R&T article: The Solution To Racing Instructor Deaths? Get Them Out Of The Car
09-04-2015, 09:50 PM
#16
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Chin's flexible policy regarding ride-alongs works very well because of the overall system Chin has created, which includes detailed drivers meetings which set the right tone for the day, morning warm-up sessions, quality instruction, high standards for promotions, run group status being specific to each track, instructors not being able to solo Green students (instead needing to coach them towards full Yellow or Blue solo status), close monitoring of what's happening on track and effectively dealing with any issues that are observed, etc.
By contrast, organizations which impose a lot of rules sometimes pay a price in terms of impaired driver development and channeling exuberance into aspects of driving which aren't covered by the rules (e.g., I've seen evidence that passing anywhere with a point can lead to a lower incident rate for experienced drivers, as compared to passing only in straights, perhaps due to less frustration). Adding 'rules' doesn't always make things safer ...
By contrast, organizations which impose a lot of rules sometimes pay a price in terms of impaired driver development and channeling exuberance into aspects of driving which aren't covered by the rules (e.g., I've seen evidence that passing anywhere with a point can lead to a lower incident rate for experienced drivers, as compared to passing only in straights, perhaps due to less frustration). Adding 'rules' doesn't always make things safer ...
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-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
09-05-2015, 04:40 PM
#17
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Chin's flexible policy regarding ride-alongs works very well because of the overall system Chin has created, which includes detailed drivers meetings which set the right tone for the day, morning warm-up sessions, quality instruction, high standards for promotions, run group status being specific to each track, instructors not being able to solo Green students (instead needing to coach them towards full Yellow or Blue solo status), close monitoring of what's happening on track and effectively dealing with any issues that are observed, etc.
By contrast, organizations which impose a lot of rules sometimes pay a price in terms of impaired driver development and channeling exuberance into aspects of driving which aren't covered by the rules (e.g., I've seen evidence that passing anywhere with a point can lead to a lower incident rate for experienced drivers, as compared to passing only in straights, perhaps due to less frustration). Adding 'rules' doesn't always make things safer ...
By contrast, organizations which impose a lot of rules sometimes pay a price in terms of impaired driver development and channeling exuberance into aspects of driving which aren't covered by the rules (e.g., I've seen evidence that passing anywhere with a point can lead to a lower incident rate for experienced drivers, as compared to passing only in straights, perhaps due to less frustration). Adding 'rules' doesn't always make things safer ...
09-06-2015, 11:43 AM
#18
I came up through PCA and have been instructing for 10 years with them so I have certain biases in favor of their approach. I have also run and instructed with other programs and I have taken a few Barber and other courses over the years. So, based on that, I think :
1. The comments over remote radio in the Skippy program were virtually useless to me. I'm sitting in a noisy formula car, racers going by, trying to decipher cryptic comments summing up my entire lap over a hand held radio through my helmet, with a max of maybe 30 seconds before I'm back on track.
2. Much more useful were discussions with instructor/observers after the session.
3. Safety protocols vary widely among programs and among events. The worst driving I have ever seen, leading to a big time crash of a brand new and very expensive race car, took place at a high level, exclusive and prestigious program - and everybody there knew that the final crash would be highly likely if not inevitable.
3. It is fair to say that when declining enrollments threatened the very existence of the for profit programs and, to a lesser extent, the car club DE programs, there was a lot of pressure to ease up on students and solo drivers. But I can't say that there was a correlation with serious incidents or deaths - maybe, but there is no data.
4. PCA type extended passing in the upper two run groups seems to have been successful. Although some slower drivers are still hesitant to allow the pass in the curve, they need to be comfortable and the faster cars just need to wait.
5. The ability and willingness of a program to send a driver home is critical. We don't need to be ***** but we need to be willing to do so, and endure the threats and screams of protest, when the need is apparent.
1. The comments over remote radio in the Skippy program were virtually useless to me. I'm sitting in a noisy formula car, racers going by, trying to decipher cryptic comments summing up my entire lap over a hand held radio through my helmet, with a max of maybe 30 seconds before I'm back on track.
2. Much more useful were discussions with instructor/observers after the session.
3. Safety protocols vary widely among programs and among events. The worst driving I have ever seen, leading to a big time crash of a brand new and very expensive race car, took place at a high level, exclusive and prestigious program - and everybody there knew that the final crash would be highly likely if not inevitable.
3. It is fair to say that when declining enrollments threatened the very existence of the for profit programs and, to a lesser extent, the car club DE programs, there was a lot of pressure to ease up on students and solo drivers. But I can't say that there was a correlation with serious incidents or deaths - maybe, but there is no data.
4. PCA type extended passing in the upper two run groups seems to have been successful. Although some slower drivers are still hesitant to allow the pass in the curve, they need to be comfortable and the faster cars just need to wait.
5. The ability and willingness of a program to send a driver home is critical. We don't need to be ***** but we need to be willing to do so, and endure the threats and screams of protest, when the need is apparent.
