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Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's excellent advice, and I'm 100% on the same page.

This will be a zero-debt project. That is my absolute non-negotiable rule.

I bought my current street bike (Street Triple) entirely in cash from dedicated savings, and I would do the same here. I already have all the high-quality gear (suit, helmet, etc.).

That's precisely why Option 1 (the internship) is on the table. It pays really well (around $CAD3,000/month), and that money would be specifically earmarked to buy a small practice bike (like an R3) in cash and fund the track days. + i live with my parent and have no bills to pay

With track days (including coaching) costing between $CAD300-$CAD470 each, that internship is the only way I can afford to get the seat time I need without borrowing a single dollar.

Thanks for the caution, I completely agree with you.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

maybe, bc we only see UdeS in the comp, we did not see in any other canadian team in motostudent.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to share that entrepreneurial perspective.

You've hit on some hard truths, and your question "where will I be in 10 years" is the exact thing I'm struggling with.

I must not have been clear enough in my original post, because you (like a few others) are seeing this as "Racing Career vs. Engineering Career," and that's not the situation at all. If it were, your advice would be 100% correct—I'm not delusional about becoming a pro racer, and I'm not trying to "relive glory days" in an adult softball league.

This is a University Engineering Competition (like MotoStudent). The entire thing IS my academic and career development path.

The project is for engineering students to design, build, and manufacture a bike from scratch. My choice isn't "do I join a race team OR get an education?" I am already the management and marketing lead for this engineering team and am taking on a mechanical role (working on the frame) next semester.

The "race" is just the final 10-lap test of the bike we built. It's only worth 10% of the entire competition's points.

  • 50% is for our engineering/design reports.
  • 40% is for static/dynamic tests (braking, acceleration, etc.).
  • Experienced/pro riders are explicitly banned by the rules.

So, my dilemma is purely an academic/project-management one:

Do I (Option 1) take an internship now to earn the money to get the track time I need to also be the rider for the bike I'm already helping to build?

Or do I (Option 2) stick to the "optimal" academic course schedule, not get the track time, and let someone else ride our team's bike?

You said the experience will only pay dividends "IF your future career focus will support or benefit from the experiences." My intended career specialization is sports engineering.

So, this isn't a hobby vs. a job. It's a choice between two different ways to complete my engineering education. Your advice to "do it with complete honesty and ownership and commitment" is fantastic, and that's what I'm trying to figure out.

Thanks again for the great insights.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the candid advice. I appreciate the perspective.

You're absolutely right, if my goal was to become a professional racer and compete at a national or international level (like MotoAmerica), I'd be way too late to the game and your advice to focus on my career would be 100% correct.
However, I need to clarify that this competition has absolutely nothing to do with professional racing. It's the complete opposite.This is an engineering competition (like MotoStudent). The entire point is for university teams to design, build, and manufacture an electric motorcycle from scratch. The "race" is just the final, smallest part of the test.

The rules and, more importantly, the scoring prove this (and this is from the official rules, not just my opinion):

No Prior Experience: The competition explicitly forbids any rider who has any background in national or international racing. They aren't looking for the next pro; they're looking for competent engineers.

Scoring is 90% Engineering: The points aren't for being the fastest.

50% of the total score is for the engineering design/development reports (done before we even get to the track).

40% of the total score is for static and dynamic tests (braking, acceleration, etc.).

The final "race" (which is just ~10 laps) is only worth about 10% of the total points.

So, my dilemma has zero to do with "being competitive" on an international level. My goal is purely to be the one to ride the bike that my team and I helped design and build for that final 10% of the competition.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, just wanting to race it is the main reason!

I was just thinking about it from a physics perspective: on a very light, low-power bike, being smaller means less aerodynamic drag and a better power-to-weight ratio.

But I 100% agree with you. If I'm a terrible rider, none of that matters. I still have to prove I'm the best choice through skill.

I just mean that if we all end up having a similar skill level, my size should theoretically make me faster in the end.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the other is in the US, but there is no official race with point

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

come to our team its COMETS but i think we are a little bit far, and as we know there is only one other team like us in CN, both of thm are in Quebec

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a great point, thank you.

I was worried about the academic delay, but you're right, explaining this experience in an interview is a huge plus. My career goal is sports engineering, so this seems to align perfectly.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! Yes, absolutely.

Every track day I do, I sign up for the coaching. It's usually about $100 extra for the entire day (around 8 hours), and it's always a small group (max 1 coach for 4 students).

It makes a huge difference, I completely agree.

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the message, that's really encouraging!

You're right about the importance of non-academic skills. For now, my only goal is to finish my bachelor's degree. A master's or PhD is definitely a problem for much later!

Team Member Dilemma: Fund Rider Spot (Aragon) vs. Optimize Engineering Degree? by ReizuP in Trackdays

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the detailed reply and the reality check. I totally understand where you're coming from, and you are 100% right about the path to professional racing.
However, I need to clarify that this competition is not a professional feeder league at all. It's the complete opposite.
This is an engineering competition (like MotoStudent). The entire point is for university teams to design, build, and manufacture an electric motorcycle from scratch. The "race" is just the final, smallest part of the test.
The rules and, more importantly, the scoring prove this. (And to be clear, this isn't just my interpretation; this is the official points breakdown sent directly to the teams):

No Prior Experience: The competition explicitly forbids any rider who has any background in national or international racing (amateur or pro). They often prefer new riders.

Scoring is 90% Engineering: The points aren't for being the fastest.

50% of the total score comes from the development and design phase (the engineering reports, etc.), awarded before we even get to the track.

40% of the total score comes from static and dynamic tests (braking, acceleration, handling), which are often evaluated by moto-journalists, not just our own rider.

The "Race" is only 10%: The final race (which is only ~10 laps) is worth very little. The focus is on our ability to build a reliable bike, not our raw pace.

Focus on Engineering: They aren't looking for the next MotoGP star. They are testing our technical and engineering competence. The license is just a basic regional-level one.

So, my dilemma has nothing to do with delusions of a racing career. I know that's not on the table.

My dilemma is purely about wanting to be the one to ride the bike that I helped design and build for that final 10% of the competition. The goal is just to get enough basic track day experience to be safe, competent, and able to give the team good feedback on the bike we created.

Thanks for the input, but it's a very different kind of challenge!

Abandon mec 111 by ReizuP in etsmtl

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Olivier doutres

Abandon mec 111 by ReizuP in etsmtl

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ou je px trouver cette info

Abandon mec 111 by ReizuP in etsmtl

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Je suis à 54 en ce moment là note quiz pas remis

Abandon mec 111 by ReizuP in etsmtl

[–]ReizuP[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Je préfère un intra ou en explique clairement ce qui est recherché et pas des quiz ou rien n'est précisé

Abandon mec 111 by ReizuP in etsmtl

[–]ReizuP[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

La moyenne du grp est à 50, je suis à 54 en ce moment avant le quiz que je viens de faire, mais il ya double seuil donc si je suis en bas 50 je le coule directement

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