Meet Wayne Hargreaves
Tell us a bit about your background and how you fell in love with motorsport.
From as far back as I can remember, I had a fascination with engines. I wanted to know how they worked, how to fix them, and now, how to design them. I started at an early age. As young as 10 years old, I had my first 50cc twist-and-go scooter. I would help my dad clean and strip the engine.
At the time, I didn’t really know what we were doing, but I did whatever my dad asked — “clean the cylinder head,” “wash out the exhaust,” and so on.
This led to me working in a garage at weekends, just to help out. Then, when I left school, I gained an apprenticeship and completed my maintenance and repair qualification at the local college. I spent many years working as a mechanic and used my spare time to help friends who had either race cars or race bikes at the track.
Eventually, I traded my spanners for a board marker and started sharing my experience at the same local college. This gave me the opportunity to change my career to teaching. At first, I taught general maintenance, but this grew into teaching Motorsport, and then being part of the team that wrote Motorsport degrees.
Along the way, I gained knowledge and experience in several specialist subjects, worked with a Formula Renault team, and ran my own motocross team. From there, I had the opportunity to join the NMA.
What is your area of expertise? How do you bring your experience and expertise to the NMA?
My areas of expertise include engine design and aerodynamics, using software simulation tools to verify results. I also have years of experience working on all kinds of automotive and motorsport vehicles, ranging from Formula Renault to the NMA race cars, and motocross to track racing motorcycles.
My design experience helps students with modules that rely on software to design and develop typical ICE powertrains, and my general experience helps with all aspects of students’ hands-on work, whether at the track or in the workshop.
What inspired you to pursue a career in motorsport?
From a very young age, my father was into motorcycles. I remember on some occasions, when he was on his way home from work and I was on my way home from school, he would pull up next to me, maybe 200 yards from home, pick me up and place me on the tank and ride home.
Obviously, it’s not something you would do in this day and age, but I loved the speed and the feeling it gave me, even though we were probably only doing about 10mph.
We would also watch bike racing on TV together. Back in the 70s and early 80s, it was on terrestrial TV. From there, we started going to some of the local tracks. There used to be one in Preston, and from those early experiences, I just followed my passion for motorsport.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There are several highlights really. It is difficult to just pick one. From a day job perspective, it has to be each graduation ceremony. You know you have helped someone on their journey. It is also a great feeling when you hear from a former student whose career has taken off, sometimes beyond their dreams.
From a personal perspective, apart from the obvious ones (kids, wife, etc.), it has to be my eldest son winning his first championship in motocross, hopefully the first of many.
I would also say gaining my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster University was a big personal achievement.
When did you join the National Motorsport Academy, and what drew you to the role?
I originally started in April 2019, working for the NMA in the evenings while still doing a day job. In January 2021, I left my day job to focus fully on working with the NMA.
Several aspects of the NMA drew me in. The main thing was the content of the modules and the focus on what the industry needs from employees, in terms of hands-on skills and underpinning knowledge.
The other thing that drew me to the role was the team. I was fortunate enough to have worked with Wayne G and Kieran previously, and I knew Roger through the universities’ role of External Examiner.
Can you tell us a bit about the modules you currently teach on?
I teach on the three engine modules. Module 6, Engine Design, Simulation and Development, is the second module in the second year (Level 5) of the programme.
At Level 6, or the third year of the programme (Top-Up Year), I teach Module 9a(1a), which, if you choose it, is Advanced Engine Development, and Module 10(2), Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.
In Engine Design, Simulation and Development, you will learn how to design an internal combustion engine mathematically. The main focus is on capacity, bore and stroke, and looking at intake and exhaust systems.
You will link flow characteristics with your design, then take these architectural dimensions and simulate them using industry standard software to produce results. You then analyse these results and develop the engine to improve performance.
This module also gives you the opportunity to showcase some of the skills gained in previous modules and encourages you to work within a set of rules and regulations.
Advanced Engine Development gives you the chance to push your understanding even further. The assignment is set up so you are the expert. You are given a scenario where I need your help developing some engines. We go deeper into regulations and you get to manipulate software to show how performance targets and rules can be met.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles is our first look into hybrid and EV systems. This module covers the key aspects of both technologies. You will produce an SAE-style paper to explore the advantages and disadvantages of both, and compare race series that use these systems.
You will also get to work on race strategy, developing a race vehicle using established car templates and track data. You can add hybrid packages with different ICE capacities to simulate lap times and race performance.
Again, there are rules and regulations you must follow, but it gives you the freedom to make decisions on system design, chassis set-up, and consider whether the fastest lap time really means the fastest race time.
What is the best thing about your module? Are there any unique features or aspects?
Other than the obvious, that my modules are the best on the programme (delete if not appropriate), the software packages we use are industry standard and will serve you well, whatever direction your career takes. Module 6 gives you your first opportunity to work on a whole project rather than individual tasks, which is great experience when you move on to the final dissertation module.
The Level 6 modules allow you to express yourself. They help you showcase your knowledge and understanding and give you the chance to make decisions, which will stand you in good stead for industry.
What do you enjoy most about working with NMA students?
Their passion for the course, and the module, not every subject will be their best, but the focus on the learning is fantastic.
What is one thing that you can guarantee to each student that undertakes your module?
While I feel it is difficult to categorically guarantee anything, especially education, I will promise to everything I can to help you with my modules and with anything I can assist with, just ask!
Do you have any hobbies that you do outside of work?
Motocross and road racing, both watching and participating with my sons.
Football, watching Blackpool FC and my youngest who plays for Under 12’s Fleetwood Town.
Watching F1 and MotoGP.
What’s your earliest motorsport memory?
Going to watch bike racing with my dad, maybe in 1976. He said it was at the Preston Track, which is long gone, but it felt like it was hours away. Still, it was a great experience.
What’s your best motorsport memory?
Again, it’s difficult to single one out, but my first time with a racing team, Formula Renault at Oulton Park with students, and my eldest winning the MX Championship.
What’s something about yourself that people may not know?
When I was younger, not only did I have a passion for motorsport, but I also had a passion for playing guitar. Maybe I had thoughts of being a “rock star,” but let’s just say motorsport won.
Who is your motorsport hero or biggest influence?
My first hero was Barry Sheene, as he was British, and I wanted to support the British riders. He was a household name in the 70s and 80s. Then came Valentino Rossi, arguably the greatest of all time.
Online BSc (Hons) Motorsport Engineering
course – Flexible Study.
Applications from non-NMA students and mature students welcome.
