Sir5n

I hired Jade Bueford last spring at Watkins Glen. I really wanted to focus on my line, braking and turn in as I’ve never really had any instruction on this track.

It was beneficial however his instruction sounded a lot what I would say when sitting in the right seat. IE; eyes, where ar you looking, hard initial breaking, and one turn in early on this one comment.

$200USD for 30 minutes and I felt it was good value.

I’m wondering if anyone has hired a coach and what they’re experience was.

Keith

Cyril

A coach in the right seat is a good start but once you have the line, vision, smoothness and a good rythme you will have to work with data.
Usually a Pro coach will not seat on your right anyway.

987part

Follow a fast guy and do like him.

Get a racer in the passenger seat, they tend to be faster and will give you tips.

Pro racers watch data cause they re top of their game and looking for tenths of seconds.

Major problem is most of the time behind the wheel and car setup. Not a matter of data.

Im not saying data are overkill but you dont need data to be fast when you re amateur...

Sir5n

Thanks for the input guys but I was wondering if anyone else has hired a genuine pro driver for in car instruction. Racers are...after all racers not trained instructors. Helping people learn is more complex than simply teaching.

Francois, I’m aware you’ve been through the PCA system but that’s not licensed at this time. No one in their right mind would hop in a car with someone looking to go a few tenths faster. That’s what data and engineers are for.

To be honest my session with Jade was at about 70% speed because I told him that from the outset. That’s a rule with CASC while instructing. It’s more about execution than looking for tenths. Have to say that it’s really hard to listen to instruction while being on track with other cars at speed. I forgot about that and will keep that in mind in the future.

So, to clarify;
Has anyone had a pro ride along and added value to their on track performance? I know I’ve been in the right seat and benefited from the experience.

Just wondering if it worked the other way around.

thx

RickBetterley

I’ve used several different pro coaches and highly recommended it.
The big insight for me was when I realized how a good coach figured out what I needed and used that to make me a better driver.
For example, I have a hard time delaying my initial brake application. One coach used a technique of delaying my turn in point, allowing me to see further through a corner, giving me additional confidence to delay. A few laps of that then start moving back to the original turn in and - problem solved.
That to me illustrates what capable pro coaches can do - use the right techniques for that particular driver.
Now, I could be a lot better driver than I am, but a pro coach gets me further along than I have found from following faster drivers/self teaching/fellow instructor/racer ride alongs.
A pro coach is to an advanced driver as an instructor is to a green or yellow/blue novice.
(I would love to find a pro coach to work with me at Tremblant sometime)
Hope this helps
Oh, and lots of coaches aren’t anything more than racers that are trying to fund their Racing. The best are wonderful teachers.
And, buy a whole day at least. 30 minutes barely scratches the surface.

Sir5n

That’s what I was hoping for, thanks. I found it worthwhile as well. Jade was of great great value.
Oh and your coach just helped another student.

thanks Rick and that coach!

AWDGuy

I'll attend a 3 or 4 day school at least once every couple of years to get different perspective and tips. I've never walked away from those schools thinking I wasted my money, in fact its quite the opposite. i always learn something new as getting a different perspective always teaches me something I didn't know before.

Best thing you can do is check the ego at the door, and allow yourself to learn.

"There are two things no man will admit he cannot do well: drive and make love"

RickBetterley

To give credit where it is certainly due, the coach is Scott Leder from NJ, a very capable Cayman racer, genuinely nice guy, and a good match for my personality.
If I had any brains at all I’d get a lot more coaching.

Sir5n

Haha Rick! I should as well. I spend too much time in the right seat with CASC not to see the value in that. Connecting with a top tier coach makes communication fun and easy. Attending a school is a great suggestion as well, thanks. Perhaps in a different type of car in order to keep it fresh.

Keith

curtisr

The benefits of a coach is not unlike that of a lawyer sitting next to you in court.

911 Rod

Not sure I see the value in a 1 hour lesson. (Not that it would hurt)

In that time the instructor could help you dial in the corners for a particular track I guess.

To really advance your skills I think you need to be taught technique that you can apply to similar corners. This would take many hours and be taught on and off the track.

Or maybe I'm cheap and think the cost is a bit much because I've had semi pro drivers come out with me and they didn't charge me a penny.

Sir5n

Mr. Turtles

Sir5n

breljohn

Hiring a pro coach is the best $/time shaved on your lap times mod