Motorsports Engineering Technology

G. Fred Lopez, Program Director

Welcome to the Motorsports Engineering Technology webpage at ODU! 

The Engineering Technology Department offers a bachelor's completion program in Motorsports Technology as an option of its General Engineering Technology program.

Old Dominion University and the New College Institute of Virginia (NCI) have partnered to offer this program in Martinsville, Virginia.  The program is open to students that have completed lower-division course requirements or earned an associate degree in applied science (AAS) in a technical field, and desire to continue their baccalaureate education by pursuing upper-division courses of study in areas related to motorsports technology. 

The option in Motorsports Technology has been structured to provide a flexible technical education involving an interdisciplinary mixture of courses related to motorsports such as, Ground Vehicle Aerodynamics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Race Car Performance, Vehicle Dynamics and High Performance Piston Engines.  Motorsports-related courses are not to be confused with Automotive-related courses

The Motorsports technology program aims at satisfying the educational aspirations of many students, professionals, and companies involved in the motorsports industry state and nationwide.  Its areas of study meet specific goals and career objectives of students interested in motorsports, and graduates from this program are employed by the automotive and motorsports industries in a wide range of career positions ranging from high performance vehicle and engine design and manufacturing, high performance vehicle and engine testing, high performance sports-concept-car design, motorsports race event management, raceway facilities administration, and race crew management..

Motorsports, a growing industry

Motorsports is a rapidly growing industry in the US and worldwide and, in many instances, it is at the vanguard of vehicle design, manufacture and testing.  Auto racing is not only an entertainment event but also a real opportunity to subject engines, body and structure of ground vehicles to extreme conditions that test and verify their durability, power, safety and aerodynamics. Motorsports also carries with it the prestige of national and international makes, models and vehicle manufacturers. Motorsports involves and attracts businesses, sponsors and investors, and provides countless technical opportunities for engineers and technologists.

Many experts involved in Motorsports agree that the golden age of national and international auto racing is right now. In fact, the Motorsports industry has reached an unprecedented level of technical sophistication that brings well remunerated jobs to professionals with knowledge and skill in the field.

Program Characteristics.

The Motorsports program is open to students that have completed or are currently completing Lower-Division credit requirements. These requirements involve both; general education, and a group of technical-base credits that stress heavily on subjects related to the field of Motorsports.

Students may complete general education credits at a local Private or State College or at ODU's main campus in Norfolk. However, only a limited number of Colleges or Institutes offer technical-base courses stressing on subjects strictly related to Motorsports. ODU works in partnership with Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) in Martinsville, VA to offer lower-division credits in the field of motorsports. Specialized facilities and laboratories allow PHCC to deliver courses in motorsports technology as per ODU's requirements.

All Upper-Division courses are delivered by Old Dominion University at the New College Institute in Martinsville, Virginia, through conventional lectures in classrooms, and laboratory practice at relevant sites and laboratory facilities including the Driving simulator, Vehicle dynamics rig, Chassis dynamometer, and Engine Instrumentation laboratories at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR), the Virginia Motorsports Technology Center Motorsports at Patrick Henry Community College, and NASA's Full-Scale Wind Tunnel operated by ODU.

Students are also encouraged to contact their local community college for information on articulation agreements, or ODU's Motorsports Technology program director for specific course selection guidance.  For additional information, download brochure and the motorsports curriculum sheet.