Originally Posted by Veloce Raptor

I can't speak for other coaches. But my experiences have been really good. I find that the folks who hire serious coaches )or at least th efolks who hire me) tend to be a self-selecting group. They have come to realize that the driver is the biggest performance variable, and improving the driver is the biggest performance mod. They have swallowed the humble pie required to hire someone theoretically better than themselves, to help them get better. I have not had any coaching client try to impress me (they can't) nor try to scare me (I already am ). Nor have I had any coaching client simply do zero % of what I suggest. Some folks adapt better than others. Some climb out of their comfort zone better than others. And thus, for some, the learning/improvement curve is steeper than others. I have had one client who I was unable to improve, but subsequently others have helped him, and I am gratified that his driving is now on par with what I thought his potential to be.

In short, I have never had a client like the camera car.

Originally Posted by bassam

The guy in the video is a friend and a very cool guy for a 60 plus year old person. I'm not going to defend his driving habits and he knows that what he's doing is wrong, it's just he can't change it. His "instructor" was poking fun at him among other "friends" behind his back that weekend. So give the guy a break, it's only a DE and I'm sure they had enough black flags that day to stop anybody from endangering others.

Originally Posted by russo

I must respectfully disagree with your statement that the instructor was talking behind his back. It was common knowledge to him what the instructor was trying to teach him. In defense of the instructor, he was racking his brain out in figuring out a way to reach him and to consequently change his bad habits. Furthermore, as previously written by another friend, the instructor attempted to talk to the driver in the presence of his wife as a last resort to see if he could get through.
The black flag issue was a matter, that I believe, could have been a recipe for disaster. The speeds in many sections at COTA are very fast, and in many instances, cars did not see those blacks flags and blew right by cars that were at a standstill. Furthermore, COTA, unlike some tracks in Texas, does not have much run off. Consequently, any mistake would surely, at a minimum, be a write off of the car. You had to be there to understand the dynamics and the concern expressed in the many preceding posts.

Originally Posted by russo

I must respectfully disagree with your statement that the instructor was talking behind his back. It was common knowledge to him what the instructor was trying to teach him. In defense of the instructor, he was racking his brain out in figuring out a way to reach him and to consequently change his bad habits. Furthermore, as previously written by another friend, the instructor attempted to talk to the driver in the presence of his wife as a last resort to see if he could get through.
The black flag issue was a matter, that I believe, could have been a recipe for disaster. The speeds in many sections at COTA are very fast, and in many instances, cars did not see those blacks flags and blew right by cars that were at a standstill. Furthermore, COTA, unlike some tracks in Texas, does not have much run off. Consequently, any mistake would surely, at a minimum, be a write off of the car. You had to be there to understand the dynamics and the concern expressed in the many preceding posts.

Originally Posted by bassam

Obviously the "instructor" failed miserably to reach him.

Originally Posted by Manifold

It's possible that the instructor did a poor job, but not necessarily. Some students just won't listen to any instructor, in which case they can't be permitted to drive. And some students will "play nice" to get soloed, then go out of control when solo; in that case, they need to be black flagged and brought in for a talk. We can't really judge this particular instructor without knowing the details, but we know for sure that this student is a terrible driver, to the extent of posing a danger to himself and others.

Originally Posted by bassam

The driver in question was solo anyway all weekend, he didn't need to trick anybody so he can go solo, Remember that this is not a PCA event. I can assume that by hiring an instructor he admitted to himself he needed help but still finished the weekend driving the way he does. So it is very safe to say there was a failure of communication between the 2.

Originally Posted by Manifold

Bottom line is that a driver like that shouldn't be allowed solo on the track. Period. If his instructor/coach didn't have authority to keep him off the track, the event organizers should have done so - give him a refund if necessary. And BTW, do you really want to keep defending this driver?

Originally Posted by bassam

here are the rules and he didn't break any. I'm sure they had plenty of black flags. And yes, he is a friend.
http://www.mvptracktime.com/id67.html

Originally Posted by Manifold

"Any questionable issues will be left to the prudent judgment of MVP Track Time, the instructors, and/or the track stewards."

Originally Posted by bassam

and obviously there was none, he drove till sunday.