Diary of an Amateur Track Day Instructor

"Ballasted" (ballasted) 05/16/2016 at 14:41 • Filed to: trackdaybro, miata is always the answer, oppositelock

23

67

Commuting in Atlanta often feels like a track day, every day. Except, only if you were permanently stuck in the novice group on an overcrowded track, and none of them have instructors to teach them how not to kill everyone else with their two ton death machine on four wheels. The bypass, I-285, used to have a speed limit of 55 that was largely ignored by everyone. Now, it has been raised to 65, with variable LED signs that can change the speed limit based upon the road condition. Also, all of which are ignored - when they are working. If you’re not going 80, you’re not going fast enough. The speed limits on I-75 and I-85 have been upgraded as well, from 55 to 65 inside the perimeter and to 70 outside. Not that anyone ever paid attention to those, either.

As such, making it home in one piece in my Miata or Mazda2 has always been a source of pride for me, since both cars are ignored by anyone driving anything larger, which includes pretty much everything except Smart cars. You’d think by now I’d be used to putting my life into the hands of others.

Above: Obligatory Miata picture.

In late spring of 2015 I attended a track day at Road Atlanta organized by a friend of mine (shout out to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). I’ve attended almost all of his events (usually at Little Talladega, Atlanta Motorsports Park, or Road Atlanta), to the point where I now tech other drivers’ cars and instruct novices. This was the first time I had the opportunity to drive on Road Atlanta since about 2006, having previously done it (poorly) in a heavily modified 1994 Accord coupe. Go ahead and laugh. You’ve never seen groceries acquired so quickly in your life, all in front-tire-smoking-and-understeering glory. That, however, is a story for another time.

When Jzilla asked me to instruct at this event, “trepidation” is the mildest word I could use to describe how I felt. I hadn’t been on this particular track in almost a decade, had a healthy fear and respect for Turn 12, which, if you’re uninitiated with the track, is a broad downhill right-hand sweeper into the front straight. If you lift, you eat wall. I hadn’t raced on it enough in Forza 4 to know the lines by heart, preferring Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for virtual destruction of cars I can’t afford. But, I reluctantly agreed, and met my student during the driver’s meeting on the morning of the track day.

His name was Joel, and he was a 19 year old Australian with a 2010 Camaro SS, with zero track experience.

If there was anything I had ever learned from track days, it was that younger guys typically thought they were hot shit behind the wheel of their cars, especially when they were muscle cars. God knows I was. Most of the time they have a rude awakening on the track. God knows I did. I figured I had my work cut out for me. Also, it crossed my mind that I would probably die. Yeah, totally going to die. Violently. While shitting my pants. And on fire.

I’m not the best driver on the track. I readily admit that. I’ve never driven competitively, and I know I still have a lot to learn. But, I turn fairly respectable lap times at AMP and Road Atlanta, having made massive improvements in my own technique over the past few years. Initially, I was instructed by a Spec Miata driver named Steve on Little Talladega, and I acutely recalled his lessons on breaking street driving habits, and channeled them into the new kid.

In no particular order:

Don’t trail brake in turns.

Don’t turn in too early.

Don’t lift or brake while turning.

Don’t tailgate the other novices.

Watch your mirrors and point faster drivers by.

Don’t overcook your tires or brakes.

All of these were necessarily lessons that any first-time track driver needs to learn, coupled with learning the lines and braking points on the track. It’s a lot to take in. I managed to instill the first three lessons into him after only three terrifying sessions out. Number four was probably the roughest lesson for this young fellow. He had quite a bit of power on tap and wasn’t afraid to use it. I spent a lot of time reflex braking on the passenger floorboard when he came up behind the other novices. After the fourth time out, it seemed that he managed to stifle his impatience with the other drivers, hanging back to wait for them to point him by.

Track days are inherently dangerous, despite all of the safety briefings. And Road Atlanta will eat your car for breakfast if you’re not careful. That day saw a couple of unfortunate incidents. A new Focus ST nose-bombed the inside wall in the esses (a series of downhill left-right turns), having overcooked its brakes and tires. Luckily the driver wasn’t injured, but I reckon he was sore the next day. A newer Accord went into the kitty litter in 10A, the sideways impact into the gravel firing the passenger side airbags, injuring the instructor. Who drives an Accord at a track event, anyway?

