Lessons from other regions/sponsors?

[Mike Andrews]

Tony356993 wrote:

When I have been out of region the policy has been that the cones are there only on the first day. At the drivers meeting the second day it is announced that the cones are removed.

I like it!

How about the new guys that show up the second day? Not everyone can take of on Friday...... Just playing devils advocate.

Should we try it this weekend?

[Tony356993]

Hank,

Thanks for the insights. It is always good to get views from folks with different skill levels. I think Mike covered most of your post but I will add one thing.

[size=2]In your second paragraph you talk about the 20 second variance and how it's startling to the slower cars.  That's exactly why they are in the lower groups.  Because they get startled.  The higher run groups have had to deal with that and aren't caught off guard. 

 

I participated @ the Glen during an RTR event that combined upper run groups as Mike mentioned. I thought it was the best time I ever had on a track. I feel my field of vision and awareness that I have learned going through the ranks really paid off during that session. There were a lot of car and the speed differences were great. I passed as many folks thats passed me. If you look into an old RTR forum post, you will see other folks feedback from that session. It was a great time and as safe as our sport can be. See you @ the track.[/size]

[Tony356993]

How about the new guys that show up the second day?  Not everyone can take of on Friday......  Just playing devils advocate. 

Should we try it this weekend?

 

I would love to try it out this w/e.

I think a first time ever on ANY track person may get the most benefit from the cones but if they were not there they would not know what they were missing. I think the cones help the instructor teach a little easier but other references can be used. Just my 2 cents.

[LouZ]

Tony356993 wrote:

When I have been out of region the policy has been that the cones are there only on the first day. At the drivers meeting the second day it is announced that the cones are removed.

I like it!

We ran one this year, I can't recall if it was Shenandoah, or the Glen. I'm in Blue and it was an eye opener! There wasn't the crutch of a moveable cone to guide us, so we had to rely on something that is talked about in the classroom - PICK A "HARD POINT" for each turn-in, apex (usually marked) and turn-out. I felt that it led to smoother conering, since I had to learn how NOT to drive from cone to cone to cone!

[TwentySix]

Hammerin Hank wrote:

Interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up. Being new to the PCA, one of the things that strikes me as being odd is the way the DE groups are structured. .....I've been in the situation myself at non-PCA events. It's both frustrating to the fast cars and a bit startling to the slower ones, to have a car appear in your mirrors in the blink of an eye.

Just curious... what groups have you run with, and how many track days do you have?

[Hammerin Hank]

elizabeth26 wrote:

Hammerin Hank wrote:

Interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up. Being new to the PCA, one of the things that strikes me as being odd is the way the DE groups are structured. .....I've been in the situation myself at non-PCA events. It's both frustrating to the fast cars and a bit startling to the slower ones, to have a car appear in your mirrors in the blink of an eye.

Just curious... what groups have you run with, and how many track days do you have?

Schattenbaum, BSR, and PDA. 40-50 events over the last 10 years. The majority, of which, was with BSR. Doesn't include my butt time in karting, which is too lengthy to tally. A handful of autox's.

[TwentySix]

I guess the better question is who have you driven with that organizes their groups in the way that you've outlined (by speed potential of the car)? 

[TwentySix]

[size=2]

[size=3][size=2]C. Levels of learning: [/size]

Unconscious Incompetent (Novice) – They don’t know that they don’t know how to drive

Conscious Incompetent (Enlightened Novice) – They know they don’t know how to drive

Conscious Competent (Beginner/Intermediate) – They think about the fact that they are competent drivers

Unconscious Competent (Advanced) – They don’t think about it, they just drive competently

[/size][/size]

I pulled this from the CVR-PCA instructor handbook, and I think it is really on the money as with regard to the rungs in the ladder to being an proficient driver.  I like the way things are set up in the PCA, personally.  I don't think politics have anything to do with it.  I'd much rather be running with cars of different speeds who are track aware... we all see each other coming, and try not to hold up anyones progress   

[Brian Minkin]

Elizabeth,

You are absolutely right.

I might add that we had all run groups combined for a long session at the end of the MAW DE at pocono that worked well for all those involved and there where students with instructors, instructed students who had been signed off and advanced run group drivers all on the track together.  If I recall you had some much fun you ran out of fuel.  But seriously it was a great experience for everyone and passing was not a problem.

[Tony356993]

I'd much rather be running with cars of different speeds who are track aware... we all see each other coming, and try not to hold up anyones progress

Me too, well stated.