09-06-2015, 03:37 PM
#19
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My feeling is that beginners need an instructor in the right seat. Our feedback on what the car is doing in real time helps them understand what it is we are talking about and what they may read in books on the subject. Instructors being in the right seat is also a calming influence for a newbie who is on sensory overload their first time driving on the track.
09-08-2015, 09:14 PM
#22
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3. Safety protocols vary widely among programs and among events. The worst driving I have ever seen, leading to a big time crash of a brand new and very expensive race car, took place at a high level, exclusive and prestigious program - and everybody there knew that the final crash would be highly likely if not inevitable.
5. The ability and willingness of a program to send a driver home is critical. We don't need to be ***** but we need to be willing to do so, and endure the threats and screams of protest, when the need is apparent.
5. The ability and willingness of a program to send a driver home is critical. We don't need to be ***** but we need to be willing to do so, and endure the threats and screams of protest, when the need is apparent.
Most program organizers and leadership are unwilling to do the latter, even they observe and sometimes even catalog the former...
Drivers often indicate, by a recognizable pattern of behavior on-track and off, that they are likely going to have an incident.
Organizers MUST MAKE SURE that they don't hesitate to preserve event safety by trusting their gut and following through on policy and protocol.
09-08-2015, 11:47 PM
#24
I have been a PCA instructor for over 20 years.
It's all about culture.
If you want to come to a DE, and learn how to drive, and respect the consequences that you are accepting, then people like me will strap their tired butts into your right seat, and share their experience with you.
If you want to be an A**hole, then there are a lot of other venues that will take your money... its a business, after all.
It's all about culture.
If you want to come to a DE, and learn how to drive, and respect the consequences that you are accepting, then people like me will strap their tired butts into your right seat, and share their experience with you.
If you want to be an A**hole, then there are a lot of other venues that will take your money... its a business, after all.
09-09-2015, 09:26 AM
#25
Posting on social media that they are going to the track for the first time and they are going to drive FLAT OUT. Boasting on the paddock to their classmates about some spectacular, but unsafe thing that they did. Offering to run in the next highest run group w/o experience to resolve a scheduling conflict. Etc...
It is usually painfully obvious when compared to the students there to learn and who are concerned about being safe. I imagine there is a racer equivalent pattern as well.
-Mike
It is usually painfully obvious when compared to the students there to learn and who are concerned about being safe. I imagine there is a racer equivalent pattern as well.
-Mike
09-09-2015, 04:10 PM
#27
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09-09-2015, 09:06 PM
#28
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Several ways. The off-track patterns of behavior that indicate a propensity for incidents include entitlement, argumentative and closed-minded attitudes, excessive intensity, boastful and self-promoting statements, asking for exceptions repeatedly without supplying or demonstrating competence or reason, etc.
On-track behaviors include lack of consistency, excessive and large variations in throttle, brake or steering applications, spins or offs, not listening or arguing with the instructor or pit out person, blowing flags, speeding in the pit lane and paddock, disorientation, lack of spatial awareness, violating event rules, particularly passing rules, etc.
On-track behaviors include lack of consistency, excessive and large variations in throttle, brake or steering applications, spins or offs, not listening or arguing with the instructor or pit out person, blowing flags, speeding in the pit lane and paddock, disorientation, lack of spatial awareness, violating event rules, particularly passing rules, etc.
09-09-2015, 11:25 PM
#29
Here are a few indicators we've seen for high risk drivers - don't laugh -
Blowing the horn while lined up at pit out when the car in front doesn't pull out smartly.
Pounding the steering wheel in frustration at the same point, even before the cars start to move.
Screaming into helmet when driver in front fails to give pass signal fast enough.
Not responding to instructor comments until the instructor commands loudly to PIT NOW OR YOU'RE DONE!
Blowing the horn while lined up at pit out when the car in front doesn't pull out smartly.
Pounding the steering wheel in frustration at the same point, even before the cars start to move.
Screaming into helmet when driver in front fails to give pass signal fast enough.
Not responding to instructor comments until the instructor commands loudly to PIT NOW OR YOU'RE DONE!
09-10-2015, 07:19 AM
#30
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Here are a few indicators we've seen for high risk drivers - don't laugh -
Blowing the horn while lined up at pit out when the car in front doesn't pull out smartly.
Pounding the steering wheel in frustration at the same point, even before the cars start to move.
Screaming into helmet when driver in front fails to give pass signal fast enough.
Not responding to instructor comments until the instructor commands loudly to PIT NOW OR YOU'RE DONE!
Blowing the horn while lined up at pit out when the car in front doesn't pull out smartly.
Pounding the steering wheel in frustration at the same point, even before the cars start to move.
Screaming into helmet when driver in front fails to give pass signal fast enough.
Not responding to instructor comments until the instructor commands loudly to PIT NOW OR YOU'RE DONE!
