What it's like in the Fast Lane: Life as a Race Mechanic Across Three Championships
Written by BSc (Hons) Motorsport Engineering Student, Moully
Motorsport is more than a passion—it’s a lifestyle. This year has been nothing short of transformative for me, both personally and professionally, as I’ve thrown myself head-first into the world of racing. Working as a race mechanic and data analyst across three distinct and demanding championships – the GT Cup, the BEMSEE Motorcycle Championship, and the F.A.T. Karting League
I’ve pushed myself harder than ever before, grown immensely, and truly lived the highs and lows of life in the pitlane. Each championship brought something different to the table. The GT Cup introduced me to the world of high-performance GT racing, where precision engineering meets raw horsepower. These machines are a different breed—sleek, sophisticated, and brutal on the track. Working on these cars pushed my technical abilities to a new level. I was constantly balancing performance with reliability, making decisions under pressure that could make or break a stint. Whether it was tyre strategy, suspension set-up brake setup, or rapid between-session fixes, I learned how to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where nothing less than perfection is acceptable.
The GT Cup taught me how to operate under pressure at the top tier of motorsport. Now we come to 2025, working for two championships. On the other end of the spectrum was the F.A.T. Karting League Championship—smaller machines, but no less demanding. If anything, the margins here are tighter, the competition even more intense, and the data work more intricate. Working on karts meant embracing simplicity and speed: every adjustment, every change in data interpretation could mean a massive swing in performance
My role as a data analyst truly came into its own here, where telemetry analysis became a crucial tool in refining driver performance and optimising kart setup. It’s where I sharpened my analytical mind and learned how to spot the smallest details that could lead to big gains. I handled everything from chassis setup, steering alignment, and brake adjustments. In karting, even the smallest tweak can mean the difference between first and fifth. There’s nowhere to hide—every corner exit, every straight counts.
BEMSEE—one of the most iconic motorcycle championships in the UK. Here, everything is raw, real, and relentless. You feel every heartbeat of the paddock. It’s a place where I rolled up my sleeves and got stuck into the mechanical side of racing—suspension setups, clutch replacements, tuning fuelling maps, and managing mid-race emergencies. I wasn’t just supporting the bikes; I was supporting the riders—translating their feedback into tangible performance improvements.
The camaraderie in the motorcycle community is something else, and I’ve been proud to be part of that world.
Moully Syed
BSc (Hons) Motorsport Engineering
Big thank you to Moully for sharing her story!
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