I've ran a small race team, worked on a BTCC/ GT/ Historic F1 team, been a technician at TRW building/ refining/ testing/ R&D'ing column drive EPS, currently work for Delphi as a rig technician (I forget the fancy title), worked for the MOD removing comms systems (in vehicle), General Dynamics fitting comms systems (in vehicle), fitting/ upgrading/ calibration of weapons systems for Thales, ran a garage, and at least 10 other jobs in one way or another related to cars/ automotive.
The way it goes (in my experience) is like this;
Motorsport- just turn up at a race, or at their unit and say you want to work for them, don't care what as, just anything. Within a day or two you'll inevitably get dragged into helping whatever situation the team is in now due to not enough money for things. Long hours (I mean weeks on end sometimes building an entire car on your own from scratch, 16 hr days, sometimes longer if travel is involved too/from a track). You have to love it, really love it and sacrifice a lot of your life, say bye bye to a mrs, projects, friends, any commitments you've got outside work. It WILL consume your life. I've never worked for a large, or factory based team. It may differ for them, but again when I've asked others, they've pretty much said the same as I have.
All that being said it is a fucking great atmosphere. I've never had such a feeling of elation after a car burnt out (after me pointing the flaws out before and saying it wasn't safe) and managing to create a custom loom, fabricate bits, rebuild it all and get it ready for a race the following week (then it won
). The hours are long and the work is tough, but you'll love it. Oh, you won't earn anything much either.
May be different if you have a degree, etc? Dunno.
OEM suppliers. They love paperwork. If you don't have a piece of paper to say you can do something (whether or not you actually have the skills to do the job is another point) then you will find it hard to get there. Having a mate working there helps, once you get your foot in the door and show your willingness and talents, people soon forget you don't have a degree, especially when you continually point their flaws out and highlight better ways of doing things
It's the "foot in the door" thing really. I've applied for 100+ positions at JLR (I generally stick to contracting as it's more money and the same perks legally after 3 months as a perm. employee, claim back fuel money, living expenses, etc) and heard nothing back from the majority, had an interview for something or other, I forget now, all went well, smiles and handshakes.......no reply. You'll get that time and time again. But when you get the job, it's worth the hassle.
Ultimately, if you aren't happy with your life, change it. It's your choice