STEP 3: One of our Chief Instructors and/or Senior Level Instructors will be driving their own car on track while you ride along with them. This time, YOU will be instructing THEM. We know you may not know all of the specifics yet, but do your best. We are looking for the competencies listed in Instructor Skill Group A (communication, decisiveness, safety, stress resilience, etc.). The driver may do some things incorrectly on purpose to test you, so be prepared!
Excerpts from our Instructor Manual which should help you during step 3 are below.
We want our instructors to promote SAFE, smooth and proficient driving. Our instructors shall follow our procedures, and uphold all safety guidelines. Instructors are expected to immediately bring to our attention anything that may compromise safety or present a hazard.
You are fully empowered to control any situations that present a safety risk including making a driver slow down and/or exit the track. You will be fully supported by the organization with any safety decisions you make.
While in car, instructors must be attentive to the student’s attitude and emotional state, as well as the car’s condition on-track, all while positively promoting skill development.
We expect our instructors to:
- Be able to consistently explain repetitive driving cues to students while in-car (“on the brake”, “off the brake”, “turn in”, “apex”, “on the gas”, etc.).
- Be able to focus on coaching a single element as needed (for example, how to take a specific corner at a given track)
- Notice and correct common Novice behaviors (failing to watch mirrors, death grip, shuffling hands, etc.)
- Determine student expectations, car modifications, tire types, and other key information prior to going on track
- Ensure students understand the fundamentals of safety, flags, etiquette and other basics before going on track
- Provide concise, prompt feedback to students following on-track sessions, allowing them to ask any questions they may have
- Be mentally be prepared to COMMAND and CONTROL students as needed, especially to address any risky or unsafe behavior
During the first on-track session for First Timer/Acclimation, there will be a pace car leading the group. This is a low speed session for first time drivers to become acclimated with the track conditions. The Experienced Novice group will not have a pace-controlled first session. The following items should be covered during the first on-track session:
- Ask the driver to point out each corner worker station as you pass by them, keep having them do this until they make a full lap without missing one
- Begin to teach the student the driving line appropriate for their vehicle, identifying turn-in, apex and turn out points
- Note braking zones and explain their usage
- Point out passing zones and discuss which side passes should be conducted on in each one (there will be no passing during this first session)
- Ensure the driver knows where pit-out and the checkered flag station are located
As sessions continue, observe the driver’s situational awareness, point out items and make corrections as needed and continue to work on the driving line. Begin to cover these concepts as appropriate:
- Looking up and ahead
- Braking technique
- Throttle technique
- Smoothness
- Weight transfer
- Sounds and smells (brakes, tires, etc)
- Using “all of the track”