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GP RaceFab
is currently looking for motivated and qualified people to enroll in a
fabrication apprenticeship program. This
program is not intended for experienced racecar fabricators looking to change
jobs, but instead is intended for persons who have a desire to become a
fabricator on a top-level race team.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who am I?
Over the last 10 years I have been the lead fabricator for several
NASCAR teams in Nextel Cup, the Busch series and the Craftsman Truck series.
The largest responsibility in that position is the hiring and training of
new fabricators. I know what skills and experience race teams are looking
for.
What skills will I be learning?
Fabricator apprentices will be taught every aspect of building a NASCAR
type racecar. You will be taught
the techniques to be able to do hard fabrication, finish fabrication and body
hanging. If you complete this program, you will have the skills that
professional race teams are looking and paying for.
How long is the apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship program is one year. It has been my experience
that anyone who is committed to learning and working hard can master the
skills necessary to fit in and contribute to a race team in that amount of
time. Some people pick things up quicker than others so one year is just an
average. It may be possible to complete the training a little quicker, but one
year here with ‘hands on’ fabrication and instruction will
certainly prepare you for your career.
How much does this pay?
This position will
pay minimum wage. This is an
apprenticeship designed to be an alternative to paying to go a “racing”
school with the big difference being that you will be paid a
small amount instead of paying out a large amount.
Will I need any tools?
In the beginning, you will not need tools.
Over the term, you will need to buy your own tools to prepare you for
your career. Every one of the
top-level teams require you to have your own tools, so you will need to be
ready by the time you leave at the end of the term.
Why an apprenticeship rather than just
go to a racing school?
I’ve been asked a million times… “How do you get into racing? Do you have to know somebody or just be lucky?”
The answer is neither. There
are many ways if getting into this field.
As a lead fabricator for top-level Truck, Busch, and Cup teams, I was
in the position of hiring in fabricators.
Very rarely did I hire someone with no experience because it
takes too much time to teach and train someone new.
I have hired people
straight out of some racing schools, but I quit doing this because I found
that people coming from schools were not ready to be an immediate
productive part of the team. Most
of the schools that I am familiar with tend not to teach you all of the skills
you need. For example, I hired a
person from a school and asked to him to make a crush panel.
After and hour and a half, he was struggling with making the pattern.
When I asked him if they had taught him how to make crush panels in his
school, he said that the instructors handed them the pattern and had them make
the crush panel off of their pattern. Making
a good pattern is 90% of making the crush panel.
After the pattern is made, its simply trace it out and cut on the line.
My 81 year old grandma and my 4 year old daughter can do that part.
This apprenticeship is better than a school because you get both the education
and the experience.
Why is GP Racefab offering this
opportunity?
Because this is a win-win deal for all. You get the education
and experience you need and I get assistance with my business to keep cost down and prices competitive. I have recently
started GP Racefab and have already started getting enough business that I’m
having to turn some down. I’m willing to invest in your future for
the benefit you can bring GP Racefab.
Am I right for this apprenticeship?
Only you know the answer to that. Are you teachable or do
you already think you know it all? Are you willing to work very hard for a
year to open up a great career doing something you love? Professional racing
is not for people who don’t want to work hard and long hours. If you are
just a fan and don’t really know if you want to make a commitment,
this is probably not for you. If you are willing to commit to this program,
commit to being teachable and commit to a year of hard work so you can win
in the long run, you will be able to get the job you really want. No race car
experience is required but experience welding is a plus. If you are a good Mig
welder and even some Tig experience your learning curve will be shorter.
Please include any welding experience on your resume.
If you think you are a good candidate , please send a resume to my
email or fax number. Please
don’t call to see if I received it. I will reply by email to let you know I received it.
The phone can be my enemy some days so I’d rather not have too many
unnecessary calls.
Gene Patient |
