Certainly a wonderful gesture but a tip is not really commensurate with most instructors effort/time and risk involved.

 

For the instructor that spent the entire day working with my wife, a tip just wouldn't have done justice. I felt like I owed him way more than that. His response was that if he ever got his wife to the track then I had to return the favor. Fair enough.

 

I've been offered tips and won't accept them. I really do it for the fun of working with people and seeing them "get it."

 

At some of the Exotic drive programs the participants are proud to tip. Bragging. Seems as such at a few corporate events also. PCA is a Club. Family.. Some of the for profit groups may be different. As I said. Only recently. Also if I really risked my life getting into their car- that might qualify as well. But- PCA - it's all about the people.

 

I gave my first instructor a bottle of bourbon. In the years after I have accepted swag without putting up a fuss. The coolest thing I ever received was a two-piece desert flight suit from a blackhawk helicopter instructor.

I have never accepted money when I am instructing with a club/organization and assigned a student, coaching by request is another matter.

 

Dan, if you want to give em something (which is totally unnecessary), go the swag route. Guys racing cars typically don't need the money in all reality, and some might find it offensive.....but everybody loves swag, its a better way of saying you really appreciate it because you had to put some effort into coming up with the swag idea well before the event

 

A thank you coupled with enthusiasm is more than enough for me...

Ray

 

I've never felt obligated, but am very appreciative of the high level of instruction that I've received at the 8-10 DE events I've participated in. I have Stable Energies send a $50 or $100 gift card after the DE event. Always told it's not expected but is always well received.

 

+1

 

No you do not need to tip and its not appropriate. (no offense to 38D's comment).

Your instructor is doing this because they enjoy teaching and often because they want to "pay back" the patience and efforts that back in the day their own instructors gave (we were all new once).

Drive well. Listen and learn. Enjoy your time. Thats what you can do for your instructor.
Oh yes - and if your instructor signs you off don't make him look bad.

If your instructor is doing it for the entry fee discount, find another one.

I also stay in touch with my students. Some have become long time friends. Thats a reward I value.

 

DE event is this weekend... I'm pretty excited for it.

Thanks to you all for the responses! I went with a bit of P-car swag thanks to the suggestions of many.

I appreciate your help,
Dan

 

Wow--in 20 years of instructing for PCA, BMW, and a bunch of other clubs, I've never been offered a tip. Reading this thread, I'd worry that I really suck as an instructor, but I've never even heard of it being done.

I instruct for much the same reasons everyone else here has mentioned. While I wouldn't be offended by the offer of a beer, I would never accept money, though it is a super nice gesture, CTDan.

 

I'm not at NJMP this weekend. I should be with all my friends and co drivers. It's the people.

 

Buy them a beer, maybe lunch if you are really happy with the service they are providing but no tipping is required or expected.