Oh, right, me. Uh... Moving on...

My student, as young and brazen as he was, listened to his lessons and improved quickly and massively during the course of the day, without wrecking his car. Or killing me in the process, which is always a bonus! After the last session in which I rode with him, I introduced him to a friend who drives a Mustang Boss 302 to show him better lines for a muscle car. My Miata’s momentum lines didn’t really suit his Camaro’s brute power. I bumped him up to Novice Solo, and cut him loose to continue learning on his own.

He finished the day a faster driver and without any incidents. It almost brings a tear to the eye.

After this day, I have a much healthier respect for those brave souls that instruct novice drivers at track events. I should probably track Steve down and thank him for the lessons he taught me at my first track event, mostly because I didn’t die in a flaming heap of twisted metal and shat jeans due to his teaching methodology.

Thank you, Steve.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is an author on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! because !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , maintains a healthy if somewhat obsessive automotive passion, is owned by a single black cat, has never driven a Volkswagen Touareg, and probably never will. (Oh, and he’s fond of parentheticals.)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 14:53

5

I have thanked all my track day instructors I’ve had so far, and always tell them they’re crazy for jumping in the passenger seat with idiots like me. lol

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 15:09

2

Your first paragraph brought back cold sweats recalling my daily commute from years ago. I moved to Baltimore from a comparatively rural area of Virginia at a somewhat young age, with my shiny Honda del Slo. The 695 beltway around Baltimore was either the world’s scariest racetrack or parking lot, depending on day and time. Being a similar size to a Miata, I dealt with the same “small=ignore” mentality. A couple years later, my shiny del Slo was totalled in a hit and run accident by a driver piloting a stolen white 1986 Buick Century. I drove our shop truck (96 Dodge 2500 extra cab 4x4) for a few days afterwards, and the difference was mind boggling. It might’ve been confirmation bias, but no one was cutting me off anymore, no one was tailgating me, no one “drifted” into my lane in a passive aggressive attempt to notify of desire to make a lane change (lolsignals). Hell, even parking downtown was rendered easier, as no one cared to box me in tight on the rear bumper, presumably in fear that I’d cut a Class IV sized hole in their hood as I backed up to exit my space. The fuel mileage (5.9l 360) was abhorrent, the brakes were terrible (two positions, on or off, essentially), the steering was as precise as a 15th century Spanish galleon, but dear god I loved that truck in the city.

I went on a bit of a tangent, but really enjoyed the article, and congratulations on not dying in flames covered in your own shit!

Ballasted > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever 05/16/2016 at 15:26

2

Ah, very similar sorts of hells. People love tailgating either of my cars, despite the fact that both are equipped as to stop much faster than most other vehicles on the street. Installing a 139db airhorn on the Miata did, however, give a nice assist to alerting lane-migrators that I wasn’t going to be privy to their shit.

No one fucks with the Tundra, though. Go figure.

MPA > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:04

0

Does JZilla have a Miata? Named Jason? Originally from Texas?

Ballasted > MPA 05/16/2016 at 16:12

0

Not any more, no, no.

CalBearsFan99 > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:23

2

This makes me excited to do another track day, then I remember that I drive an automatic sedan.

StuntmanDan > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:23

2

Just out of curiosity, why no trail braking on day 1? I was doing that on my first day ever at the track, and the instructor was encouraging it. He did mention it was not a normal thing for a novice to be doing. Everything else, I agree with. Although my instructor tried to get me to cook my tires and brakes on the third day of a 3-day event and I couldn’t get there.

PedalHead > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:26

1

As someone who ended up being full oppo on his first track day lap (it was wet and I lifted), I salute you and all track day instructors for your incredible bravery. Thank you for your service, I learned a hell of a lot.

Ballasted > StuntmanDan 05/16/2016 at 16:29

8

Because 99% of novices don’t know how to recover from a trailbrake-induced spin at corner entry. Oppo isn’t instinctive! But it can be a learned skill, especially when you have to rotate the tail on a long-wheelbase FWD car. Not that I’d know anything about that. No one tracks Accords.

