Insights from HPDE instructors wanted
08-05-2012, 06:35 PM
#31
Drifting
Two things.
Depth of experience is a not an accurate indicator of skill level.
Do not short change the value of the introduction initial dialogue regarding their objectives and previous instructors comments/feedback.
Proceed with extreme caution when your student casually points out the spots on the track where they've spun, gone off or worse case; made off track contact with a "Non-Moving object.
Depth of experience is a not an accurate indicator of skill level.
Do not short change the value of the introduction initial dialogue regarding their objectives and previous instructors comments/feedback.
Proceed with extreme caution when your student casually points out the spots on the track where they've spun, gone off or worse case; made off track contact with a "Non-Moving object.
08-05-2012, 07:17 PM
#32
Three Wheelin'
Make it a fun experience. Start with that. Along the way it's pretty easy to gauge how serious the student is about learning performance driving. I've had a number of students go on to racing and instructing and many more that just want to drive around the track once in awhile for whatever reason.
BTW.....my experience with women students have all been positive. I think they are better listeners.
BTW.....my experience with women students have all been positive. I think they are better listeners.
X200 on making it fun. In my reorient we have a requirement that you have to do HPDC first before coming to a full track day. It's a clinic that does slaloms, skid pad, braking, etc. there is an optional lapping session at the end. This, I think weeds out the folks that are unsure if they want to do it more seriously on a full weekend event.
We also do instructor clinics. I get a lot of it. One thing I learned was that it's OK that you and the student are virtual strangers. I used to have this weird feeling when I was a student and the instructor knew so.much.more than I.
I've also learned to laugh stuff off. Oooops, we blew that corner. So what? We'll get it next time. Maybe I won't even mention it....since there's other things to work on.
08-05-2012, 08:49 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Hi Ross,
It was great working with you Feb 17th of this year. Nice to see you here on RL.
I've been instructing for 10 years now. CDI for the last 2. I agree with a lot of the above, especially re: finding out what the student's goals are 1st thing. Some want to learn how to go fast, some just want to have a nice safe weekend and then go back to commuting.
But if I had to pick just one thing I wish I'd known 10 years ago, it's how much I would learn, and how much I would improve as a driver, as a direct result of instructing others. They say you never really know a subject until you've had to teach it. That's true.
It was great working with you Feb 17th of this year. Nice to see you here on RL.
I've been instructing for 10 years now. CDI for the last 2. I agree with a lot of the above, especially re: finding out what the student's goals are 1st thing. Some want to learn how to go fast, some just want to have a nice safe weekend and then go back to commuting.
But if I had to pick just one thing I wish I'd known 10 years ago, it's how much I would learn, and how much I would improve as a driver, as a direct result of instructing others. They say you never really know a subject until you've had to teach it. That's true.
John, for which group are you CDI?
08-05-2012, 10:50 PM
#36
Rennlist Member
That good drivers do not always make good instructors and Good instructor are not always good drivers, and sometimes neither.
08-05-2012, 11:55 PM
#37
Nordschleife Master
Wow, what a great thread. As a newly-minted instructor, this promises to be good... well it's been pretty good already.
Ross, you did ask to hear from the newer folks (yup, post #7
).
I've had a total of 1 student so far. Over the course of a 3-day weekend, he improved steadily from session to session and it was incredibly rewarding for me to participate and to share that experience with him.
So I'll flip your question around:
There is something that I know now, and that I hope I won't forget with time: Instructing is rewarding and gratifying. I hope that I don't forget it, and that it doesn't become a job.
Ross, you did ask to hear from the newer folks (yup, post #7
).I've had a total of 1 student so far. Over the course of a 3-day weekend, he improved steadily from session to session and it was incredibly rewarding for me to participate and to share that experience with him.
So I'll flip your question around:
If you could have known just one thing that you know now when you started instructing, what would that be?
08-06-2012, 07:47 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
The "KISS" keep it simple principal is very important. Don't over load the student, they can only absorb so much each time out. Each session give them a little more knowledge. Something else to remember, the 2 second rule, men take 2 seconds to respond when they are new to the track driving, woman almost instantly.
08-06-2012, 08:49 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
Was so cool to show up to a Golden Gate Laguna Time Trial circa 1980 and the IMSA GTU champion from a couple years prior was helping out. Without being paid. (He could have even been the CDI for the region, I don't remember.) And hanging about as crew and drivers were guys just back from Le Mans.
So that's always stuck with me. And as I guess I'm now officially one of the "old guys" I'm happy that I'm still included with pretty much all of the DE groups.
08-06-2012, 09:18 PM
#43
The Penguin King
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I didn't realize when I started just how hard instructors work, and more importantly I think I didn't realize how rewarding it was to work with people at any level. From rank beginner to experienced racers, its a thrill to be able to share my passion for the sport, and to help my students improve. I have a great time instructing even when I don't have my car with me.
08-06-2012, 09:37 PM
#44
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And another thing; ride with instructors and learn from their instructing technique.
Such as - Dave Scott brings along a pad and paper to take notes.
Such as - Dave Scott brings along a pad and paper to take notes.
08-06-2012, 09:47 PM
#45
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Biggest thing I wish I knew was that I was never going to be a terribly good instructor. Or more precisely I work well with some students but not with all and i am incapable of adjusting style. Anyone who knows me knows I do not suffer fools or incompetence easily and tend to say what is on my mind. Basically spent five years getting less and less excited about going to DEs to the point where I started to dread another weekend. Quit instructing and now concentrate on Club Racing and having a ball.