Should I instruct?
 

I posted this in the autocross/racing forum but thought more folks might see it here?

I've been asked to instruct for an upcoming DE day for our local Porsche club. I've done several track days and have been racing vintage formula vee since 2008. My concern is that I'm not a certified instructor. I did it once last year when they were in a pinch and it went ok. Luckily I had two good beginner students that day.

What are the potential issues in terms of liability and lacking instruction on how to handle more difficult situations? How can a club run a DE day with non certified instructors and maintain proper insurance, etc.

I wasn't too impressed with how they ran things last year and one of the instructors wadded up his 911 running crap tires. They didn't require instructor cars to be tech'd. I know my 914 didn't have to be and I ran that car. It had recently been serviced and inspected but I wasn't required to prove that.

I'm nervous about this. I'd like to help them out and grow this program. They are pushing hard really hard as they don't want to turn students away. They had a robust DE program several years back and then nothing for a few years. It just started up again in the last 1 -2 years.

Any advice?

Tough question to answer.

Last year I drove out to Monterey and did the DE at Laguna Seca. The said they did not have enough instructors even though I asked for one. I can tell you knowing the corkscrew is coming up but not knowing where was a bit intimidating on that first lap.

The instructor I had in Georgia for Roebling Road was telling me he has been through a few crashes with students that would not listen and they did the wrong things. One crash involved a fire. He got out just in time. :eek:

Doesn't sound like an organization I'd want to run in. Self tech instructor cars but tech the participant cars? Either or, but don't have separate rules.

I ran a lot with PCA GGR out here in NorCal when I still had my SC and a younger family. They were a tightly run organization, none of the things you describe would have flown there. Their events were serious in terms of times people were pushing, but they were also very safe compared to any other group I have run with.

G

That is a tough one. Bottom line it all comes down to whether or not you are able to control the situation and be able to stay ahead of your student. If you have concern that you won't be able to do this then you should most definitely stay out of the right seat.

Every club does things slightly different but they all follow the guidelines set forth by National. This is a requirement for being insured to run the event. I do not think there is a requirement for instructors to be PCA certified. We have instructors from other car clubs who are generally vetted w/ a CI or other sources prior to having them instruct at our events.

Regarding tech, I do believe its a requirement for all cars to be tech'd before the event by a pre-approved facility. However, grid tech requirements are not hard and fast. I run w/ PCA clubs who let instructors self tech and some who require it no matter what.

Again, I will say that you will need to make the call on whether you feel like you can keep yourself and your student safe. If you get to the day and your student doesn't give you the comfort level you are seeking then you need to say 'no' and pass him/her off to the CI and ask for another assignment.

To each his own. I got to the point where my local PCA club asked to go through their instructor school (hey,at least they had such a program) but I quickly found out that was not my thing. I took part in some of it and I just did NOT like being a passenger in a poorly driven car on track. I'm OK being a passenger with a person I trust is better than me, but not with a student. Shortly thereafter a friend of mine was injured while instructing - seems the instructor is always the one hitting the wall ;-(

You bring up liability issues. I wouldn't do it outside of a well insured club anyway, what if a student blames you for something they did... PCA probably does a good job of covering your a$$....

I have instructed for over 6 years with NASA, Trackmasters, and HOD here in Northern California. I hear your concerns and you need to deal with them. That being said I feel that either you have the demeanor to coach/instruct or you don't. You may have a lot of track experience but if you can't communicate to a new driver AND keep you composure while on track. Instructing may not be for you. You have to stay calm in the face if inexperience. If you get excited then your student will too. You need to have control of the situation as much as possible.

Well, as a PCA national Certified instructor, a E. Paul Dickinson Graduate instructor, HOD coach, Dark Side DE instructor, ect, ect...

When someone ask me, why I'm willing to instruct, I point out that someone was willing to instruct me when I was a young pup, my way of giving back to the sport I love. You can't try to improve things if you don't get involved, so you can either sit back & ***** or step up and see if you can improve it. No matter what, you will still have control of your student & his or her car. I know many instructors who retech, the students cars, just to make sure they know what to look for.
Course, it does take a toll on your body & hair.
When I started.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432935803.jpg
After I got out of a students car;)http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432936008.jpg

Really, only you can decide how much you want to give back.

Thanks! Byron, I hear you and appreciate the advice. I talked to the past president locally yesterday and walked through my concerns. I decided to do it. We had a good discussion about how to improve the situation here. I got started with the PNW region and they have an amazing program that they run. I really appreciated the instruction I received and this is a good way to give back and improve my own driving as well.

Good to hear, back in the 80s when my old region (like many others) expanded to DE, there was no real experience, so we bumpled through events, then we had a guy transfer in , who had experience, and changed the face of our DEs. So outside help is sometimes what is needed. Good Luck and have fun..

This....you need to see if you have the demeanor for it. And, if you do, you should give back for all the guys that gave time to instruct you.

I have been doing it for about 5 years. I have had some good students and some a real handful. I have found that I learn from the students as well. It's been a good time our region runs a great program...happy to give you some pointers... PM me if you want to chat more.

I am a better driver having been an instructor. Much better.

I will have been racing for 50 years by next week, and I'm still learning, so I think I'll give instructing a miss.