Laserijk > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:29

1

“Go ahead and laugh. You’ve never seen groceries acquired so quickly in your life, all in front-tire-smoking-and-understeering glory.”

There are two ways to my local Meijer (ask someone from the upper Midwest). One involves basically straight roads and higher speed limits, and one involves a twisty backroad with a low speed limit. If there are other occupants in my Mazda5...boring route. Otherwise....Best. Grocery. Run. EVER!

Ballasted > CalBearsFan99 05/16/2016 at 16:30

7

All I’m hearing are excuses!

Funktheduck > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:30

1

As a native Atlantan, your first paragraph made me laugh. When I first moved to where I am now and started driving 285 everyday I was astonished by the stuff I'd see daily. The first big shocker was watching a guy almost sideswipe me and a bunch of other cars passing everyone by driving on a grassy embankment on an exit. Now I don't even bat an eye at crazy drivers.

Joan Barreda Borts 3rd Knee > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:31

1

I don’t know how you guys do it.

I’d put myself at the top end of intermediate/low end advanced but I’d have a tough time being a passenger in my car. That’s especially true at some of the slightly more technical tracks.

Nothing but respect for all the instructors, and thanks for doing it.

MPA > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:32

0

different guy then lol

Funktheduck > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:33

2

1. I’m getting louder horns now.

2. No one in luxury cars would mess with my Corolla. It was beat up already and I gave 0 shits if it got a scratch or dent so those who tried to force their way in didn't try when I wouldn't back down unless it was a truck/suv. I miss that car in traffic

Ballasted > Funktheduck 05/16/2016 at 16:37

1

It’s a fresh new hell every day. I’m just numb to it now.

StuntmanDan > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:41

1

Ok, that makes sense. I was using it to induce oversteer on my Cobalt SS turbo. It’s very controllable and I’d already learned to do it on the street and on gravel. I guess there wasn’t much risk with it in my case. Had I been driving a more powerful RWD car, maybe it would have been concerning.

Tyson Navarre > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:45

1

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Had to stop in to say this is the funniest few sentences I have read in a while. Even outside the context of the article its still funny.

Velvet Elvis > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 16:58

1

I’ve been to The Mitty vintage event at Road Atlanta and I’ve had the fun of taking some “warm” laps behind a lead car. Nothing can prepare you for turn 12.

Bigbadbull > Funktheduck 05/16/2016 at 17:03

2

GA 400 where that is the suggested speed limit , till it got developed north of Roswell..

JNova > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 17:07

3

Letting a student go solo after one day seems a little reckless IMHO, seen a lot of over confident first timers out there....

Ballasted > Velvet Elvis 05/16/2016 at 18:00

2

Pucker factor ten!!

Ballasted > JNova 05/16/2016 at 18:02

3

Funny you mention this! I’ll be revisiting Joel in a future article...

NoPistons99 > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 18:06

1

HPDE instructors are very brave souls. I sometimes consider doing this to save $$$ on track time, but can’t bring myself to risk my life. I will happily continue to pay to sit behind the wheel

David-inc > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 18:27

1

I’m still rather proud of the fact that, during my first track day, my instructor told me he wasn’t nervous with me driving. He said it with some amount of surprise, too “Wow, I’m not even worried right now, good job.”

I have a lot of respect for the people who instruct as it’s really far too risky but still absolutely necessary for new drivers. I’d love to do it myself, but unfortunately I can’t do more than two laps as a passenger at any track without wanting to puke. Just can’t do it.

Karl Martin > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 18:32

1

Do it on a motorcycle... East Cobb to Atlantic station. On a 30 HP rat bike. Your miata sounds like a massive beast of power and comfort!

Sissyfoot > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 19:27

1

Have you instructed with NASA or SCCA?

96Formula6spd > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 19:51

2

I am coming up at a year of instructing. I started when they were short on instructors at CMP. I had been wanting to start instructing and decided it was a great event to get my feet wet as they could maybe get someone else to do it.

My first student was in a C5 Corvette. Great I drive Miatas on track and I get a Corvette driver. Well I could not have asked for a better student. He worked on everything. 1st session was a horrible mess of bad braking zones and horrible lines. I had got my a sticker for my car for tech. Pretty much handed one as I wont bring a car that won’t pass tech. But took him out for a few laps in my car and it was night and day when we got back in his. He said that helped so much. We got faster and ran they day till he ran out of Brake Pad. We could only do 6 laps before the pedal was gone and we would just come in.

