he got really angry.. basically, instead of saying something constructive, I get screamed at "you f-ed up", "f-ed up again", "wrong" (but nothing else.. ha!

session, he opened the door, and saw I have seats and harness, he asked me if I have the normal seat belt. (I always thought safety is good?) I figured

that we will take it easy (totally fine w/ me, since it was my first time out there), maybe that's why. He sat directly onto the camlock and harness (they were buckled in) and then try to do the 3 point belt. He then realize that it is not very comfortable (because he is sitting on the camlock, lap belts, etc.) so he got up and undo those, and then finally seat himself. I asked him if he has the radio (for talking / instruction) because I didn't see it. He said, no, his is broken. Oh well.. Can't be that bad, I figured. Off we went.

Going around the course, he wanted me to go as slow as possible. I'm okay w/ that, because it is important to know the line. The problem is, he has a difficult time communicating that to me. Often time, it is just comment like "in, in, in, in". And that is all okay, really, except if I get it wrong (turn in too quickly, too late, cause I don't know the course.. and I don't know if his # of "in" is corresponding the urgency of turning in?), he got really angry.. basically, instead of saying something constructive, I get screamed at "you f-ed up", "f-ed up again", "wrong" (but nothing else.. ha! Not like, "if you see the pavement change color, that's where you should turn in" or something in that nature that I can use).. Oh, and a lot of "slow the f#$% down" through out the day. (and seriously, I wasn't going fast.. not like I was moving around or drifting at the corners, not even close) I also saw him bracing himself using the door handle and the front dash. And I was thinking, why wouldn't you want to use the harness?? Strange..

So after the 1st session, I know I am having problem w/ the line. (still don't know what's the line..) I took the track map and brought it to my instructor, and ask him about some corner. He looked at it and said, no use to look at the map, since you can't be thinking about these when you are driving, or you will mess up, you need to concentrate on the corner that you are driving. That's fine, but I really was just trying to learn the track, hoping that he can point out some reference points for me. Nope.

So I asked him if he can take me out for a few laps, that would be useful. I have always found that to be useful to see how it is done, then I can see where I should be. Nope.

I said, I'm not a fast learner. Maybe we can concentrate on a couple of corners to make sure I know it really well. He said, just drive....

Hmm.. so we went out.. now at least I know some corners, I was going a little bit quicker. (Again, tires not chirping, and I only have PS-2, ha! Still very safe pace) and right away, it was "slow the f%$^ down". I totally know that the line is most critical, but it is difficult to get a feel when you are doing 30mph. A few times, cause we were going so slow (I'm not joking), I accelerated toward the apex and my instructor became furious, said how what I did was "amateur-ish", "that is a green run group driver", etc. And that happened a couple of times, because we don't have radio, so when he said "no", I thought he said "go", and of course, he got really angry and threw a lot of f-bombs my way... In one instance, he became quiet, and then came back like 30 seconds later, he said, "you know why I was quiet? because you kept on f-ing it up, so I am just gonna shut up".. not making any of these up.

I also got a lot of criticism for unwinding too much. Because we were going at a pace that's not too quick, when he said that I should go to the track out, you have to unwind more to go there. And when I did that, he said "you drove there, that's WRONG, who are you trying to impress? I am not impressed".. I was confused, cause I thought he wanted the line (to use the whole track) but if I don't unwind enough, then we don't get to the edge, then I'm not using the track, and I get yelled at. So I got really confused. So I got yelled at for it a few more times, telling me that "I drove there on purpose", "amateur-ish", "I'm not impressed"..

Some drivers came to me during our break and asked if something is wrong with the car, why I was giving everyone points by. (cause they have seen me at other events before) I just shake my head.. ha..

Anyway, so the next day, first session out, again, a lot of "you f-ed up".. (would be nice if I know what to do to correct it), for a series of

1/2 laps, after a lot of "you f-ed up", he gave me like 5 or 6 corners in a row, just "wrong", "wrong", wrong", "wrong again", "wrong".. and "you are on your own". Anyway, let me tell you.. it is hard to concentrate when that's all you hear. (nothing except "wrong" or "you f-ed up") I just slowed the way down and circulate the track and hoping the weekend is over.

With only 1 session to go, I was wondering if anything I can do to help the learning, despite what is happening. So I said, look, I would really appreciate it if you can take me out on a ride, that would really help me a lot. So finally, before my last session of the weekend. We went out in his car. No radio, so I just observe on my own. I used the patches on the track as reference (like "it looks like his left wheel is close to this patch", "I need to start turning in when the patch changing color", etc)

So in the last session out, I was hitting those points okay. As a result, much less "you f-ed up" or "wrong" in the session. I did have an exciting end of the day, however. I was going a little too fast for one corner.. and I ended up in a spin. so thank god that nothing happened. We started drifting.. and all I heard was "oh ****, oh ****, oh ****" from my instructor.. (I was hoping someone would say, "stay on the gas" or "put both feet in"..) I wasn't going that fast, but more like panic.. So the "oh ****" spooked me and we ended up w/ a spin and 2 wheels were off the track. I did appreciate the fact that the first thing he said was "are you okay?" That was my first spin ever on track.

So we came into pit, talked to the marshal, and off we go again, and just took it easy.

Certainly, as a new guy, I'm in no position to criticize people's driving. And that's not what I am doing here. And for those who have met me, you would know that I don't drive over my head, my limit, and is usually very humble and willing to learn. But gosh, I think appropriate communication is so important.. I don't mind people criticize my driving (and other instructors do that) and I don't even mind the f-bombs, but you got to be able to tell me how to improve, how to correct the mistake, help the student to learn, (and every students are different too, I'm sure), etc. By telling me "wrong" (10x in a row, with no other words in between) or "you f-ed up" without telling me where the turning points and such when I was struggling to find the line, is simply not very constructive. If you are gonna be impatience and get all furious easily, maybe one should not instruct.

Anyway, that's a long story.. if you are still reading.. ha! So I am curious, am I the only one or some of you have had bad experience like this before?!