Michael Stewart, PCA 'racer' hits another car (again!)
10-18-2013, 11:21 PM
#136
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If you see you're student gets into the PSM, it's the same as a spin and should be treated as such by the instructor. The student is still in control of the car, the PSM just saves them from the spin. As instructors, I think we can get a little lax and allow people to drive a little faster and closer to the limit in a new car than we would have allowed in an older car.
10-18-2013, 11:27 PM
#137
I'm in....
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I would argue that's a good thing. In a 930, stepping out of the envelope will likely get you in trouble. As long as it's treated as such, in a 997 it's a learning experience. I agree though that it can give a false sense of security because there are some mistakes that it won't save your *** from.
10-18-2013, 11:53 PM
#139
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I think the original topic has about played itself out anyway unless someone else wants to come forward with more examples of PCA racers behaving badly. 
10-19-2013, 10:11 AM
#140
Burning Brakes
My 2 cents. This guy is more common then you guys know. There are guys like this driving all over the country.
The problem is that cars are too fast today and the learning curves are too steep. I have said it for years and as an insurer of HPDE Physical Damage/ long time racer/instructor I can tell you guys it’s getting worse not better. I think that we all have to reevaluate how drivers are promoted through the ranks . Its way to easy to get signed off to solo ,it’s too easy to become an “instructor” and its way to easy to get a race license. I have personally seen a guy that crashed during a racing school get his license….ridiculous. Ask your local sanctioning body how often they don’t give a racing license to somebody going through there school? Not often We all have seen instructors that can’t even drive the right line themselves, how can they teach it if they can’t do it?
I know it’s a fine line for our sanctioning bodies. They want to keep participants happy and let them move through the ranks as fast as they want but if people are crashing more because of this then they doing more harm than good to their events. Eventually less people will partake. Let’s face it crashing is be bad for business. The entire mindset for HPDE and racing licensing has to change . It has to be a privilege to move up through the ranks based on one’s ability and willingness to get better. It’s not a right. Today street cars are faster than race cars. I myself have a street car that is faster than my 996 Cup Car . How freaking scary is that ???
We all have to re think where the sport is heading and how to make it safer. Its starts at the ground level with much better education and much stricter driver ability requirements.
The problem is that cars are too fast today and the learning curves are too steep. I have said it for years and as an insurer of HPDE Physical Damage/ long time racer/instructor I can tell you guys it’s getting worse not better. I think that we all have to reevaluate how drivers are promoted through the ranks . Its way to easy to get signed off to solo ,it’s too easy to become an “instructor” and its way to easy to get a race license. I have personally seen a guy that crashed during a racing school get his license….ridiculous. Ask your local sanctioning body how often they don’t give a racing license to somebody going through there school? Not often We all have seen instructors that can’t even drive the right line themselves, how can they teach it if they can’t do it?
I know it’s a fine line for our sanctioning bodies. They want to keep participants happy and let them move through the ranks as fast as they want but if people are crashing more because of this then they doing more harm than good to their events. Eventually less people will partake. Let’s face it crashing is be bad for business. The entire mindset for HPDE and racing licensing has to change . It has to be a privilege to move up through the ranks based on one’s ability and willingness to get better. It’s not a right. Today street cars are faster than race cars. I myself have a street car that is faster than my 996 Cup Car . How freaking scary is that ???
We all have to re think where the sport is heading and how to make it safer. Its starts at the ground level with much better education and much stricter driver ability requirements.
Thank you for your post!
10-19-2013, 10:47 AM
#141
Rennlist Member
I think part of the problem is that some drivers are too eager to go racing therefore cut corners to get there. They can drive reasonably quick, but haven't developed the situational awareness that comes with lots of seat time and experience. I thought I was hot stuff when I showed up for my first Club Race in 2000 at Summit Point. Got humbled really quick in the first practice session by the likes of Scotto, Burger, and Savenor when they were driving their old F cars.
10-21-2013, 05:51 PM
#142
Burning Brakes
Back on topic. I was run off the track 3 times at Hallett. Twice by the same driver. I spoke with him and lunch and was perfectly clear. This was a freebie, next time I would let him hit me. He got the message. The third incident was at the end of the day but a short message to the driver cleared it up. Some listen some just need to be shown a lesson.
10-21-2013, 05:54 PM
#143
Three Wheelin'
Back on topic. I was run off the track 3 times at Hallett. Twice by the same driver. I spoke with him and lunch and was perfectly clear. This was a freebie, next time I would let him hit me. He got the message. The third incident was at the end of the day but a short message to the driver cleared it up. Some listen some just need to be shown a lesson.
10-21-2013, 06:11 PM
#144
Rennlist Member
I think part of the problem is that some drivers are too eager to go racing therefore cut corners to get there. They can drive reasonably quick, but haven't developed the situational awareness that comes with lots of seat time and experience. I thought I was hot stuff when I showed up for my first Club Race in 2000 at Summit Point. Got humbled really quick in the first practice session by the likes of Scotto, Burger, and Savenor when they were driving their old F cars.
10-21-2013, 06:19 PM
#145
Rennlist Member
Back on topic. I was run off the track 3 times at Hallett. Twice by the same driver. I spoke with him and lunch and was perfectly clear. This was a freebie, next time I would let him hit me. He got the message. The third incident was at the end of the day but a short message to the driver cleared it up. Some listen some just need to be shown a lesson.
10-21-2013, 07:01 PM
#147
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Back on topic. I was run off the track 3 times at Hallett. Twice by the same driver. I spoke with him and lunch and was perfectly clear. This was a freebie, next time I would let him hit me. He got the message. The third incident was at the end of the day but a short message to the driver cleared it up. Some listen some just need to be shown a lesson.
10-21-2013, 09:24 PM
#148
Agreed but another part of the problem seems to be the lack of respect towards other racers and their cars. Lack of remorse and limited talent are a dangerous combo.
10-22-2013, 10:26 AM
#149
Rennlist Member
I moved quickly from DE to club racing, 2 years, I have run 30 races now and hopefully have not pulled to many bonehead moves. I don't see swift progression as a problem if the person is comfortable in traffic and the close proximity of other cars. As long as you know your capability's and drive within them you can coexist with the faster cars on the track and not be a hindrance or unsafe. I see it more as an attitude problem. An example of this is when I was at Watkins Glen. In the Test and Tune all of the race cars were grouped together. Letter cars with cup cars ect. I saw a group of cup cars coming up fast going into the heel of the boot . I let the first 2 through on the inside and proceeded to turn in for the apex low and behold the third car decided to shoot the apex at the same time. I just caught him there out of the corner of my eye and did not turn in, missing his door by inches. This was the first day of practice and that move was ill advised by the cup car. I was in a much slower car and he did not know me or my skills. I guess a pass there was of so high importance to him that he would risk an incident to get by. Also he did not respect that I had a right to be there. This is a hobby and I cannot understand the impatience some people show on the track.
10-22-2013, 11:19 AM
#150
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An example of this is when I was at Watkins Glen. In the Test and Tune all of the race cars were grouped together. Letter cars with cup cars ect. I saw a group of cup cars coming up fast going into the heel of the boot . I let the first 2 through on the inside and proceeded to turn in for the apex low and behold the third car decided to shoot the apex at the same time. I just caught him there out of the corner of my eye and did not turn in, missing his door by inches. This was the first day of practice and that move was ill advised by the cup car. I was in a much slower car and he did not know me or my skills. I guess a pass there was of so high importance to him that he would risk an incident to get by. Also he did not respect that I had a right to be there. This is a hobby and I cannot understand the impatience some people show on the track.
