temperature and cooling4.5Engine temperature monitoring on road sections4.6Early fault detection4.7Impact loads on the suspension4.8Mileage logging of parts4.9Service decisions between stages4.10Case study: suspension set-up for rough gravel
5.1Rally data analysis software5.2Maths of calculated channels5.3Analysis templates by stage type5.4Data management during the rally5.5Downloading data in the service park5.6Technical report after each section5.7Video synchronised with data5.8Coordination between engineer, driver and co-driver5.9Historical rally archive5.10Workshop: analysis template in Race Studio
6.1Selection of the vehicle and the rally6.2Sensor and channel plan6.3Wiring diagram6.4Analysis template6.5Data analysis of a stage6.6Set-up proposal6.7Reliability and maintenance plan6.8Report for the team6.9Report 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, MoTeC i2 Pro, Bosch WinDarab, Python and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: comparing runs through the same stage, damper set-up on gravel and fault detection through telemetry. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Article 253, ISO 11898, Directive 2014/53/EU, ETSI EN 300 220, ISO 8855:2011, Spanish Rally Championship Regulations (RFEDA).
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, MoTeC i2 Pro, Bosch WinDarab, Python and Microsoft Excel, 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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