924Board.org

[bcblase]

I attended an Instructor's Clinic this past weekend at Summit Point, and I guess I am now an approved "instructor" for the local section.

It was very eye-opening experience for a number of reasons:

1. By dividing the class in half and simulating "novices" and "instructors" we were able to do some pretty interesting role-playing exercises. Each session, the "students" were instructed on how to simulate actual real-world issues faced by instructors. The instructors had to deal with the students' issues and correct them.

2. Some sessions were run with a twist: track was run backwards (counter-race), run without using brakes (a real control challenge), etc.

3. The entire applied section of the clinic was performed on a cold and wet track, which made the experience much more realistic, and tricky.

4. In one of the sessions, my "student" (an experienced instructor) lost control of his Corvette on the wet track, spun, and slammed us backwards into a concrete retaining wall. I am really glad I was wearing a helmet - it got used to it's full potential (and now retired).

In any case, I am looking at the responsibilities of being an instructor in a whole new light now, realizing that the benefits of free track time will be weighed heavily against the workload of having 1-2 students all day long, and the potential risks for injury.

Other than a sore neck for me, we were both OK, but the 'Vette will require some extensive repairs.

Other instructor's comments?

Brad
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Rasta Monsta]

Ugh, losing cars at an instructor's clinic sucks.

My two cents: the best way to deal with students is to work up some canned schticks. Meaning, if you can boil down the concepts you want to pass on to every novice, and present that information to every novice in exactly the same way, your job will be easier.

First, you will know that you have actually passed on everything you want every time (i.e., you won't forget anything important). Second, having everything cleanly packaged into short speeches makes you sound like you know what you're talking about, which gives you credibility, and credibility helps you control your student on the track.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[Fifty50Plus]

What Rasta said ^.
One of the interesting things about being an instructor is that you usually know about a second and a half before the student what will happen next. Gives you a chance to properly brace yourself.
I taught at Summit's 2 mile track for many years and two years on the Shenandoah. I now avoid the high powered V-8s with noobs - when you know it's too late, they're still going for it.
Chuck
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1979 924 NA race car H-Prod SCCA
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1981 924 Turbo sold
1982 924 Turbo sold
1972 911 E race car - traded for Cayenne Diesel
1975 914 1.8 Building for H-Prod SCCA

[Rasta Monsta]

A third scent. . .I always spend my first session on track by becoming the "puppet master". . .I use hand signals, and I want my student to lift, brake, turn in, and add throttle according to my signals. If they don't, I don't let them go faster until they do. JOB ONE.

A fourth. . .don't be afraid to impose speed limits. As Chuck alluded to, going 150 MPH with stock seatbelts is stupid, and something you should not have to do. If your program doesn't back you on this, coach for a different program.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[924RACR]

Oh, man, sorry to hear about your crash!!

Particularly embarrassing for it to have been a non-newb...

File that under the #1 reason I don't do instructing...
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[bcblase]

I feel bad for the instructor that wrecked the car, but I had that "sixth sense" of what was going to happen when he floored it going up the hill into the bridge straight (Shenandoah Circuit). We spun as we were going under the bridge and exited the track to the right after the bridge.

I was going to say something about slowing down, or not being so aggressive on the accelerator since it was wet, but I figured he knew what he was doing. As a instructor candidate, I didn't feel comfortable correcting an experienced instructor. I wish I has said something now...

Future note to self: avoid high-powered V8s with noobs - check!

Thanks for the comments.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver