Novice School - Feb. 20th - SPC

[Jamie]

The biggest thing I have been noticing with novices is that they don't get close enough to apex cones.

I don't know about the other instructors, but I usually use the skidpad for teaching 'em to get close to the cones. Playing with various combinations of one circle or two gives a chance to practice setups for sweepers as well.

[Loren]

Really, all of the exercises are used for that depending on the needs of the particular student. There are some students that you can spend an entire session on the slalom telling them that they're 2 feet away from the cones and need to get closer, and they never do it. Some students learn quicker than others do, but even if they don't demonstrate it right away, most of them do remember a lot of what they're taught.

[shakedown067]

For getting closer to the cone. Could we set up a couple cones so as you pull up to grid you'd have an instructor with you so you could pull up slow to see the distance between the cone and the car? I'm thinking you set up one cone, then a chalk line to another cone. It'd almost be like a parallel parking driving test, but more of how close can you get to the cone/chalk line. Maybe you have them do that on the way to one of the courses. I'd mainly concentrate on the passenger side as a lot of people are bad at judging that distance. Doing it at slow speed might help for later as the speed increases. My $.02

[Loren]

Sounds like a good addition to the launch/braking exercise. Just do it when they line up to start. Easy. Just need someone to watch and tell them how close they are each time. Can give them the option to pull close to the right or close to the left, whichever they need to work on.

Good idea!

[nc4me]

I like the suggestion Eric.

[Native]

Just like the old Brady bunch episode - don't knock the egg off the cone!

[Dave-ROR]

The biggest thing I have been noticing with novices is that they don't get close enough to apex cones.

I don't know about the other instructors, but I usually use the skidpad for teaching 'em to get close to the cones. Playing with various combinations of one circle or two gives a chance to practice setups for sweepers as well.

That's what I do also, and to teach them to steer the car with the throttle instead of the steering wheel. I even prefered the figure 8's circles not being perfect to really get them looking ahead and force them to use the throttle to steer.

The accel/braking/sharp turn section works well. I do wish we could fit in another element but I don't no room for that.. that's the only advantage that Brooksville would have IMO.. and better pizza

[Dave-ROR]

Just like the old Brady bunch episode - don't knock the egg off the cone!

I actually try to get the students to hit the cone...

[Loren]

Just like the old Brady bunch episode - don't knock the egg off the cone!

I actually try to get the students to hit the cone...

Only way to know you're getting close is to hit one. Every student should be hitting cones in every exercise at some point, and most of them should spin at some point either in the skidpad/figure-8 or the slalom.

[Native]

most of them should spin at some point either in the skidpad/figure-8 or the slalom.

I think that too. It's hard to get them to push hard enough to do that, though - I think when the Chair, or instructors, introduce that exercise, that it needs to be stated more explicitly that part of that exercise is learning what it takes to induce, or recover, or just experience, a spin.

[shakedown067]

I think when the Chair, or instructors, introduce that exercise, that it needs to be stated more explicitly that part of that exercise is learning what it takes to induce, or recover, or just experience, a spin.

I like it. I've certainly never heard it put that way. My first spin was at brooksville. It was actually nice to get it done and out of the way. Still didn't hit cone though. I'd be willing to introduce them to spin with a ride-a-long in my car during the school. Well, not for every student...I dont' think I'd have any rubber left.

[Jamie]

Every student should...spin at some point either in the skidpad/figure-8 or the slalom.

LOL -- when Sam took the school this last January, I told his instructors to make sure he spun at least once.

[Jack]

Yes , he did spin ! It took alot to get him to push the car that hard.

[treekiller]

Keep me posted guys while I cannot comit quite yet I want to try and make myself availble
I'd like to go over a few alterations on our existing school plan but I beleive it's a successful formula we keep tweaking and making better each year

[nc4me]

I'm going to be going through everything Steven sent me this week. I'll keep you posted as I review things and make decisions.

[nc4me]

FAST is holding a Novice Autocrosser's school on the driver training pad at the St Petersburg College Allstate Campus on Sat. Feb. 20th! The $60 entry fee includes the world-famous FAST Lunch and more than twice the seat time of a regular autocross! If you've competed in no more than 6 autocrosses, this will be a great opportunity to learn and improve! If you've done more than 6 or you took the school once already, you won't be eligible for this event.

To provide quality instruction, the class size is limited to 32 students, and preregistration and prepayment will be mandatory. The event will run from 7:30am - 5pm, approximately. The school will consist of three different driving stations, plus a "classroom" session. The student:instructor ratio will be 4:1, or better.

It's gonna be a full day, starting off with registration, introductory lecture and drivers' meeting, then off to the course to take a couple of baseline timed runs. Then we'll break into groups, and practice several individual autocross driving elements, along with continued lecture. The world-famous FAST lunch is included. Once instruction and practice are done, we'll finish the day with a few more timed runs, so you'll be able to guage just how much your skills have improved!

Please note that drivers under age 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign the insurance waiver on-site allowing them to compete. For insurance purposes, everyone must sign the waiver.

Then, on Sun., Feb. 21st, FAST is having a regular autocross event at SPC. Students who participated in the school will be eligible for a deeply discounted entry fee of only $15! That's half-price, folks!

Any questions can be posted here, or email me at chrissws6@yahoo.com or pm me here on this site.

[nc4me]

So, if any of you want to get someone that's hooked on autocross a great christmas gift, this is it.

Also, we will need instructors and volunteer course workers for this event. As I have previously posted. Please wait till after the new year to offer your services, but I do want to let you know what you will receive for volunteering so hopefully you'll keep your schedule clear for February 20th.

ALL INSTRUCTORS WILL RECEIVE ONE EVENT CREDIT. So consider it as getting free lunch the day of the school and 1 free autocross and lunch for your hard work.

ALL VOLUNTEER COURSE WORKERS WILL RECEIVE 2, THATS RIGHT TWO EVENT CREDITS!!!!!!!!!! So consider it as getting free lunch the day of the school and 2 free autocrosses and lunches for your hard work.

[shakedown067]

Well, I guess I know what I'll be doing on March 27 (and 28th of course).

[Native]

Moving this thread to Upcoming - seems more appropriate there, now...

[buddy bodean]

How is a school event different from a typical autocross?

Attend it and you will see.