dgrobs

Luck of the draw. Don't be discouraged, and as said above, if the fit isn't there, don't wait until after the event to say something. Ask for a different instructor right away.

It's definitely not something you're doing. I've had you as a student twice and I had a freakin blast with you both times, period!!
You're a great student and I know you left the track at both of those events a safer, smoother, and overall better driver.
You have the right attitude.
You are eager to learn.
You are eager to get better.
You are smart and a fast learner, and when you want to accomplish something, you do.
Remember the work it took to get you to stop popping off the brake pedal?
I didn't give up on you, and I even went to ask one of our NNJR CI's how to get you to stop doing that when my methods weren't working, and using his advice, we were able to get that bad habit done with. Remember that at NJMP?
Was the highlight of that weekend for me.
Hang in there and don't be discouraged. Your experience is not the norm, especially with PCA. Luck of the draw I guess. You def deserve better, and you will get it.
You were taking instruction from me very well, and I know I can overwhelm at times. It's def not something you're doing. Of that I am sure.

You will get great instructors again. Stick with Potomac and do lots of events with them. Their instructor core is really top notch, right up there with regions like NNJR and Niagara and all the other great regions up this neck of the woods. You'll get the right one at your next event.

Again, if the fit isn't there, say something right away, don't wait. See you at VIR in a couple weeks, yes?

ANGST

Thanks for the encouragement, yes I’ll be at VIR , looking forward to it. It will be my first 3 day event .

Also bought a Garmin Catalyst, maybe not for the live coaching , but the after session review

stownsen914

Yeah, that's not cool. Make sure to give feedback to the event organizers. They do actually want it so they can improve their instructor corps, and give feedback to individuals as appropriate. Like dgrobs said, hang in there. Don't be afraid to write a chief instructor and share your summary feedback of your experience. Clubs don't like having unsatisfied customers. They may make a point to give you one of their better instructors at your next track event.

dgrobs

First time to VIR?

ANGST

yes first time to VIR

dgrobs

Oh baby are you gonna be in heaven.
2 sessions to learn the line and 10 more to rip it up!!
WOOHOOOOOOOO……

ProCoach

17,000 laps in twenty-four years and I’m still learning!

Hey, @ANGST, if I’m there on Friday or Saturday, would love to show you a few tricks to speed your debrief from the Catalyst. Ping me early in the event.

dgrobs

He's a fast learner…..

ProCoach

Best story I have about learning a track was COTA in 2012. I had assembled three of the best coaches I know, Tom Long, Jason Hart and Ross Bentley, to help me teach a school for 150 racers at the first SVRA event there.

I was racing my car and after the first session, Ross comes up to me says “you were quickest in the session and you look great out there, you must have a bunch of laps.”

I said “yeah, on the simulator! These are my first laps…” I wore a big smile rest of the day.

It was interesting watching some of the DE versus Club Race drivers at VIR, or more interesting listening to them from my office. The sense of urgency is lacking in most DE drivers, many are content (no judgement) cruising around.

It’s only when you push to the point where the car begins to push back, in an incremental way, that you really learn things. Thankfully, I can still do that and learn things. And no, I’ve not crashed.

dgrobs

Hey, I’m one of those guys who likes cruising around…..(and I’m a far cry from a good track driver).
Some of us like just cruising around. It’s fun.
I know it’s cool to chase lap times and be better and faster than the next guy.
Me, I just like cruising around and driving fast.

ProCoach

I think you, and the better drivers, just want to improve.

Lap times are WAY too big a measure to attack or even try and figure out what to do next, as a whole.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time...

I think the best students of the sport are like you. Expanding their knowledge and experience, taking small, incremental baby bites to improve.

dgrobs

No way. Not me.
I’m Jewish, so shellfish, pork, and animals with tusks are a no no.

Now, if you said “how do you eat a smoked salmon”, we’d have something to talk about…..

Cyclman

My club has a very high percentage of deeply experienced, talented instructors, so I like variety, but at a high daily cost, a bad instructor can be rather frustrating.

LuigiVampa

Beware of the instructor who tells you to discard what the last instructor told you. Unless the last instructor taught something fundamentally wrong, a good instructor builds on the last instructor.

I've gotten into a car with too many confused students who have been told different things each time by each of their past instructors.

Manifold

Ask around to paddock to find out who the really good instructors are, then request instructors from that list.

Characteristics of good instructors are that they’re good drivers, good teachers, and they instruct because they enjoy seeing students progress and have fun, rather than because they want discounted/free track time or instructor status.