They never let me do the new-car stuff, because I’d write “BUY A CAMRY SE AND GO TO DRIVING SCHOOL” on every page. They did, however, let me write about something that’s very important to me, and they let me bring some friends along.
On page 18 you’ll find “On The Brink”, an opinion piece I wrote about the hazards of on-track driver training. R&T’s senior editor Josh Condon wanted to get some other opinions and I’m pleased to say that Peter Krause, Aaron Povoledo, and Ross Bentley all graciously acceded to my request for additional comments. (The article also includes an outstanding quote from BMWCCA’s Bill Wade, whom I don’t know personally.) When you can get three people of that caliber to share a page with you, it’s humbling and gratifying all at the same time.
If you want to read something else that I’ve written about the subject, you can find a previous article at R&T online. It’s a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I’d rather not be killed teaching someone else how to drive safely on-track — but I’m not going to let the possibility of that stop me from teaching, no matter what happens.
“They never let me do the new-car stuff, because I’d write “BUY A CAMRY SE AND GO TO DRIVING SCHOOL” on every page.”
And they’re probably right. You don’t take your kitchen appliances to a race track, in this case… the fridge.
Although, I enjoyed a lot when you took the 4 banger fridge to the track.
I’ve read your articles, and spent some time thinking about the questions you raise.
One key thought is your phrase: “There are two ways to look at the risk of instructing: you can take the position that you’re along for the ride (the driver is ‘controlling’ the situation) or that the instructor is in ‘control’ of the situation.” There is only one right answer here, very well reinforced by the HPDE Instructor Manifesto written by Ross Bentley too. Instructor training, continuing education, and protocols for instructor/student pairing are important subjects.
There is an effort underway in some of the car clubs to look very directly at these issues, that also include: modern convertibles in track days, passing/let-by procedures, solo signoff criteria, protocols for assessing and managing situations like new drivers in supercars, modern performance SUVs/crossovers, wheel/tire combinations, and performance mods, and better ways to build safer driver skills development experiences while keeping them interesting, challenging and fun for all of the participants.
Most of these technical issues can be corralled by a properly trained instructors with the moxie and authority to act on the spot, and who are given honest opportunities for continuing education and skills development experiences.