An interesting insight on the risks...

[bigjae1976]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/features...ight-side-seat

An interesting read and a good perspective on HPDEs. I remember I used to think instructing was glamorous and easy. As I get further into instructing I realize more and more it is mentally and physically hard work. Jumping in from car to car on a 105 degree day, being out on track for 12 of the 20 sessions run during the day. Some days I've been out there for 14 sessions.

Not worth the free or cheaper track time. Well worth the reward of seeing students get better. Quite frankly my PR lap times have gotten worse since I started instructing but I'm OK as long as my students are happy.

[FogCityM3]

Good story and good reminder to respect and closely listen to your instructor.

[CanAutM3]

Good article, thanks for sharing.

I also share your points about instructing. A day at the track is quite busy as an instructor. You don't have much time to socialize anymore and since you are less rested, your own track times suffer.

But the rewards of seeing students improve and become better drivers is well worth it, IMO. Seeing students leave with a smile and thanking you for their progress is very satisfying. Further, at some point you also start to learn yourself by constantly observing students and trying different things with them.

[WarrantyTracker]

I would be nowhere in tracking without my instructors. Thanks, guys!

[Sebringjetta]

i totaled my e46 4 mos ago doing double duty....it was about 106 deg and i was running 20min sessions in my own class w/ 20min gaps in between my instructing classes...last session of the day i put it into the wall at about 70 in my session...i was exhausted and not paying attention...i will post video of it later... i had about 35k into the car not including the cost of the car...took me 5 yrs to build and it was all gone in a blink of a eye...at the end of the day its only metal and i walked away and im not in a wheel chair....

my point is dont over do it...if you even think you might be cutting your self too thin dont...i was lucky this time

[rev9k]

Originally Posted by Sebringjetta

i totaled my e46 4 mos ago doing double duty....it was about 106 deg and i was running 20min sessions in my own class w/ 20min gaps in between my instructing classes...last session of the day i put it into the wall at about 70 in my session...i was exhausted and not paying attention...i will post video of it later... i had about 35k into the car not including the cost of the car...took me 5 yrs to build and it was all gone in a blink of a eye...at the end of the day its only metal and i walked away and im not in a wheel chair....

my point is dont over do it...if you even think you might be cutting your self too thin dont...i was lucky this time

That sucks.. I remember that car from the M3forum days. Had a lot of parts on it.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by hughs65e90

That sucks.. I remember that car from the M3forum days. Had a lot of parts on it.

ya it was like loosing a child....amount of hours that went into it...almost caused a divorce...

[swartzentruber]

Wow, I heard about the death, but had no idea that's how he died. I have to say this does provide an interesting perspective, and certainly makes me more grateful to the good (and even bad) instructors that I've had in the past. I will say though the incidence of instructors dying or even getting injured is pretty low.

Anecdotally, I've noticed a higher number of incidents in the BMWCCA instructor sessions for events I've run in than I would expect. I have to wonder now if at least some of that is fatigue of driving your own and instructing as well.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by WarrantyTracker

I would be nowhere in tracking without my instructors. Thanks, guys!

Good point - I have heard that they hate to be referred to a "ballast" too!

In the many track days I have done, I have been surprised by the consistency, commitment and quality of those that volunteer their time and safety to make HPDEs so much fun.

[surlynkid]

I can vouch for the fact that I have seen BigJae have to work his tail off instructing a green student, a blue student and finding time to drive himself in the instructor group. It is certainly not relaxing for these guys. They bust their tails.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Good point - I have heard that they hate to be referred to a "ballast" too!

Some of us prefer the term "rewards weight," for those of you familiar with the old World Challenge series.

Not as in "your going faster is my reward," because I prefer you go faster AFTER I signed you off.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Sebringjetta

my point is dont over do it...if you even think you might be cutting your self too thin dont...i was lucky this time

And that's so easy to do. I've had to pass on driving a couple of sessions. I used to think that instructing wasn't that physically taxing...boy was I wrong!

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Good article, thanks for sharing.

I also share your points about instructing. A day at the track is quite busy as an instructor. You don't have much time to socialize anymore and since you are less rested, your own track times suffer.

But the rewards of seeing students improve and become better drivers is well worth it, IMO. Seeing students leave with a smile and thanking you for their progress is very satisfying. Further, at some point you also start to learn yourself by constantly observing students and trying different things with them.

I'm definitely more aware of what I'm doing. I just find it difficult to be consistent. But yeah, the students are fun. I was instructing in a vette owner who I think was trying to give me whiplash which was my "worst" experience but it was still pretty damned fun! I love the "Oh! now I get it!"

Originally Posted by surlynkid

I can vouch for the fact that I have seen BigJae have to work his tail off instructing a green student, a blue student and finding time to drive himself in the instructor group. It is certainly not relaxing for these guys. They bust their tails.

Thanks! That day was hot! It was fun riding with you and Sally. Great weekend! It was fun watching you white knuckle the first lap in the yellow session you went out in. But you did great! I did consider recommending you for yellow at the next event but I prefer to err on the side of caution.

Originally Posted by swartzentruber

Anecdotally, I've noticed a higher number of incidents in the BMWCCA instructor sessions for events I've run in than I would expect. I have to wonder now if at least some of that is fatigue of driving your own and instructing as well.

I think its a combination of things in addition to fatigue.

Instructors generally check their car less...that's a fact. You're tired, don't have the time and you just want to take a break. I'm sure if you did a thorough tech you'd be surprised at how many cars would have a significant amount of gigs that should be easily corrected. Honestly, I've been bad about that. You should at least check your tire pressures twice a day...I do that like once a weekend. Usually I see more breakdowns in the instructor session.

Also there is a high demand for instructors and there's not a lot of them around. So the temptation is to churn out quantity instead of quality. Not saying that instructors are better people but it does take certain qualities to create a safe environment. Its hard to really mold people during one weekend a month...if that.

[jphughan]

Great read! And we students are very grateful to people like you willing to drop some knowledge on us even when it means getting into a car with a total stranger.

[Andy_H_E92_M3]

Originally Posted by jphughan

Great read! And we students are very grateful to people like you willing to drop some knowledge on us even when it means getting into a car with a total stranger.

Amen to that.

[dmw16]

Sobering read. I don't instruct but I get to coach athletes on a daily basis and it's so rewarding so I get why instructors keep coming back.

With that said, thanks to all the instructors out there. Looking back on my first season every one of them were great and I learned a ton.

[lsal]

Thanks, respect!

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by WarrantyTracker

I would be nowhere in tracking without my instructors. Thanks, guys!

+100000 Thank you all of you guys that are instructing. I know they are the ones that have helped me improve.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

+100000 Thank you all of you guys that are instructing. I know they are the ones that have helped me improve.

Looking back...I hope I was a good student. Although I definitely had my moments I think I turned out OK. Driving by myself nowadays is actually kind of boring.

[1MOREMOD]

wait what? you drive and instruct in the same day? unless im mistaken that doesnt happen much here. the instructor might drive a few laps in a students car to show them lines but not pull double duty to try and get a hpde day out of their instruction day? pick one.

[Klepper1]

As a student, I would like to say a big "Thanks!" to all the instructors out there!! Your hard work is much appreciated!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Klepper1

As a student, I would like to say a big "Thanks!" to all the instructors out there!! Your hard work is much appreciated!

+1 i dont use them much anymore other than talking thru things so i dont have to scare them with my driving.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

wait what? you drive and instruct in the same day? unless im mistaken that doesnt happen much here. the instructor might drive a few laps in a students car to show them lines but not pull double duty to try and get a hpde day out of their instruction day? pick one.

i do double duty when its my day to instruct