She'd been out to our local roadcourse once before (but running the opposite direction), but we went out Saturday for a Porcshe Club driver's ed event. She got an instructor for the entire day and I think that made all the difference. She drove the Firehawk all day, while I drove the Porsche all except the last session (I blew an intercooler hose, and so switched to the Hawk for my last session. Even though they were back to back session the car held up just fine, but it was definitely a difference between the two cars). She progressed nicely through the day, and even got to pass someone on the last session (a big thrill for her). She was hitting the apexes well, and really starting to use the brakes well too. At this point she now really wants some better seats in the car and wants to lower it and put some headers on it.
I think I may have created a monster.

Anyway, anybody got any good suggestions for a reasonably priced seat that will do double duty as a track and street seat. Oh yeah, it also has to fit somone that's 5' tall (the Corbeaus I tried didn't). Plus, it would be nice if it was a reclining/flip forward back seat so we can get the kids in and out of the backseats when I'm driving the car.

It's a fine line we walk with spouses ...

Interested enough to support the hobby, but not so much that it requires support 2 cars!

Yeah, my wife was excited yesterday as she came with in 4.5 seconds of my time on the autocross course this Sunday. I really enjoy taking her racing with me and seeing her have a good time in the car.

Consider yourself lucky. My wife is willing to wrench the car with me, be crew chief, support my hobby and its expenses: she'll even go for a ride as a passenger evry once in a while, but, even though she's a skilled and thoughtful driver, I can't get her to try an event. I'm glad she supports and shares in my interests, but I'd love for her to experience it firsthand.

sweet... there's a couple locally that are pretty competitive... still remember when the wife beat the husband on the day... she actually had FTD... so many people teased the husband, though.

A woman after my own heart! Reminds me of my courtship story of finally meeting my husband..... started talking to him about camshaft profiles while he wrenched on his Scout. A match made in heaven!

Such sweet love stories! My girlfriend is currently in training. She fully supports my hobby and that's one of the best feelings in the world. So far we've been together two years and she still puts up with all my incessant jabbering about cars. She's even been content to sit and watch me work on the car. Just ask Kevin. He's seen the proof (and supplied a folding chair )! I'd love to get her involved more, I'm just taking it easy and not pushing it.

My biggest advice to you (or anyone trying to get someone involved in open track) would be to take them to a PCA event for their first event, and get them an instructor for the full day. My wife had been on track a couple of times before, but it was at regular open track events with no instructors or cones. I think the instructor made the biggest difference, but the PCA cone setup they do on the first day of events has got to be a close second. She felt way more comfortable at this event and learned way more than she had in the previous two events.

At this point in the hobby I'm still more a converted drag racer than an autoXer. I haven't even hit my first event yet. I'd love to get a class or two under my belt before I worry a whole lot about an instructor for her. That being said, believe me, she'll be getting one. =)