Lap Timers & Students

[Tony356993]

What do you folks think about a students having timing eqt in the car that gives them feedback during the session?

I was approached last w/e @ SP from a student if it would be ok if he turned on his sport chrono stop watch during the run.

I said that I was not comfortable with it yet but if he showed me some very consistent smooth laps and hit every apex, I would consider his request. He did not ask again. 

I do not think it is bad for a student to evaluate his or her laps times but I think it is best done from the paddock or from their couch watching video.

I do not want this to sound too old man like "I walked up hill both ways to school with no shoes over shards of glass" but I never took a lap time for the 1st 5 years at the track.

One on my earliest instructors (Ed K) came up to me one day after a session at the Glen to ask me if I knew what my laps times were. I responded, "No, I never take them". Only then did I start looking at the data. I usually could tell as a student if I did well by the feedback of my instructor.

Isn't positive feedback enough for a student? How did any of us ever survive w/o a Hot Lap Timer?