This is slowly making the rounds on other forums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwa9T...layer_embedded

I've had instructors that haven't exactly held my hand, but it wasn't my first day at the track and they were still being positive and giving me useful advice.

 

I saw this video on another forum earlier. From what I hear, the instructor is actually a nice guy, so he must've been having a bad day, but STILL. The guy prefaces the lap by saying that it's his first time on track. How can he be expected to know what lines to take, what's considered smooth, etc. I feel like at that skill level, or rather lack of, an instructor should be sort of holding your hand and helping you along the track, not insulting you.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. If the guy is driving downright dangerously, sure, but the most we see in the video is a bit of tire squeal and the instructor turns into an instant jackass.

 

I have always said that among the most important criteria an instructor must have, is a good attitude.
This guy clearly doesn't have that.

Scary to think there are instructors out there that think they can get away with this kind of behavior.

 

That instructor is awful. I don't see much wrong there, especially for a first lap with a guy on his first HPDE. Everyone has to start from somewhere. Hope that guy didn't walk away hating his experience at the track.

 

Ouch. That was harsh. I still havent done a track day and would not be very happy if that was my first experience.

 

I would say that it was an isolated incident. Don't hesitate to take it to the track, just because of this video.

 

If you go to 3BR at Grattan, they have a bunch of good instructors.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Ok, I'm a certified SCCA instructor - this guy was horrible.

Forget the a-hole comment off the bat, maybe that was said to try and loosen up the guy. But to have a 1st-timer out there and to plan to NOT say anything the first few laps is horrible.
When you've got a first timer, you should pretty much be telling him/her the line! Before you go out you need to talk about terminology, driving position, some track etiquette, review flags, talk about the car and experience, etc. That's what helps loosen up a person - so talk about their car!

I could go on.....ugh...disgusted.

 

if i would be in that organization, i would simply throw him out. He will do more damage then good anyway.
No instructions, just bad comments with meaning less questions when you should give out instructions and answer's...
HE is simply just a bad person.
Most of the times instructors are over rated anyway, unless they are Pro instructors.

 

Talk to the instructors before you go with them. There are plenty out there. If they cocky from the begin with , then wait for the right one. You might loose one session but you will gain a lot more later.
Dont settle with jerks or guys who thinks they are the gods of the track. They usually are bad instructors.
My wife changed instructor too, in her first Lime Rock track day. And with the new instructor she was visibly faster and MUCH happier. The funny thing is she finished a TT better then her first instructor that day/ 16th place out of 66 guys/. Granted maybe her car was the key

 

that was awful.

 

wow i couldn't believe it when that guy started criticizing the driver like that. this guy needs a reality check, its the drivers first time.

 

That instructor clearly drives a 50whp, 1980's Porsche or BMW. His car is so slow that he prides himself on how smooth he can shift, and not disrupt the chassis, and how he can perfectly place his car on the racing line with ultra buttery steering inputs. Truth is anyone could drive a car that slow - it's easy. All this while being lapped and laughed at by the guys in the instructor run group. There's on of these tools in every club.

He got scared because the mazdaspeed had some acceleration pulling out of the pits, and this guy was out of his league.

I've had similar stuff happen. I went out with a 1980's porsche instructor. He complained if I didn't pin every apex perfect, and he said I need to work on smoothness. Smoothness relative to his slow as crap car that can be held at WOT all the time. My car was not as smooth because when you step on the gas the thing goes like a rocket, and then you need to slam on the brakes or lift as to not make the whimpy instructor crap in the passenger seat.

My next time out, was 100% different. Instructor was hard-core. After the first lap he said, "your car is scary fast, you should put in a cage, or track a slower car." He then proceeded to make me drive it hard, WOT everywhere we could. Helping me go faster in areas I was nervous, and not afraid of the speed of the car. It was roughly 5.2 times more fun than 80's porsche guy, and gave me confidence in building speed in difficult sections of the track.

My car still scares me.