My weird instruction was with Optima Street Car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This was on the roval but was modified. Sucks as Charlotte roval is my favorite course. I’ll say this those guys have loads of money but not a lot of talent. But this being my second event I was getting asked for by name. Helping drivers get braking zones which for Charlotte turn one is VERY IMPORTANT. Most don’t get that you have to brake before the start finish stand when your doing 150+ if you want to make the apex of one. This is also important as there is zero room there. Its track and two walls on both side. But helping drivers lose 12 seconds a lap in a timed event was nice. Ill be back there next year as it was fun and the pay was great. Oh year this was all in big high horsepower cars. I think the lowest power car I was in made 520wrhp.

Last set of instructing was done at Roebling Road. I had a Friend that I helped in his C5 Z06. That car is a blast. I eneded up having three students. My buddy was only there for one day and needs more seat time. The second was was a Miata and he could have been signed off. He has since signed off and doing more track days. The last was a supercharged BRZ. The driver was not fast but smooth, clean and aware. I let him go free as he was ready for it.

Overall it has been a blast. I have had a spin as an Instructor and also had my first on track spin while taking a student out to show him some line while trying to catch a chump car miata with my stock suspension miata. Either way I will be getting my NASA Instructor license next year. Or that is the plan as I am having way to much fun with Autox this year and have not even been on track this year. However instructing at CMP on June 4-5th

Richard_AKL > JNova 05/16/2016 at 20:29

1

Seriously? First proper drive on a track I was solo (Nurburgring). I think as long as the driver has a healthy dose of respect (or for the Nurburgring, Fear) then they should be fine most of the time.

Ballasted > Karl Martin 05/16/2016 at 22:46

2

Fuck. That.

Ballasted > Richard_AKL 05/16/2016 at 22:49

1

Very true. In general, by about midday, we have a good idea whether or not a driver is grasping the concepts of safe vehicle control at speed. Not all of them make it. And not all of them keep it.

Ballasted > Laserijk 05/16/2016 at 22:50

0

I dig the 5. It’s a funky little machine and handles unexpectedly well.

Ballasted > 96Formula6spd 05/16/2016 at 22:54

0

CMP is a fun track! I took a ‘94 Skyline V-Spec II there in 2006, during my importing years - that’s another story for another article.

Ballasted > Sissyfoot 05/16/2016 at 22:55

0

No, I have not. I guess I take “amateur” to a whole new level!

Brandspro > Ballasted 05/16/2016 at 23:43

4

So basically what I’m getting from this is they have novices instructing novices. I’m sorry, that’s ridiculous! I’ve made my living as a licensed instructor (ARDS) and instructed in various capacities for twenty years after years competing at an international level, and I would advise anyone I cared about to stay well away from this either as a driver or an instructor. This is why people get hurt and sometimes killed doing these events.

Laserijk > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 00:03

1

Mine’s an ‘07, before Mazda began focus-grouping all the good shit out of that car. I’ve still got nice, wide tires instead of that awful skinny little hypermiling rubber they now use to penalize owners; plus I much prefer the vertically-stacked round taillight clusters on my car instead of the horizontal units they now tack on from some other car’s parts bin.

Read some online articles about Car & Driver stuffing a Mazdaspeed turbo motor into a 5 (it’s basically identical to a Mazda3 underneath)...some day perhaps...

