Need first time track advice

[KilgoreLSU]

I have had 3 instructors.. I'll do one more weekend with HPDE 1 and Test to 2. I hope to pass.

I had 3 totally different types of instructors.

1 was a first time instructor.. Super nice guy and really was good at teaching me overall what was going on, but he was used to Porsche GT3 car which is a much lighter car. So it wasn't as easy for him to explain how weight was affecting me. I still really liked him and hope to see him in the future.

2nd instructor was a BMW M2 owner and was better at showing me lines I could run, BUT.. he drove car hard and really threw it around the track. I knew this wasn't exactly how I wanted to drive, but he was able to show me how hard you could punish it and get through.

3rd instructor was the best so far. He has taught 100's of drivers, was great at discussing things after the drive, encouraged memorizing track.. super positive guy.

The most important thing he taught me was really trying to be smoothe and let the car be setup for each turn so I wasn't having to catch up to it's mass flying around. It was what I really wanted to get to and aspire to. It's easier on the car, tires, and brakes.. It just feels right.

I can see how it's unnerving for many people. There was a new driver with a Mclaren out there and he clearly did not want to wreck his fabulous car. I flew by him, thinking this will never happen again in my lifetime.. Later I saw him talking to others about all the Miatas and why were they so popular. The answer being, they are not expensive to repair or replace and a thrill to drive.

He left after 2nd session and I'm sure he's contemplating either never returning, or maybe I should start with something that is replaceable or repairable to do this again.

It's not for everyone, but for the ones that like/love it.. it's a thrill to push your reflexes, reactions, learn your limits, and have a nice comraderie with others of similar thinking.

SCCA Solo might be more your style. It's a 1 to 2 min run through a cone course. Is far less devistating on your tires or brakes. It's all about hitting your marks and being at right speed.

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[AZ_Ryan]

If you saw a lot of scraped rubber on your tires, it was most likely not your rubber (if you rode on PS4S).

Turns out it was! Cleaned up my car today and realized it was track rubber.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Good discussion. I'm certainly not blaming the instructor for my experience, but it definitely got me off on the wrong foot. He wasn't familiar with my car and was driving a Honda that probably weighed a thousand pounds less. He was also barking at me and grabbing the wheel which I didn't take kindly too and completely distracted me. When I started chirping tires on the 3rd lap and he was pushing me harder I kinda shut down. I think some experienced track guys just need to be more patient with newbies and appreciate the difference in cars. I realize the car was capable of going way harder, but didnt know those limits and it was really nerve wracking. Funny thing is did way better by myself when I could pick my line and concentrate in shifting and breaking less. Oh well.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Have you ever autocrossed before? Being on a road course if you've never pushed the car in a safe environment would definitely be unnerving. I'd look for an autocross school to attend (you get an instructor and a lot of runs) and/or an autocross test and tune and that will make you much more comfortable. The track attack does the same thing, but trys to condense it all into one day.

 

[luc]

Good discussion. I'm certainly not blaming the instructor for my experience, but it definitely got me off on the wrong foot. He wasn't familiar with my car and was driving a Honda that probably weighed a thousand pounds less. He was also barking at me and grabbing the wheel which I didn't take kindly too and completely distracted me. When I started chirping tires on the 3rd lap and he was pushing me harder I kinda shut down. I think some experienced track guys just need to be more patient with newbies and appreciate the difference in cars. I realize the car was capable of going way harder, but didnt know those limits and it was really nerve wracking. Funny thing is did way better by myself when I could pick my line and concentrate in shifting and breaking less. Oh well.

Being a fast/experienced/ good driver and a good instructor are 2 different things

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