A few weeks ago I had to shake several months of rust off and instruct with Tarheel Sports Car Club at VIR full. I had a single student, a first time intermediate group guy in a bone stock E46 M3. He was apprehensive, at best, as this was his first time in a group other than beginner.

Well, we totally clicked. Every suggestion I made, he executed on. Every improvement he made he instantly recognized. The goals he stated during our meet and greet, he accomplished. I signed him off, and he requested that I stay in the car with him nevertheless. We'd clicked, and it showed. He trusted me, and I trusted him.

An experience like this is just as special as a fast lap or a race win. Really.

So guys, as the season winds up...strive for this. I've experienced this particular "zen moment" as an instructor only a handful of times, and each time, I walk away fulfilled.

 

tis true.

I miss instructing for this reason. But I'm going to have to continue to stay away from it for physical reasons. Its fulfilling, but not worth the pain.
Now, if I could be guaranteed 1 student, with a race seat and harness on the passenger side, I'd be all over it. Otherwise I just have to keep reminding myself that its a bad idea and writing emails that say "Thanks for inviting me, but..."

Scott, who fondly remembers the weekend Shultz and I met. We "clicked" as well and it was a load of fun.

 

You guys are talking about the reason teachers teach. We talk about "the light going on."

I taught junior high for seven years going from win to win but kind of like Scott's tweaked body, most people's pscyches can't handle the long stretches between high points. Mine couldn't because I really don't like to lose, even if I can do it gracefully.

K

 

Though I'm just getting started in the whole road racing thing, I'm very interested in teaching driver's eds. at some point.

For the past four years or so, I've been autcrossing pretty seriously, and started instructing last year. This Sunday (3/7), I'm going to be instructing at an autocross school. I hope I can find a student or two to click with.

I remember vividly the light going on over my head (bling!), and love being able to see that light go on in others.

 

most people's pscyches can't handle the long stretches between high points

I've had a bunch of students over the years and fortunately never had that really, really bad one. I've had some that weren't great, but never the guy that "really should just concentrate on golf." That seems to be Shugg's short straw.

But on the flipside I've only had a couple of absolutely stellar students. Adam was great, an absolute sponge (his car was horribly ill fitted to the task, but he worked around that as well). I had a teenager in a Bullitt Mustang (thanks Dad) that I was dreading, but he turned out to be awesome. And of course Shultz, who is still the only student I ever had who was immediately able to do whatever I asked him to try and do it well. He's still using my entry into turn 5 at CMP and when we were racing head to head in HC he was using it against me. Bastard.

Otherwise I can hardly remember the rest. Nothing great, nothing horrible.
Likely very much like Kirk's past jr high students

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> [I]I've had a bunch of students over the years and fortunately never had that really, really bad one. I've had some that weren't great, but never the guy that "really should just concentrate on golf." That seems to be Shugg's short straw.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This reminds me of a student I had at the Viper autocross school I was instructing at. One of the owners just could not follow the course to save his life. I finally told him to let me show him the course. We switched and I did two medium passes (I wanted to show him the course, so I did not run it hard). After the second run, he said we had to stop because he was getting motion sick. I told him I was happy to ride along with him later when he felt better, but he looked at me and said, "Maybe I will stick with the drag racing." I had to laugh. I was impresseed though that he would stand up and say it was not for him. I respected that.

I have to say as far as a good student that responded well to inputs was Aahj. When AJ started out, I spent alot of time helping him out and I could say something once and he would listen, understand, and perform exactly what I said. I was and continue to be impressed with his ability to do this.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I've had a bunch of students over the years and fortunately never had that really, really bad one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Funny story from years ago (around 2001 methinks). And ironic that Scott's never had a really bad one.

I roll up to Talladega Gran Prix raceway for what I think was like my second or third gig as an instructor. As our own Catch 22 does the pairings in the instructors meeting, I put two and two together. One of my guys is "that guy" with a Civic with a giant wing, body kit, 18" wheels, lowered into the weeds.

I met the driver and he was quite obviously terrified. This guy had never done any sanctioned motorsports EVER. Not even drag racing. This guy was straight off the car show circut (which is fine). Did I mention that the car was turbocharged?

Well, first session he takes me off twice, maybe three times, our first session. Second session only once, but that's three times in an hour. In GREEN group. Uncle Catch (or it may have been Renee) pulls me aside...more or less it went like:

"Have you got this guy under control?"
"Give me one more session."

I realized that tire noise was freaking him out and took him for a ride in my car. I'd get the Toyo RA-1s to squeal (which is no mean feat) and tell him, "See? Squealing tires are not necessarily a death sentence." I lifted mid corner on purpose to show him what happens. Finally we start making progress.

At the end of the day Saturday, Scott makes this guy raise his car off its bumpstops and instantly come Sunday it gets better. By the end of the weekend, I remember him not being a danger to himself or others and actually smiling when he got out of the car.

The funniest part of the whole thing was Scott, who apologized profusely for assigning me "That Guy" with me basically being a rookie instructor. After "Turbo Civic Kid," everyone else has been pretty easy.

 

1. I found out about the turbo when YOU told me about it. This was after 3 offs in 10 minutes during a familiarization exercise. Had I known before the event he would have been given a more experienced instructor.

2. I asked the guy twice during the day to raise the car up off the bump stops. The third time I told him to do it in my usual tactful manner. He complied, it worked.

3. Karl did a fantastic job with that guy. Karl was a rookie instructor and after he'd been taken off 5 times before lunch on Saturday I offered to take the student for him. He declined, and showed then why he's now one of the best instructors out there.
Honestly, there's a whole bunch of instructors who would've bailed from that assignment in a heartbeat (it really was that bad, the guy was a threat to spin on the front straight). Karl not only stuck with it, he fixed it.


Definately one for the victory column, but could you have done it if there were Bees flying out of the dash?

 

Thanks to instructors that stick with it!

My last track day at Summit ('03) was in the rain the morning and it continually dried as the day progressed. I was terrified. The last session was almost completely dry and I couldn't get back into "dry-mode". Luckily I had an excellent instructor who offered to take me out for a ride in his Type R. It helped!

I remembered this during the Roebling Road driver school and it made all the difference in my confidence level.

Many thanks to Chris, my instructor!

 

My first HPDE instructor was awesome. Matt did an awesome job showin me the lines and explaining things in a way that i could understand. I went from getting passed by EVERYONE the first session saturday, to only being passed by a 300ZX TT and a C5 on the second to last session sunday.

Thanks for everything you guys do.

 

For the record, I think all of you in-car instructors are insane. Really

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For the record, I think all of you in-car instructors are insane. Really </TD></TR></TABLE>

I got Karl to thank mostly for pushing me towards HC, even though I still haven't gotten my ROTY trophy....*cough cough*

It was 2 years ago I think, and I drove to VIR from CT in my ITR, breaking in the Azenis in the process. It was my first time there and Karl ended up being my instructor. Now mind you, at that point I was all set on getting a kart and racing it. I was fairly nervous at track, but I was kinda getting up to speed after a lap of two...till I forgot that the track turns right after T5a, basically forgetting about the snake all together. At the time didn't really feel comfortable throwing the car around and made the choice to drive straight, bypassing the snake all together, and scaring the beejeebus out of Karl.

Next time I drove around, and did it the right way I got a thumbs up from the corner worker...which was midly amusing.

After that Karl took me out in his GSR, and that made a HUGE difference for me. I picked up the line immediately, and felt confident out there.

Even Karl started to relax, and after a while all I heard was the Azenis squealing and Karl going: "yeah, Yeah, YEAH!" Especially down the rollercoaster. It was great fun. And even though I doubt Karl remembers it, it made an impact on me.

Karl also made the comment that I should think about getting into Honda Challenge, and although I mentioned that I was all set on getting a gokart it made the gears in my head turn with increasing speed.

And here we are now...


CLIFF NOTES: It's all Karl's fault!

 

Does this mean that you want to start instructing @ more events?

 

when I watch a student's face light up as he learns something I'm working on him with , it makes the weekend , hands down.

I do it because of that , I'm not crazy I just enjoy teaching people how to do fun stuph.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doctor CorteZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm not crazy</TD></TR></TABLE>

ha!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

ha!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not crazy for instructing

edit: me cant sphell.


