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Just returned from a 4 day event at WGI with the Ferrari club. Aside from all the interesting cars there, I highly recommend attending as it is well run and has plenty track time.
Anyway, most of us have seen the viral video (included below) regarding an instructor-student interaction. Just when I thought such behavior would never occur in reality something interesting happened at the first class meeting. The individual in question (Lotus driver) became increasingly belligerent and disruptive as the instructor was not addressing his concerns about passing zones quickly enough. This escalated to the point that he stormed out of the class to our total disbelief. In the beginning, several of us thought this was staged as an instructor prank. Boy were we wrong!
His e-mail to the Chief Instructor preceding the event is included in video form below as well. All I can say is THANKS to all that make DE events happen and those that volunteer to instruct. These are difficult roles to begin with, knowing that you also have to interact with such folks has earned you even more respect IMO.
[indent]
[indent]
Some of you that were actual witnesses to this lunatic's actions at Watkins
Glen over the weekend have already seen this, but I am resending to a
broader audience now.
1. START HERE: this is the original, now legendary, "track-day comedy
video". ]http://www.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3db7iUKaPlBl8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8[/url] Every instructor I know
had the same reaction. I want to track down the anonymous creator and buy
him/her a beer or seven. After that video went viral, to add to the
hilarity, an immensely-respected member of the FCA National Board and
long-time racer responded with this:
[indent]Knowing that you know me and how good a driver I am, it should be obvious
[/indent]that I won't need to attend the driver's meeting. I've been to many and
could give an excellent brief myself. As you know, my car is in perfect
shape and the so-called technical experts would find nothing. I run slicks
on my convertible - I have the skills and know-how to properly warm them up.
Given my skills as an instructor - heck, you taught me - I won't need an
instructor. But, I'm willing to instruct the instructors. Run groups are
open as far as I'm concerned. I already know the rules and can drive
competently in all groups. Please have the appropriate arm bands at
registration. So, it would be appropriate to insert a special section
[into the rulebook] to accommodate competent people like me who should have
waivers for most of the silly rules that special people like me don't need.
Finally, I like to give rides to my friends and family - the red run group
is really the only time that they can fully experience the capabilities of
the Ferrari on the track. I know you won't mind an exception for me to run
with passengers.
---------------------------------------------------------
2. On Thursday night (9/2/10), I created the video below as an add-on to
that one.
Two weeks ago, Bruce received an email from a student -- one that was there
at the Glen THAT THURSDAY. Like, when Bruce first showed his email to me, I
first thought it was a joke being played on him by a friend.
And this particular driver's actions at the track on Thursday were
completely and utterly... Insane.
So I copied and pasted the text of the email from that student into this
animation software, along with Bruce's (short) reply. WORD-FOR-WORD. As
in, I did not change a single word of it, or leave anything out. (note, the
student is not a native english speaker, which explains some of the
phrasing; again, it's word for word what was written).
]http://www.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3d5_Y9Ztrnbhw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Y9Ztrnbhw[/url]
I'm torn over whether to ask you not to forward it, or not... I think it'd
eventually get back to the original insane student. The question is whether
we should care. Thoughts?
Vty,
--Dennis
[/indent][/indent]
Eric Mayer
2013 MB G63
2012 Audi R8 GT #232
2011 GT3 RS
1988 928 S4
1988 MB 560SL
2014 MB GL 550
2013 MB G63
2012 Audi R8 GT #232
2011 GT3 RS
1988 928 S4
1988 MB 560SL
2014 MB GL 550
hock:
