View Poll Results: Instructing...Overall Rewarding Experience???
Rewarding, Like it
77
90.59%
Frustrating, Avoid It
4
4.71%
Only when the club is short instructors
4
4.71%
Voters: 85. You may not vote on this poll
Instructing…Rewarding Experience???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
From: Ventura County
Instructing…Rewarding Experience???
I just had my first experience as an instructor. The student was a young lawyer in a 2007 997S convertible. The first run session felt like I was pushed over Niagara Falls in an empty 55 gl. drum
I was screaming into the chatter box so much the poor guy must have permanent ear damage. I never thought a 2 minute lap could be so violent (Avg. DE time in his class is probably 1:35-1:40)
I insisted on driving two laps to start the 2nd session so he could see that “smooth” is fast. I ran a 7/10 1:42 and that’s all it took. He was a different guy after that. It just clicked for him. He finished the day with a very smooth and consistent 1:38-1:40 session, with traffic, in 110 degree heat. Funny, I was proud of him, a complete stranger.
Is this typical for a first time instructor-student experience?
I was screaming into the chatter box so much the poor guy must have permanent ear damage. I never thought a 2 minute lap could be so violent (Avg. DE time in his class is probably 1:35-1:40)I insisted on driving two laps to start the 2nd session so he could see that “smooth” is fast. I ran a 7/10 1:42 and that’s all it took. He was a different guy after that. It just clicked for him. He finished the day with a very smooth and consistent 1:38-1:40 session, with traffic, in 110 degree heat. Funny, I was proud of him, a complete stranger.
Is this typical for a first time instructor-student experience?
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 2
From: Texas
First times are always memorable, as you instruct more you will have many more memorable rides, I have many stories to tell after some 20yrs of it.
I find the hardest part of instructing has nothing to do with the track nor the car, the real challenge is getting into your students head to determine how they learn so you CAN then teach them.
I find the hardest part of instructing has nothing to do with the track nor the car, the real challenge is getting into your students head to determine how they learn so you CAN then teach them.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 38
From: On Rennlist, apparently
Wonderfully rewarding; adds so much to the enjoyment of DE.
CRAIG - some of the Niagara Falls experience may have been because it was your first as well. The more I instruct, the more easily I relax. That feeling of 'OK, I've seen this before' is a big help.
Of course, there is always the new experience to keep things exciting!
Have fun with your instructing - it will make you a better driver, too.
CRAIG - some of the Niagara Falls experience may have been because it was your first as well. The more I instruct, the more easily I relax. That feeling of 'OK, I've seen this before' is a big help.
Of course, there is always the new experience to keep things exciting!
Have fun with your instructing - it will make you a better driver, too.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Venice Beach, CA
Sounds like you guys had a great weekend out there Craig. I couldn't make it, but hearing about those temperatures, maybe it's good I sat this one out.
I've never had a student that scared me in POC, although I had a pretty crazy one in Speedventures a year ago.
I've never had a student that scared me in POC, although I had a pretty crazy one in Speedventures a year ago.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Rewarding. Frustrating. Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? I love teaching. It really is a thrill seeing a student change in just a day. The only downside for me is jumping back and forth from the student's car to your own and then finding time to fill up with gas in between. Its a lot more effort than I thought especially in the South Florida heat.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 72
From: Charlotte, NC
Wonderfully rewarding; adds so much to the enjoyment of DE.
CRAIG - some of the Niagara Falls experience may have been because it was your first as well. The more I instruct, the more easily I relax. That feeling of 'OK, I've seen this before' is a big help.
Of course, there is always the new experience to keep things exciting!
Have fun with your instructing - it will make you a better driver, too.
CRAIG - some of the Niagara Falls experience may have been because it was your first as well. The more I instruct, the more easily I relax. That feeling of 'OK, I've seen this before' is a big help.
Of course, there is always the new experience to keep things exciting!
Have fun with your instructing - it will make you a better driver, too.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 23,303
Likes: 511
From: Baltimore, MD
I don't instruct too much (or do many DE's). I am always amazed at how some drivers can change their driving style so quickly. It's always cool to see your students get faster and faster, so, yes, it's very rewarding.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 0
One day I hope to teach so I can give something back as I take so much out every session I get with an instructor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
From: Ventura County
Surprisingly, considering the heat, there were some fast times. Don Matz ran a 1:24.2 in an IP car! Took my track record by 2 seconds
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Craig,
Each time out with a student is different. If I have a student who is trying to show me how fast they are and do not pay attention to what I'm saying I have them pull in so we can talk. I find this helps so they know what the point of what a DE is and who the instructing who.
Each time out with a student is different. If I have a student who is trying to show me how fast they are and do not pay attention to what I'm saying I have them pull in so we can talk. I find this helps so they know what the point of what a DE is and who the instructing who.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,202
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From: In the pasture.
I have recently started to think about instructing. I won't do it until I have an R3 H&N System. They are just soo much $$ considering I already have a HANS to use in my car.
I expect satisfaction and a few 'Code Brown' moments. The Green student with a Corvette or GT3 worries me the most.
I expect satisfaction and a few 'Code Brown' moments. The Green student with a Corvette or GT3 worries me the most.