Modified by Doctor CorteZ at 6:54 PM 3/3/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doctor CorteZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when I watch a student's face light up as he learns something I'm working on him with , it makes the weekend , hands down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, that's the thing. When M3 guy realized in No-Name that there was in fact room to do no-name the way I suggested, the light went on. When Turbo Civic Guy realized that squealing tires doesn't mean disaster, the light went on. It's really, seriously rewarding.

This is the thing that keeps getting me into a fast car driven by a perfect stranger, often driven *poorly* by a perfect stranger. Those occasional student that you get (like my guy in the M3) that really improve, that's a great great feeling. It's as good as a race win, as good as a fast lap. Being able to help someone else is a real rush. It's something I really miss on race weekends.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It's something I really miss on race weekends.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's a guy I know that needs plenty of help with his race weekends. His name is Karl and he drives a black Integra.
I think you know him.

Scott, who says there are plenty of "helping other folks succeed" rewards on race weekends as well.

 

anybody here going to be instructing at gateway for the SCCA double school in 2.5 weeks?

in my opinion, in-car instructors are only one step behind safety workers in the nobleness of their task.

 

Let's hope we see some lights going on when we instruct at ITR Expo.

 

THings I like about instructing:

The light going on of course, or even if the light never gets really bright, sharing the enthusiasm with the student.

Learning about how to make myself go faster.

Riding in some of the cars..at first i thought i would hate it, and wasn't comfortable. But, where else can i get to blast around racetracks in a Ferrari, Porsche, ...etc

Getting to sometimes drive those same cars.

On one of my first few instructing days i tought a student in an NSX. It was very relaxing looking out the side and seeing the track get smaller over the line of the fender in the mirror..kind of zen actually.in car cam with physics if you will. The view is equally as good over the fender of 360, 355, Enzo..

Getting paid. (or some sort of monatary value, reduced prices, free test days...etc)

Things I dont like:

The few drivers that actually manage to give me sea sickness.

That same blissfull NSX, when even after repeated warnings not to, still decides on trying to trail brake into the kink at CMP.

After a 115 mph spin through said kink: "oh..thats why you have been saying not to do that." To his credit..he didn't do it again. (Some people learn by being told, some people learn by watching, and some have to **** on the electric fence.)

Seeing the frustration in some drivers when the light isn't going on.

All in all its pretty fun, my dad is a teacher, my aunt is a teach, grandmother is a teacher, mom a teachers aid..I guess its only fitting I end up being a driving instructor.


Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com

 

Apart from the satisfaction/pride in a student who really "gets it" I also really enjoy the path that takes you there. The trying to discover the best way to teach that one student. The methodology of teaching is fascinating and the figuring out which of the various approaches to the different "learners" is a joy unto itself ...

 

I've been to 2 events and i've enjoyed being instructed... thanks DAN and JASON! they dont drive fwds... an M3 and 3gen RX7... but learning the basics is learning the basics. I try not to give them motion sickness, and i try to do as i'm told. They even thought it was fun being out in a CRX with stock suspension, falkens, and XP8s! I'll be out there every time i permitted too... Everyone keep up the good work! We cant learn without you... well we can safely learn without you. The future of road racing is in the hands of the instructors! Some students will love it, others will know its not for them... and other students will have to be told its not for them. Either way, the instructors are there to teach and weed out... and from what i can tell, you guys do a GREAT job!

 

OK fellow instructors, here's a followup question.

Have you ever had a student who scared you for no real obvious reason?

Last year i had a guy in an older RWD car that will remain nameless (most certainly not someone on this board). We never went off, never spun, never even really made any horrible mistakes. But the whole time I was counting the laps, waiting for the session to be over.

Anyone else ever get such a student? It was weird.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MMsportsRexSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've been to 2 events and i've enjoyed being instructed... thanks DAN and JASON! they dont drive fwds... an M3 and 3gen RX7... but learning the basics is learning the basics. I try not to give them motion sickness, and i try to do as i'm told. They even thought it was fun being out in a CRX with stock suspension, falkens, and XP8s! I'll be out there every time i permitted too... Everyone keep up the good work! We cant learn without you... well we can safely learn without you. The future of road racing is in the hands of the instructors! Some students will love it, others will know its not for them... and other students will have to be told its not for them. Either way, the instructors are there to teach and weed out... and from what i can tell, you guys do a GREAT job!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wholeheartly agree!

to all the instructors out there.