Well gregg is fresh out of Summit Point Instructor School and he passed, they gave him the signature red shirt and he is ready to get in with one you guys out there

Great job gregg! Great to have an S2000 owner out there.

 

Excellent! This rocks! Congratulations, Gregg!!

- Chris

 

Thank you, Alberto. I was going to post about this today since I was busy partying last night (OK--sleeping on jfys2k's couch) until 4am. Here's the new addition to my wardrobe:

The clinic yesterday was for existing instructors as well as the 5-10 of us newbies and was broken down into three distinct sections:

• Skidpad--where we learned methodology, how to control the BSR skidpad cars from the passenger side, and most importantly, how to get a student to respond to you.
  
• Car control/correcting in case of an off-track excursion--at the Jefferson Circuit (the 1-mile, extremely technical road course) we were placed in the passenger seat for three exercises. The first was to learn when, as an instructor, to intercede, perhaps placing a hand on the steering wheel to demonstrate a point to a student. The second consisted of driving the police-package Caprice completely around the circuit from the passenger seat. I need to learn how to manipulate steering, gas and brake as well as manage over- and under-steer while sitting in the right front seat. What a challenge! Finally, we were trained how to deal with a car and student who gets into trouble and goes off-course...how to (re)gain control of the car and of the student. This was by far the most challenging and scary part of the day. What seems so instinctive from the driver's seat is very difficult to apply when in the passenger seat. You must not only anticipate what the car and the student are going to do but get the student to respond to your instruction and save lives and sheetmetal.
  
• Basic instruction--we went onto the main Summit Point course to perform two exercises. First, was the initial introductory laps for a student where (for those that have been there) the instructor will commonly take the first two or so laps in the morning to explain the line and braking points, point out flag stations, and stress the need for smoothness. Next we did basic instruction of a student, critiquing and helping a driver as they take the course like a Group 1 (not advanced) driver would.

If there is one thing I experienced a lot of during the day was intimidation and fear. It's far easier to talk about what to do when you're in the driver's seat doing it or in the paddock afterwards than while you're sitting in the passenger seat, watching where the car is pointed, where the student has their eyes, what the student's stress and concentration levels are, where the other cars on the track are, and what the flag stations are currently showing. I have new respect for what all of the instructors must do to put their lives on the line with us patrons. When they sit down in the car and shake your hand they have no idea what your abilities and mindset are. Sometimes the driver isn't the only one driving blind and it takes a ton of courage to be out there and be able to verbalize what you want the driver to do.

I plan to be out at the 3/1 FATT not as a driver but wearing the shirt. As my first event I plan on doubling up with other instructors for the day as I really don't feel comfortable putting a student's life (Yeah--even you guys) 100% in my hands yet. That will change in short order I'm sure, but understand that I am in no way prepared yet to handle a student in a car w/ the S2000's potential and have that student come away having gained something from the experience. I'll probably be sticking to the more mundane sedans to start. Sorry guys..it's for your safety and mine.

But if all goes well, I may be out driving during the lunch-time instructor session if someone wants a ride.

 

Me, me pick me! Just no agricultural excursions, oh what the hell, one of those too

 

congrats gregg! Sounds very cool, and I'd imagine you're gonna get to drive some nice cars now eh?

 

Way to go Gregg! Now how 'bout an S2000 only day at Summit.

 

Congrats!........Do they have a bar at the track Gregg?

 

I'm gonna be working on it (though we'd probably end up at the Jefferson circuit). At this point I think I'm gonna talk w/ my contact at the ITRCA, who I saw for the first time in months karting tonight, and maybe we can get a large joint event together.

And yes, John...they do sell beer at the track, just not past 1pm.

 

Congratualtions man - that is wonderful. Are you going to wear that shirt to all our future drives?!

I definitely want a lunch time ride - you're still expected to hang out with us now that you've become a "suit"

 

Alright Gregg!!! That's incredible that you progressed so quickly. Good luck driving from the passenger seat. Of course, my wife seems to have no problem driving from the passenger seat....