Novice Autocross school - Jan 10, 2009 - planning thread

[Native]

It's a go! Victor Crichton, Ron Marchini and I are going to give it a whirl. Needless to say, we have a lot of details to work out yet, so there's no specifics to offer, but at this point I can suggest it will probably be similar to past schools

At this point, we're looking for folks available to instruct, and anyone willing to volunteer to help with courseworking. All will be handsomely rewarded in some way, shape or form.

From the other thread here,
http://www.kickflop.net/autocrossbb/viewtopic.php?t=412" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Dave Balogh and Jeff Lloyd have volunteered to instruct. Excellent.
Who else is willing to impart their autocross prowess upon the newbs? Don't be shy, you know who you are and if you don't volunteer we're gonna ask you anyway...and anyone too modest to teach, we'll need plenty of other help that day!

[Alizarin]

If you'd like me to instruct again, I'd be available.

[Jack]

i would like to instruct, it was fun last year in the school.

[WAFlowers]

I've helped with newbs and intermediates before. I'll do it again.

But ... someday I want an advanced instruction group that I can attend! I need a LOT of work on my skills (not to mention work on my car ).

[Loren]

Rumor has it that we'll be doing an "advanced" school later in the year.

I'm in for some instructing.

[WAFlowers]

Rumor has it that we'll be doing an "advanced" school later in the year.

Sweet!

[Dave-ROR]

I'll vote early for Cherry Coke and some more BBQ

[buddy bodean]

Rumor has it that we'll be doing an "advanced" school later in the year.

I am looking forward to the advanced school also.

I would like to work this beginner's event if you need me. I am trying to talk my son-in-law to be into taking his G35 out so I will be there anyway.

Ummmm, BBQ.

[Blacknot]

I will instruct also if needed.

[michlong]

i'll come along and help out. not sure how much help i'll be of course.

thanks

Mike

[Native]

Great response, guys - thank you all.

Here's a summary so far:
Chair/Subs:
Victor, Ron M., Steve

Instructors:
Victor, Kenny, Jack, Bill, Loren, Dave, Jeff (lecture), Jamie
Brian H., Bob T., Charles, Howard, Dan

Coursework:
Ed C., Michael L. , Aaron P., Carl, Bob G., Scott W., Merian P., Brian B., Jordan Y., Rydell, Mike H.



12 instructors, 10 courseworkers...that ought work well!



Behind the scenes we're working up the plan for the day.
BBQ duly noted - no promises, though, it was a big splurge.

[impalanut]

I saw two dates, which is the one for the school?

[Solar]

I saw two dates, which is the one for the school?

Jan 10th

[treekiller]

Keep in mind, I can also work during the day of the school, if we are willing to do the classroom here the evening before. and I'll splurge on snacks and beverages for the school. then I can be a right seater for the school.

Great response, guys - thank you all.

Here's a summary so far:
Chair/Subs:
Victor, Ron M., Steve

Instructors:
Victor, Kenny, Jack, Bill, Loren, Dave, Jeff (lecture), Jamie (maybe)

Coursework:
Ed, Michael

More! we need more!
Preferrably 4-5 more instructors and 6-8 more courseworkers...

Behind the scenes we're working up the plan for the day.
BBQ duly noted - no promises, though, it was a big splurge.

[Native]

Howard - you game to instruct?

Jeff - thanks again. Victor, Ron and I are feverishly working on a plan. Not so sure the morning lecture thing is gonna fly, but sit tight for now. 8)

[Native]

All right, more help here:

add Brian Heintzman and Bob Tamandli to the instructor list, and Aaron Parke has agreed to help with coursework.

A big thanks to all.
Still need a bit more help - please volunteer.

FWIW, it looks like the "handsome reward" I mentioned before will include free runs the day of the school for all staff. Instructors will get one other event credit, and courseworkers will get two event credits. Sweet deal, no need to thank me just step right up and help the school be a huge succcess!

[impalanut]

I'm in. I think it would be a good idea for the instructors to meet ahead of time to decide whether to use the same format and set up as the last time or look for some improvements or changes. also, we should set up timing. the very first time we did this we had a pre and post class set of runs. We also may be able to use timing during the school portion as well

[Loren]

Time is the critical factor at these things. Doing pre-runs (great idea, btw) eats up an hour. Post-runs another hour at minimum. To be able to do things like focus on time and such during the training portion, we need to REALLY limit the number of students so that we're not rushing as much.

My opinion: This is the "novice school", we need to limit it to true novices (or at least give them priority, and fill-in with others) and just focus on teaching the basics as we have in the past. What Howard is talking about (timing course segments, etc) is something more suited to the "advanced" school, which should probably have even FEWER students.

[Native]

Charles and Howard are in for instructors! Excellent! That gives us 11, and 12 with Jamie's maybe. That gives us about a 3:1 ratio, depending.

We still need a few courseworkers, please. The show can't go on without you!

Thanks for the suggestions. At this point, while we haven't decided for sure, we're limiting enrollment to number, we're likely going to be doing pre and post runs. While it does eat some time, the chair committee decided to do it that way. Feedback from past students, including two of whom are on the chair committee, liked it enough to want to do it.

We have not yet discussed the instructors meeting ahead of time, but the chair committee will be deciding what exercises to do. We'd love to hear feedback from anyone, but since past school formats were successful and received very little, if any, negative feedback from the students, we aren't going to be re-inventing the wheel too much.

I agree with Loren's idea about making it a true "novice" school - the chairs haven't gotten to discussing that yet, either.

If anyone has feedback for the chairs please feel free to post it. We may or may not use the suggestions, but post-up! 8)

[impalanut]

I agree about the novices. Maybe less than three events or so. We should discuss the basic skills we want to cover and the course layout. We need to stay on schedule.