BrokeAss

A friend of mine owns a video production company. As a novice DE attendee, he was somewhat turned off by a recent manditory novice driver's meeting. The speaker, a well respected & long time PCA member, went waaaayyyyy off into the weeds and clearly over the heads of most of his novice audience. Reports are, that everything he said we're accurate, just well above the skill level of most of the audience.

My friend is considering having his company produce a short video (15-20 minutes tops) about the BASICS of a driver's ed. Topics like, "what the flags mean" are in, "how to heel & toe" is clearly out - you get the idea.

My friend envisions that the video could be presented at the beginning of the novice driver's meeting and be followed up with Q&A, and specific rules for that particular track.

So what would you guys suggest the video include?

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• <font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">The Flags</font></li>
• <font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Driving Position</font></li>
• <font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Safety belts</font></li>

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1AS

I'd add vision- looking "high" and looking where you want to go, the importance of smoothness and accuracy, and most important how and how not to brake. AS

Rich W

Add proper driving position and mirror position, as well as how to SAFELY signal someone to pass and how to SAFELY execute a pass as both the passing car and the car being passed. I can't tell you how many times I saw this particular aspect performed incorrectly when I was coming up through the run groups.

Bill Gregory

I think your friend will have some difficulty making one video that will cover events coast-to-coast. While you expect certain things will be consistent, each marque's region and schools have similar but often different programs and emphasis. Perhaps if your friend got with PCA and put together a film that lined up with the national recommendations/guidance on how to run a drivers education event, that would maximize the sales potential, at least to Porsche regions that sponsor drivers education events.

John H

I would add the importance of looking up and ahead, looking for and remembering where the flag stands/corner workers are, the meaning of the cool down lap, checking your car over between runs, remembering to breath, smoothness, both feet in when going off and making sure (to the best of one's ability) to go off straight and not at an angle. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Mr Michael B

Yes,

Explain to the novice how to use MIRRORS.

Not just how to adjust them either...

Think mirrors, use the mirrors, be the mirrors!

BrokeAss

Worrying about that twin-turbo in your mirrors is a sure way to blow the entry to a corner and spin - don't ask me why I know this!

Thanks guys - good advice all!

joey bagadonuts

I'd focus on safety. Specifically:

Hand signals to:
- Enter safely
- Exit safely
- Pass
- Get around the paddock

Know the flags (agree!) and the appropriate responses, e.g. how to cool down and wave when the checkered flag comes out, the right way to point and "lift" to let someone pass.

How to prep your car at the track, i.e. unloading everything, taping the lights, removing center caps, checking tire pressure, etc.

How to prep your car BEFORE geting to the track, i.e. tech inspection, brakes, tire condition, suspension, etc.

Physical and mental condition should be addressed. DE's are a high-risk and stressful activity and participants should be in good overall health.

Require all novices to drive with an instructor for several events prior to going solo. Seat time with a competent instructor--there is no substitute.

Good luck!

M758

Also....
This is just DE.. Not a race.
Listen to your instructor.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

You can use the text of this speech in your video if you want. It's what I tell all my students before heading out on the track for the first time.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"><strong>You need to listen to me. If you don't, we'll crash, and I don't like crashing. And if we start to crash, I'm gonna start kicking your *** before the car stops moving.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">E. J.

John Boggiano

How about the fact that speeds can be much higher than a novice realises, especially when entering corners.

Choose your own speed and braking points, being careful not to tag onto someone's tail and follow him off the track!

Oh, and leave the car in gear with the parking brake off between runs.

BrokeAss

E.J. - I love your idea!

Eric in Chicago

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by E. J.:
<strong>You can use the text of this speech in your video if you want. It's what I tell all my students before heading out on the track for the first time.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"><strong>You need to listen to me. If you don't, we'll crash, and I don't like crashing. And if we start to crash, I'm gonna start kicking your *** before the car stops moving.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">E. J.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">That is the funniest advice I have seen. Thanks E.J. I am going to use that this spring!