Being an electrician professional in motorsports
Turning a dream into reality wasn’t easy for Andrea Hernandez Flores, but every challenge made the journey worthwhile. We sat down with Andrea to hear her inspiring story and how she became part of the Hyundai Motorsport family as an electrician.
Born in Honduras and grew up in Galicia, Spain, Andrea took a three-year automotive course. After working at a Volkswagen workshop, in Denmark, she joined HMSG to pursue her dream of working with race cars and being part of a race team. Andrea has made her way inside the team and works with the WRC team and Rally 2.
What does a typical day look like for you working in the electrician department?
My day starts at 8 a.m. When I arrive, we first review the schedule for the upcoming events and pending tasks on our list. When we don’t have events, we focus on improving or fixing components like sensors, actuators, or looms. Sometimes, we have to test something new. Other times, we may have to design, create and build things. In other instances, we try to find possible problems or investigate the issues on the current system.
Is there a difference between preparing a car for a test or a rally?
Yes, definitely. The test car is where you work to win, and the rally car is the result of all the performance improvements made during testing.
A test car has more sensors than a rally car because we need to measure many variables to make a good car and run it effectively. We have to find the best components and technologies for the next rally to make the car the best on the road. Test cars can be heavier than rally cars, which focus on being lighter. We collect data through more sensors for the engineers to make the best car possible. We see many elements, such as how road conditions, wind, rain, and temperature can affect the car.
During the event, when we compete, we also have to improve. For example, in Kenya, Lappi’s gearbox broke. So, during the following test, it was crucial for us to measure the temperatures on the inside and on the outside of the gearbox, as well as speeds limits on our gearbox and inner torques. This is to ensure improvements and to make sure that the problem will not present itself again.
When testing with a lot of data, it is crucial to understand how the car will perform to achieve better results in order to choose the best car configuration for the next events. For example, you need to track which cooling system configuration will be the best for the car and the type of event. What works for rally Sweden will most probably not work for Rally Greece. So, for example, you need to collect data from the water temperature sensor to make sure that the configuration you choose will give the correct refrigeration for the conditions of the that specific rally.
If the sensor fails during tests or rallies, it’s critical to find the solution quickly so that system engineers and mechanics can work on the problem. Time is precious. On a rally, you are always working against the clock. During the test, you don’t have the same pressure in terms of time. However, you need to work in the most efficient way possible to make the day productive and allow the mechanics and engineers to proceed with their schedule.
How important is the collaboration with other departments?
You always have to collaborate with different departments. For example, if we need to change a part or make a loom shorter, we talk with the design engineers. It’s vital for us to discuss this with everyone, as each person is a crucial member and part of the team.
In rallying, the driver and co-driver must constantly communicate, although it can get very noisy inside the car. As communication is the key, we prepare the installation and preparation to keep them connected, using computer systems to ensure that everything is controlled and allow them to stay connected.
What are the main differences between working in the automotive and motorsport industry?
There are two main factors in the automotive industry: quality and productivity. Quality is essential because you need to ensure that customers are happy with the result, whereas in productivity, the goal is to produce cars in the most efficient and profitable way.
In motorsport, however, the quality of your work determines whether you are going to win a championship or not. There is always room for improvement – you can continually find ways to make the car lighter and more efficient and stay updated with the latest technologies. In rallying you produce fewer cars, but they are constantly changing and being developed.
What skills and knowledge are essential for an electrician in a rally team?
Firstly, you should know the basics of how a car works – from understanding what a gearbox is, to how it functions and how it works with the rest of the drivetrain. For example, if you put a sensor on a gearbox, you should know how it spins, how a prop shaft makes the differential to move, and this is because the sensor collects specific data that should match with the behavior of the mechanical part you want to control. If you don’t understand the system, you will not be able to select the right sensor or choose where to place it to collect the data you need. It’s crucial to know the car’s mechanical parts, and it’s equally important to understand how the electrical system works.
You must keep yourself updated with the latest sensor technology – the more knowledge you have, the more you can contribute and bring value to the team.
What motivated you to choose a career in the automotive industry, and what advice would you give someone aspiring to follow a similar path?
It all started with the movie “Cars”. I enjoyed it a lot. Do you remember the Italian mechanics? It was incredibly funny watching them work so happily on the cars. Then another movie came—Fast and Furious. I loved how it showcased the fantastic performance of Japanese cars. During high school, when my teacher started explaining how car engines work, I got so interested and knew I wanted to work in this field—it felt like a dream!
In terms of any advice for women entering this field, it’s not an easy road. Don’t think about what others have to say and never give up on your dreams. Focus on what you want – if you do, you will find the opportunity and strength to achieve it. You might not see many women, but sometimes, you have to create your own path for the other ones to come.
