Hey you mentioned your dad was a panel beater for 45 years did you say? He didn't happen to know someone/still knows someone who has any kind of link that can help you get into a performance workshop? Panel beaters/spray painters must have some form of link with workshops? Either fixing a quick scratch/ding on a car..etc??
(It's kinda obvious, and im sure that if it was possible; you would of done it already, but i thought i'd mention it anyway)
They always say it's not what you know, it's who you know. A few people will disagree; but i know personally people who have gotten where they are today in the motor industry by the help of who they know...
It'd be unreal to persue what you are trying to do.. working on high hp cars all day getting the most out of them etc.. would be unreal. All the best with it.