I agree that most instructors are way too wordy on track and end up being very distracting. If you're talking more than 25% of the time you're hurting your students performance. I went through Army and then a few years later Air Force pilot training and the best instructors for me were the quiet, confident, laid back guys so I've always tried to emulate that as an instructor in the air and on the track. Choose your feedback carefully and make it timely because a new student will forget what he did two corners ago. Don't ever let your frustration show or yell unless it's for safety. And remember the number one reason the student is on track is to enjoy it so don't be a dick, it's bad for the sport.

 

First day track experience, I am going to start talking before the engine starts and not shut up. I will know everything about you before you start the engine. Its my life in your hands, i will be one constant download. Two spins on your first outing you were not under control. Learn the line FIRST, braking points, how to break, how to visualize turn in markers, apex, turn exit, location of corner workers, what the flags mean, no the white flag is not the last lap! So much to download you will not learn it all. And you will love every second of it or i did not do my job.
Give Nasa florida a try. We even have a Daytona full course event scheduled this year, not recomended for first timers.
Sorry back to lurking now this subject hit a soft spot for me.

 

Man that was a awesome wright up My first time out at the track was about the same, I have gotten better but still not great I just do it for the fun and the thrill

 

Not S2000, but I hope it keeps you from hitting the wall someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nynSZmkw9wM

 

Hey I'm looking into doing an event through MVP this June at Road Atlanta and am curious on the roll bar rule. Do they require us to have them on our cars or can they run without? Just curious on that and if they had classroom time to go over the course? I think it was brought up earlier but never answered. I am excited to try RA and have done two weekends at a local track so I want to try something new. It is a blast and a huge learning experience and you will see improvement the more you do it. Great write up.

 

Tama05, contact MVP for factory roll bar question. I suspect if your car has stock seats/belts you will be approved with factory roll bar. MVP runs Road Atlanta a lot and they put on a good event. NASA allows a stock S2000 to run Road Atlanta so most likely MVP will also but you should call or email them first.

 

^Thanks for the heads up on this.

 

MVP is pretty clear on this. Cars with factory roll protection are fine (S2000 and Boxter), but other convertibles will need aftermarket roll protection.

 

And thanks for the comments everyone... I've been tossing the idea of returning to the track sometime soon - this time to a lower speed, less technical track. It might have to wait though, as I think I have a problem with my differential. You can tell in the video I posted, but I'm getting very heavy vibration/juddering when putting the power down in hard corners. It sounds like the LSD is not functioning properly. I've been told a properly working stock S2000 LSD should not make any sound. Mine definitely makes a lot of sound when working hard and it's got me a bit worried.

For the mechanically inclined, check out my video and give me your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.

 

Could not agree more. Only downside is that the instructors who won't shut up and critique to hell's end just think you aren't doing anything.