[GM01SS]

I am considering going thru a Instructor training school with my local BMW club. Just wondering who here is a instructor for Open track events, and any down side to instructing?

I am VERY new to this side of open tracking, but really enjoy it

Comments?

Thanks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[CMC #37]

I find instructing quite rewarding! It is so cool to see someone go from knowing very little about driving their car to experiencing the rewards of mastering technique. I would go for it. I think you as an instructor will learn quite a bit just sitting in that seat. Sometimes you get a student that will show you something new that you can use in your repetoire. I had a student like that not too long ago at Thunderhill - he was 17 and had been racing karts since he was an embryo. He was driving a V6 third gen like a bat out of hell! He wanted to go racing big cars, however, CMC cars were "too slow." (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The communication devices are very good. I use some hand signals because the SCCA Street school at Thunderhill I teach does not have these devices.

Another thing that makes instructing easier is the organization running the event. I have had the pleasure of instructing the SCCA street school, which is run by good SCCA folks (they adopted me even though I am a NASA gal because I practically live at the track there). Fortunately I have some seniority there and if something is going bad I can get it handled quickly. The NCRC is a great organization to teach for as the instructors are hand-picked and the organizers have taken the best of the track events here in California and refined them to an awesome quality level. Both organizations have good classroom "download" sessions after track sessions - that is also a key to a safe and fun time as instructors and stewards communicate to the download instructor what tendencies they saw on the track that need to be corrected.

As far as handling the different types of students... I find that most of them are primed to listen and follow instruction. With new students I usually tell them not to try and impress me with speed because they won't. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) The worst student is one that goes too fast and does not listen. As an instructor you need to be firm with this type and pull them in the hot pits for a talking to. Don't hesitate to pull any of them in the hot pits if they scare you or do something that could be dangerous if they continue that way. It is important to know what the student's goals and problem areas are before you get going so you can tell them what you will be working on in the session. There's lots more, however, I should write a book instead of wearing out your eyes here! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)