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CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Racing clutch course

Online course of 300 hours in competition clutches. 6 modules covering friction clutch mechanics, friction materials, race starts and modulation, assembly and adjustment, and failures and reliability, with VDI 2241, FIA Appendix J, MATLAB and an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Calculate the torque a clutch can transmit.

02

Select friction materials according to the category.

03

Optimise race starts through clutch modulation.

04

Assemble and adjust competition clutches.

05

Diagnose common failures.

06

Plan preventive maintenance.

07

Apply the technical regulations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Transmission engineers.
  • Motor sport mechanics.
  • Clutch technicians.
  • Track engineers.
  • Chief mechanics.
  • Vehicle preparers and tuners.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motor sport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • VDI 2241 (friction clutches and brakes)
  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition cars)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for Formula 1)
  • CIK-FIA Karting Technical Regulations (technical rules for international karting)
  • ISO 7649 (automotive clutches, terminology)
  • MATLAB
  • MoTeC i2 Pro
  • KISSsoft
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Role of the clutch in the transmission
  2. 1.2Transmissible torque and friction coefficient
  3. 1.3Number of friction surfaces
  4. 1.4Clamp load and diaphragm spring
  5. 1.5Single-plate and multi-plate clutches
  6. 1.6Reduced diameters and moment of inertia
  7. 1.7Dry versus wet clutches
  8. 1.8Hydraulic and mechanical actuation
  9. 1.9Centrifugal clutches in karting
  10. 1.10Practical: calculating transmissible torque
  1. 2.1Organic linings and their thermal limit
  2. 2.2High-load cerametallic discs
  3. 2.3Carbon-carbon clutches
  4. 2.4Metal-based sintered materials
  5. 2.5Friction coefficient versus temperature
  6. 2.6Wear and service life
  7. 2.7Lightened flywheels
  8. 2.8Surface treatments for pressure plates and flywheels
  9. 2.9Selection by category
  10. 2.10Lab: comparing friction curves
  1. 3.1Bite point and travel
  2. 3.2Hand clutch on single-seaters
  3. 3.3Starts with launch control
  4. 3.4Controlled slip at the start
  5. 3.5Temperature in repeated starts
  6. 3.6Regulations on assisted starts
  7. 3.7Driver feedback
  8. 3.8Reading clutch slip in telemetry
  9. 3.9Mistakes at the start
  10. 3.10Case study: analysing a start in telemetry
  1. 4.1Centring the disc with a dedicated tool
  2. 4.2Multi-plate pack clearance
  3. 4.3Hydraulic release bearing adjustment
  4. 4.4Bleeding the actuation circuit
  5. 4.5Measuring disc thickness
  6. 4.6Pressure plate tightening torques
  7. 4.7Balancing the flywheel-clutch assembly
  8. 4.8Bedding in a new clutch
  9. 4.9Common mistakes during assembly
  10. 4.10Workshop: assembling a multi-plate clutch
  1. 5.1Slipping and glazing of the surface
  2. 5.2Overheating from repeated starts
  3. 5.3Fatigue and failure of the diaphragm spring
  4. 5.4Vibration and judder on engagement
  5. 5.5Leaks in the master and slave cylinders
  6. 5.6Contamination by engine oil
  7. 5.7Inspecting the assembly between events
  8. 5.8Root cause analysis of failures
  9. 5.9Wear-based replacement criteria
  10. 5.10Case study: diagnosing a slipping clutch
  1. 6.1Definition of the vehicle and intended use
  2. 6.2Torque calculation and disc sizing
  3. 6.3Selection of the friction material
  4. 6.4Design of the actuation system
  5. 6.5Start strategy and calibration
  6. 6.6Preventive maintenance plan
  7. 6.7Season cost estimate
  8. 6.8Failure risk analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, MoTeC i2 Pro and KISSsoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for transmissible torque calculation, clutch assembly and adjustment and analysis of starts in telemetry. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: VDI 2241; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code; FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations; CIK-FIA Karting Technical Regulations; ISO 7649.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of VDI 2241, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code and the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB, MoTeC i2 Pro and KISSsoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a competition clutch project covering torque calculation, disc sizing, friction material, actuation and start strategy, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle and intended use
Define the vehicle and how the clutch will be used.
Torque and disc sizing
Calculate the required torque and size the discs.
Material and actuation
Select the friction material and design the actuation system.
Start strategy and maintenance
Define the start strategy, calibration and preventive maintenance plan.
Final project
Deliver the report with season costs and failure risk analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Transmission engineerMotor sport mechanicClutch technicianTrack engineerChief mechanicVehicle preparer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB, MoTeC i2 Pro and KISSsoft, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software, an internet connection and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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