THSCC Forums

Also - updated the instructor list and removed the names of the event chairs and the autox vp's - who will all actually be available to instruct but who will also have duties other than instructing.

Trying to remember from last year. Was lunch included in the price of the school? I'm sure it was but can't for the life of me remember.

It was.

I will be there to help setup on Friday as long as I can find someone to look after Mocha.

- dow

Got you down for setup already, Brian. Be there as close to noon as you can.

Cosby - the info you're looking for is available here:

http://www.thscc.com/autocross/events/2 ... 8info.html

Aren't you an event chair? Shouldn't you know this already?

Kevin, can you make sure we have course maps for everyone.

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Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!

Is that a joke Marcus?

I think novices will do better if they have to learn how to read a course without a map. Not all autocrosses have them.

Simon

ok, a few instructing tips that I've mostly picked up from others...


Be enthusiastic - even if you're with the student who still can't find his way through the course after 4 runs.

Always point out something he did that was GOOD - before you provide the constructive criticism.

If your student has skills, but is just not pushing hard enough, take him for a ride (preferably in YOUR car) and show him that yes, you CAN go faster through the Chicago box (but try not to hit all the cones in the process).

Always be ready to say "Ease off and ooopen the wheel..."

Make sure you don't just tell him what he's doing right or wrong - see if he can point it out himself. And make sure he knows that questions are welcome - and if you can't answer some of them, find out the answers asap.

Try to stop talking when you're the 2nd or 3rd car in line to run; let him get focused on what he needs to do.


Anybody else got anything?

There will either be

a) no course maps (my preference - I HATE course maps)

b) one course map posted on the side of the bus or a table or something

c) whatever Marcus comes up with


We're planning to get them enough course walks that they have no excuse for not being able to visualize the course.

Nope, I just thought it would be easier after their run to show them where they are making mistakes. I like to look at them right after a run if I am having trouble with a course. It helps me visualize where I did things right and wrong and commit them to memory.

I guess it might be harder for a noob to look at a map and figure out where that is on the course.

_________________
Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!

A few of my favorites...

1) Make sure they keep both hands on the wheel. Tell them if you aren't going to shift why is your hand on the shifter? Nobody can drive better with one hand.

2) Seating position. The "pimp" lay-back doesn't cut it. Get them to sit as upright as you can.

3) On/Off Switch. The gas and brake pedals don't work well this way. Teach them not to stab either one.

4) Leave them with a postive impression. Telling somone they suck (even though they may) doesn't help them at all. Make sure they know seat time, seat time, seat time is the key to getting good at autocross.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

It isn't?

- dow "hackmaster'

It is for me... well, sometimes. Now that I have enough power to spin more than one tire at a time, I have to be careful.

Whadda ya mean?!? I drive very well with one hand on the shifter!

Other than the obvious, looking ahead, the single biggest thing that I learned when riding with Shawn at my first event was that the brakes can be used a lot harder in an auto-x environment than on the street.

Also, focusing on the exit of a turn gets you through a turn a lot quicker than just seeing how fast you can fly into one.

Lastly, get on the gas earlier than you think coming out of turns, especially if you drive a Honda. Some engines have to be "wound-up" to achieve any type of positive result.

Quote:
3) On/Off Switch. The gas and brake pedals don't work well this way. Teach them not to stab either one.


Crap, and I've been trying to add tire just so I can keep doing this.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.