JNova > Richard_AKL 05/17/2016 at 05:19

2

Yeah seriously, I’ve never been to the ring so I can’t comment on how they run things there, but with the numerous clubs and organizations I drive on track with its typically a few weekends before you get a chance to run solo. At least two intructors typically need to sign off if a student were to be promoted up to the next group. Many groups run two instructed groups and the third group being your first opportunity to go solo. As an aside, I ran in a lemons race this weekend with about 50 people who had never driven on track before. Much like any lemons race it was a shitshow and you could tell who hadn’t driven on track before very easily, thankfully their cars were mostly too slow to hurt themselves. All this being said I’m a safety first kind of guy and I’d rather spend more money on my roll cage then save it for a bigger turbo. Also, “most of the time” is not a good enough for me when it comes to people being safe on the track. You need to trust that the other people on the track will drive correctly when in tight traffic, where to give space and give room to pass instead of blocking, know what the flags mean, know what to do if a car spins in front of them, comfortable to take a corner 3 wide, most importantly how to not over drive their car. I can’t tell you how many students I’ve seen go into every corner and get into the ABS with their street car and burn out the brakes and tires by lap 3, then barely have control over their car, but still want to push it the rest of the session. My response is typically to take me to the pits so we can discuss your driving style and how it will get you killed in your current setup.

pivusiwu > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 05:22

0

Start working at home with Google! It’s by-far the best job I’ve had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail.

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ http://www.22moneybay.com

Serolf Divad > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 05:39

1

I once rode passenger in my instructor’s car. Puked as soon as I got out. My hat’s off top anyone with the stomach to ride passenger in a car that’s being tossed at speed. I can’t even imagine what it must take to be the navigator in a rally car, reading a map while cresting hills 18 inches above the gravel!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 07:28

1

I’ve done JZilla at CMP before in my Audi. Most of the time I’m out with Just Track It (another stand-up group).

I’m not a full instructor, but at times I’ve been asked to give ride alongs in other people’s cars (thrashing a Mini Clubman around Little Tally faster than most of the novice group and some intermediate drivers on worn OE tires? Yeah, that might do it).

I had two guys in coordinating C7 Z51s: blue and white. One guy could not get downshifting at all (was always upsetting balance and not in a good way), and the other was flat overdriving the machine (the track got its revenge on his front tires)

It takes a lot to fix overdriving, since it is effectively unlearning a bunch of habits (even I had to do it). So I got in the passenger seat on the blue Vette with Mr. Shifter.

I finally had to get him to leave it in third gear for an entire lap, and just concentrating on where the center of momentum was being placed by his throttle movements. That fixed a bunch.

Trail braking and throttle rotation come later. And certainly not at a track like Road Atlanta. Go to Roebling Road for learning that.

ProCoach > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 07:57

5

Thanks for relating your experience in the right seat, but I would suggest that you may not quite be ready for this level of educational responsibility. Your bullet points are all good for foundation, but if you’re not with them (your student), how can you reinforce those points? This is not a game, or an “experience,” this is supposed to be a structured learning environment. I think JZilla was looking for a responsible body to put with one of the flood of novices expected at this event, but what I came away with from your article was that neither you, your student or JZilla was well served by this action. Take a look at Speed Secrets for the HPDE Instructor’s Manifesto. It’s good and will help you be better, should you decide to continue to “ride right seat.”

ProCoach > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 08:35

0

That should be evident after the first few laps...

Scott > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 09:11

5

I’ve never understood the instruction at track days in the US, is it because US drivers really are THAT bad? I’ve gone out on track at Hockenheimring in Germany many times, all I needed to do was show up, pay a fee and wait for the next group. Also went out on a small track outside Angles City Pilippines, no idea of the name but same thing, pay and ride. I seriously considered going out on the Nürburgringring as well but as I would have been on a motorcycle and the speeds I would have gotten going into Flugplatz I’m pretty sure I would have killed myself. At Nürburgring it is the same thing, you buy your pass and go out, just show up. You can hire an instructor, and for the Nürburgring unlike most other tracks I would seriously advise it, whole other beast.

The only time I got at all close to getting into trouble at Hockenheimring was the week after it had been re-designed in 2002. A massive crowd had shown up, and while they had a limit of 30 cars on track, for motorcyclists they seem to let as many people out on track as wanted to go out. I stuck back wanting to avoid the crowd, but after the hairpin at turn 6 I found myself in a huge crowd of riders. As I came into the stadium complex I was so busy trying to keep an eye on all the riders around me that I overshot Turn 11 and rode into the gravel trap. No harm, no faul, but after a couple more laps I decided it was way too crowded and pulled into the pits. Probably a wise call as the next group of motorcycles out someone had a big accident on Parabolika and they closed the track the rest of the day.

