A summer in a supercar workshop
Three months at Mekanik Garaj in Istanbul, from brake pads to engine teardowns, and a pollen filter hidden behind a Huracán's glovebox.
About me
I'm Gokdeniz, a final-year mechanical engineering student at Riga Technical University, with hands-on workshop experience on high-performance cars.
Before engineering I studied automotive technology and computer programming, and did my first internship in a Renault dealer workshop. In the summer of 2025 I spent three months at Mekanik Garaj, working next to master mechanics on everything from daily drivers to Lamborghinis and McLarens.
At university I work in SolidWorks and ANSYS. My thesis is the structural design and topology optimization of a front upright for a Formula Student car.
Away from the desk I follow Formula 1 closely. I speak Turkish and English, and I'm looking for a design or analysis role in automotive or motorsport from April 2027.
Notes
Things I've fixed, built or simulated.
Finding a boost leak on a B58
My M240i started hissing under hard acceleration. The symptom, the checks, and where the leak turned out to be.
Mesh refinement on a plate with a hole
A textbook FEA problem that shows how much the mesh changes the stress you read.
Under
real cars
Simulation is easier to trust when you've had the real part in your hands.
Mekanik Garaj
Jun–Aug 2025, Istanbul
Mechanical assistant. Maintenance, repair and assembly next to master mechanics, on high-performance and everyday cars.
Wheel off on a Lamborghini.
Intake opened up to the throttle bodies.
On battery support during diagnostics.
Bonnet up, mascot in front.
Engine lid open in the bay.
An aftermarket turbo kit up close.
Engine cover up.
Strut brace and an aftermarket intake.
Bonnets up, side by side.
My own car
BMW M240i
B58, 2017
Looked after at Mekanik Garaj. I traced its boost leak myself; the write-up is coming in Notes.
Roof down.
In the M240i.
ABC Renault Service
Aug–Sep 2022, Istanbul
Automotive technology intern. Diagnostics and maintenance on passenger cars in a dealer workshop.
Experience
Where I've studied and worked, newest first.
2024 – 2027
Riga Technical University
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, expected March 2027
Thesis on the structural design and topology optimization of a Formula Student front upright. Defence on 21 January 2027. Working in SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical and AutoCAD.
Jun – Aug 2025
Mekanik Garaj
Mechanical assistant, Istanbul
Maintenance, repair, diagnostics and part replacement on high-performance and passenger cars.
Feb 2023
Ersa Watches, Casio
Data processing intern, Istanbul
Two weeks turning sales data into reports and charts.
Aug – Sep 2022
ABC Renault Service
Automotive technology intern, Istanbul
Diagnostics and maintenance on passenger cars in a dealer workshop.
2021 – 2023
Nişantaşı University
Associate degrees, Istanbul
Automotive technology and computer programming.