We're looking for some more instructors to help out with this event. Currently have ~20 registered with 10 paid, looking to have 33-35 total if possible. Here are the details:

Where: Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
When: July 3-4, 2010
Who: Anyone
How much: $45 for instructors, $340 for students ($40 late fee for registration after May 1st, but looks like it'll fill up well before then; this fee also does not apply to instructors I believe)

Entry fee includes banquet on Saturday night, T-shirt (I think?), etc.

http://itrexpo.com/

 

We really need instructors. Loads of fun at these events. Many of you know, but those of you who haven't. Mention it to people you know who may want to go as well.

 

Registered but Ooop gotta pay :-X I'll be there and hopefully my car will be too....

More Instructors Please!

 

 

What I said!

 

I will instruct and I believe my friend is up for it as well....


I just joined ITRCA as JUNLUDE

 

Good to hear!

 

$45 to run Autobahn. Full or just the south or north course? Hmmm...that's a pretty good deal for us. I am planning on running up there in July in 944-Spec and it would be good to get some track time before that weekend.

 

Question: What are the requirements to be an instructor at this event?

 

Full.

SIGN UP! =]

 

Preferrably NASA/PCA/AudiClub/BMWCCA/etc. trained and certified, but some past instructing history if not. The organizers of the event review each instructor "application" as the final say. What is your experience?

 

well, i've never instructed, and i'm defintly not certified in any way.

i've done HPDEs for 4 years with NASA. I was just asking because in some events like WMHM, most of the instructors only needed to have prior track experience in order to qualify.

 

If you're interested you can PM cheezthis, he is in charge of that. I do see at least one or two instructors who to my knowledge have no prior instructing experience, so you might be allowed.

4 years with NASA equating to how many events? The overall number of events is a better indicator than the number of years.

 

 

In total, I've probably done about 30 or so events. I may consider asking 'Cheezethis', but like Jaje said, I would feel awful if my student ended up crashing their car because of my lack of experience in instructing.

 

For a once-annual event like Expo or WMHM (or NSXpo, Subiefest, etc) the organizers do sometimes get inexperienced instructors. Some are there as friends to the organizers, some are there because they lied about their experience, some are there because the organizers are so desperate for instructor counts that they can't turn away a few extra heads. This has been the case for as many years as I've been tracking.

While I don't agree with it for a lot of the reasons jaje mentioned, I can also understand the point of view of the organizers. Not enough instructors usually = cancelled event. Or, at best, way overworked instructors which isn't safe either when they get exhausted.

There is also the problem of the inexperienced/false instructors either soloing their student prematurely, or just flat out disappearing. These are the ones there strictly for their free tracktime, and they don't give a **** about the student or event. THESE are the ones I dislike most, and the ones I personally don't want to see around. Such a careless attitude about such a serious thing is shameful to me.

Additionally, if you're instructing only for track time, you're just plain doing it wrong. It will wear you out, you might miss a session or two, and your student definitely needs support and guidance, which is the reason for you being there in the first place. Like a teacher at a public school, you have to WANT to teach. Unfortunately, the once-annual events are not free of this type either.

Along that line, teaching is very different from driving. I know lots of fast drivers who can't instruct worth a damn, and lots of great instructors who are a little slower. It is best to learn how to instruct before actually instructing. Communication is EVERYTHING with that, and driving by yourself has very little to do with good communication skills.

I think Jay and the organizers do a pretty bang-up job with Expo for the type of event it is, and continue to improve every year. Last year seemed to run exceptionally well, and I expect this year to be even better.

da1ly, I appreciate your honesty and judgement

 

^^Thanks

If I were to instruct, I would definately be doing it for the purposes of instructing, not reduced fees/track time. Believe me, I've had some hack teachers in the past, and I was not happy about it, so I can empathise.

I've driven the Autobahn Country Club course before, both north and south tracks, but never the full course.

Stinkycheezmonky - Please keep me in mind for this event. If it turns out that you guys are really shorthanded, then I'd be more than happy to help you out in any way I can. If, however, you guys end up getting a bunch of qualified instructors, then the better it will be for the event.

 

da1ly, go ahead and PM Jay, and link him to this thread (though I think he's already watching it). I am vocal and helping where I can, but not officially an organizer

 

I was not trying to criticize your event, its organizers or the level / quality instructors you provide. I was just stating my observations from the organizations I work with (such as the PCA, BMW and Audi clubs who are able to schedule 100s of DEs a year and create a large pool of instructors to develop and choose from).

With that being said we also find that we have trouble getting enough instructors at times (often we'd volunteer the weekend for just one day to fill gaps and instruct students who are likely ready to be a solo candidates for the following day). We've even canceled an event or two (not b/c of lack of instructors but lack of cars signed up - the economy has really put a damper on things).

We've had from time to time some bad instructors - they are found out quickly (we do review forms for both student and instructor). Sometimes a student does not mesh with the instructor (oil / vinegar) so we can change them around. I don't think we've ever had an incident where someone fabricated their experience (maybe exaggerate) in order to instruct, though and hope you have not had that happen. We do get some who do it mainly for the cheaper cost though. If they do not meet our expectations we may ask them to go home early. Our group though is together often so we know each other pretty well. If I don't feel like instructing - I'll just pay so that I can relax. Sometimes it is worth it.

If anyone wants to get some track time before hand - the STL PCA has a DE at Gateway April 10/11. I'll be there.

 

Sorry jaje, I didn't mean to direct that at you, that was more for da1ly. I've done some PCA and Audi Club instructing as well, and know they have a very well run program I really like the certification process for those organizations (as well as NASAs), and wish we could implement the same standards at all events.

I also like the sort of instructor intro with the lower risk activities you describe, and haven't seen that before.

 

I've been instructing for years now, and it's really been a great learning experience for myself as well as my students (who are usually older than I am)... and they have so far told me that I did alright. I love to see improvements of the new and even already advanced drivers. I came into instructing with, most likely, no where near enough experience. But, I've been around the sport since I was born and have taken a couple schools myself and learned from friends. Experience does play a role, but I couldn't stress more the importance of being able to explain situations, stay calm, work with your students, and provide as much time as needed to help them improve into confident, knowledgeable, and smooth drivers.

I have not attended any driving instruction school/clinic but would really be interested if one were to be local. Anyone have any leads to ones you know of (Michigan area).

I look forward to a great Expo and da1ly, even if you don't instruct this year, hang around and pick up pointers from the other instructors! That experience alone will really help you know what to expect next event.

Ok ryan stop typing

 

VTEC, most of the clubs I know of require some time with them specifically before you can join an instructor clinic. I'd look first to the groups you track with, then go from there. Alternatively, some clubs do a probationary type instructor thing that you might be allowed into (I feel like ACNA had this at some point?).

 

Ah that makes sense why I havnt heard much about it :-p Thank ya

 

Wait, just to be sure, the Red Flag means slam on your brakes right?!

 

exactly. But most effective mid-corner behind cheezethis