One of the things that has always kept me from going to track days here in the US is the way they are run. I miss the fun I had in Germany and the Philippines of showing up when I get there, pay an entrance fee and go.

STANDARD6SPEED > Scott 05/17/2016 at 09:25

5

Short answer: You have to cater to the lowest common denominator, and when it comes to driving skill, that is a much lower bar in the US, yes.

Sissyfoot > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 10:18

3

Please. That wasn’t my point. You fly right seat with a novice in any situation and you have guts. And it’s clear that you enjoy it, which I can totally appreciate.

NASA, in my region anyway, is great to instruct and drive with. Solid curriculum, lots of support, well-run events, clear expectations for on-track behavior, etc. I just wanted to suggest that you check them out. :)

Ballasted > Brandspro 05/17/2016 at 10:26

6

I’m starring this because your opinion is as valid as anyone else’s.

But, I’m sorry this is what you inferred from my piece. It was intended as a tongue-in-cheek glimpse into instructing at track days, not a critical view of my (or anyone else’s) qualifications or Jzilla’s methods of track day organization.

My list of credentials isn’t as long as yours, if they’re true, no. It’s hard to match that, actually. I’m not licensed by any sanctioning body. I’ve never had the opportunity to compete on any level, though I’d love to. I can’t match twenty years of experience, because I haven’t even been an automotive enthusiast for twenty years, and can only claim ten years’ worth of track experience. I’m not ashamed to admit any of that.

If, in your eyes, that invalidates me as an instructor for basic track safety, I’m willing to accept that. So be it, I’m a novice. However, my reputation as a safe driver with common sense and a healthy respect for both the vehicles and the tracks stands on its own in our community, and I’m quite content in that.

As a closing, I’d like to add that driving at speed, even in a controlled environment, is a risk. People get hurt and killed doing this even professionally. I’m saddened that you took my words and used them to illustrate a greater risk in James’ events without deeper knowledge of how they are run.

ateamfan42 > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 10:29

1

Installing a 139db airhorn on the Miata did, however, give a nice assist to alerting lane-migrators that I wasn’t going to be privy to their shit.

Very much yes. I was concerned the Natilus air horn was going to be too much, but it is perfect. Loud, but not train-horn stupid loud.

Ballasted > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 05/17/2016 at 10:30

0

Hello fellow Jzilla attendee! JTI is another great group in this area. I missed CMP last year (alas) because my car wasn’t ready, but hope to hit it again soon.

Everything you said about breaking those bad habits is true, and 95% of the incidents at these events is due to overdriving. Sometimes people just get overconfiderent.

Little Talladega is also a great track for learning. It’s small, flat, with lots of runoff and close to nothing in the way of walls.

ateamfan42 > Scott 05/17/2016 at 10:37

9

I’ve never understood the instruction at track days in the US, is it because US drivers really are THAT bad?

Pretty much, yes. Aside from those who choose to seek out driving instruction with things like HPDE events, driving education in the US is essentially non-existent. What passes for “driver’s education” prior to one getting a driver’s license focuses primarily on parallel parking and comprehension of the drunk driving laws. While those are important information, new drivers are not taught any sort of car control skills.

Ballasted > ProCoach 05/17/2016 at 10:39

2

I’m not sure where I communicated that we are not with the students, but when instructing at these events, we alternate between the student driving with an instructor directing and the instructor driving with the student observing, either all day or until such a time as the student is deemed safe enough to continue learning on their own. First-time novices usually spend all day with their instructors, unless displaying quick growth and competence, and experienced novices generally spend just the morning with an instructor as a refresher, unless otherwise requested by the student or instructor.

Thanks for the resource on instructing, though. I could always stand to learn more!

Ballasted > Scott 05/17/2016 at 10:42

1

I have no need to address this, the other two gentlemen covered it admirably.

Also, I’m jealous of your track access!

Ballasted > Sissyfoot 05/17/2016 at 10:44

1

That was intended as a light-hearted response, sorry if it read otherwise!

I’ll definitely check NASA out in that regard. I knew about their events but didn’t realize they had instructor curriculum. It could come in handy.

