race911

Overall training would be welcome. But some of us wouldn't even know or care when/where a PCA DE event was being held anymore. I still promote 911's wherever I have an audience. Thankfully there are many "for profit" (though few if any make any real money) operators running open passing groups with a plethora of dates available locally!

Makes it all worthwhile when I get a thank you note like a did last week from a guy who was becoming more and more confused with each event.

kurt M

Side topic for sure but why not have to re-certify after a set period of time? The guy in the right seat is the most important safety consideration there is in DE. Re cert would be a good time to see that not only are the basics are still being used but to add new or improved skill sets. Blend re-certs in with the existing new instructor training program.

Chris Alvarado

Definitely for the slick shirts. That and it completes my set of run group stickers for the windshield. I decided to not try out for the Pink run group. Yes, one does exist.

todinlaw

my answer is not listed. I did the certification program to provide consistency in PCA instruction which is a missing ingredient. It would be nice from a student point of view if we were more consistent in the approach and the evaluation.

Jay Gratton

Simple, I want to teach others something I am so excited about. Probably the same reason I am a high school teacher and coach too!

Ray S

I did it to give back and share experience in a hobby I love, get lower track fee's, and you forgot a few....

Have more track time and meet new and interesting people who share this common interest

good hands

This is a very good point. When I did the school there was another instructor candidate who was told by his ride along evaluator to throw everything he learned in the classroom out the window. According to him everything they taught in the classroom was worthless. Not a good message from a senior instructor

Chaos

Groupies,Duh

Qwickrick

Recently, I had a newbie student in a 997 GT3 tell me after his second day:

"these were the two best days of my life"

Enough said as to why I instruct?

sbelles

I heard Pete was bringing the beer and grid girls.

sig_a

Train, instruct, coach based on student's experience. Big mistake to expect your student to throw out all he has learned simply to learn anew. For at least the first two session, it's the instructor who needs to do the learning.

hardracing

Exactly.

And that is what we learned in the Certification Class.

Not to mention all the litle things most instructors never think to ask..

Is this YOUR car, or someone else's
How long have you had this car.?
Did you check the Tire Pressure this morning.?
Who works on your car.?
Have you checked the Brake pads recently.?
What are you wanting to get out of this DE Programe.?
Did you get enough sleep last night.?
among many other things.

Most of the time the instructor hops in the car, and says.. ok let's go.

.

DogInBlack

That's when you know that you have given back!

PJorgen

I am surprised to hear that you're not taught to ask these things. I'm not PCA certifed but instruct for Audi Club, HoD and a number of other organizations here in NorCal and we are taught to sit down with the student well beofre going out on track and discuss this sort of thng.

Learning the students goals for the DE really helps in the first session. If he tells you his goal is to be the fastest car on track or to "win" the DE, you know you'll have your hands full.

race911

And even one step further, Bonnie who runs the TEAM organization (not sure if she pops up on our forum here too much) gets us to dialog with the student the week leading up to the event. More than once I've been able to talk a new guy out of the "winning the DE" mindset!