14FeistyFieSTa > Scott 05/17/2016 at 10:47

0

Not all track days require novices to get an instructor. Often enough if it’s your first time on track ever, they highly recommend it. It just makes sense though because driving on a track is entirely different from driving on the road. In addition, it can really help novices learn the track before they go balls-out themselves.

rhobere > Scott 05/17/2016 at 11:26

0

It has less to do with driving skill and more to do with liability in a sue-happy country. I don't know about track in Europe, but most tracks in the states have trouble turning much of a profit so they really can't afford to pay out in a negligence or wrongful death suit. By forcing a driver to go out on track with an instructor before cutting them loose on their own, they can claim due diligence and avoid having to pay out in most cases.

Sissyfoot > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 12:23

1

Well, again, it’s going to vary by region. MW/GL has a solid program, but I haven’t ventured outside of it.

Another thing I like about NASA vs the smaller track day groups is that there are goals and options beyond ‘getting faster and surviving today.’ You work towards something, like a competition license, whether that’s TT or wheel-to-wheel.

masked-Driver > ateamfan42 05/17/2016 at 15:17

2

Actually in california they don’t even test you on parking anymore. Took my test about 4 years ago and all the instructor told me to do was drive around the block and back to the dmv. That was it, that was the whole test. I was dumbfounded.

Dedischado > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever 05/17/2016 at 15:23

0

I had a similar experience in reverse. As part of a family of 8, we had a 1985 Suburban as a family car and that was what I learned to drive on. When I got a smaller car I found out that there was a much smaller margin of error as people didn’t give you as much space as in that old blue tank. I miss it.

Daniel Fleck > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 16:48

2

I also drive a Miata on the freeways of Atlanta... It is indeed a chilling experience at times. The condition of cars I’ve seen, the incredible angles across 6 lanes to exit well past the last second, the amount of people with headphones or eyes glued to their phones... Speed of traffic is the least of my worries.

Daniel Fleck > Funktheduck 05/17/2016 at 16:50

1

Every time I think I’ve seen the craziest maneuver ever, Atlanta drivers pull through with something even more ridiculous... My wife works from home so the times we are out together and she says “did you see that driver do that?” and I’m like, “That? That’s pretty mild. I don’t even bat an eye at that...”

I got a dashcam just so I can show her some of the horrors I’ve seen.

Daniel Fleck > Bigbadbull 05/17/2016 at 16:50

1

I refer to 400 as the “Atlanta Autobahn.”

Daniel Fleck > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 16:53

1

Yes, NASA has high standards for instructors and I have been very happy with the many instructors I have had over the years. Luckily most of them are Spec Miata drivers who had good tips for me. The rule enforcement does seem to vary by region though... I do wish the Southeast Region allowed passengers in HPDE 3/4 so I could let my wife experience my hobby.

WouldRatherHave10MPGThenAnEV > Scott 05/17/2016 at 20:02

0

I would also bring up the fact that in the US, it is FAR easier and cheaper/affordable to buy a car that can flatten you like a pancake with 500HP.

In Germany, the cost of insurance and taxes on that horse power in insane, so most people drive cars through their life increasing the HP in slow jumps. And this is also true of motorcycles, in the US: Get your license? BUY A 1200CC HAYABUSA! In Germany: get your license? Cool, you can drive a 100CC scooter for 2 years until you aren’t a dumbass, and then you can have a 250CC dirtbike or scooter. Then you might be allowed a 600cc, but nope, you can’t afford the taxes.

96Formula6spd > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 20:28

1

It is where I started my track day experience. Fun track but really needs a repave. Of the tracks I have been to these is my order of fun.
-Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval
-Carolina Motorsports Park
-Roebiling Road
-Road Atlanta.

rdev44477777 > Brandspro 05/17/2016 at 21:57

1

Jerkoff.

rdev44477777 > Ballasted 05/17/2016 at 21:59

1

Nice article. I occasionally instruct at Jzilla, great group of enthusiasts. Very few oversized ego's or track day heroes.

Brandspro > rdev44477777 05/18/2016 at 12:14

0

And what do YOU do for a living? I take my profession very seriously, and take a great deal of pride in it. I worked hard at it. I also know all too well the danger involved.

The Hotness > Scott 05/18/2016 at 16:12

0

“as the next group of motorcycles out someone had a big accident”

I think you have your answer..