our own ProCoach in Road & Track (DE safety)

In a very sobering article in the Sept issue of Road & Track (pg. 18) , concerning safety at Driver's Ed events, our own Peter Krause -aka ProCoach- is one of four instructors quoted. The article is a result of the death of an instructor at Summit Point, and others (see the related post "Driver Killed today at Summit Point").

The question posed to four respected instructors was: Ride-along performance driving instructors are dying on the job. How do we stop it?

Peter's response (see pg. 20): "More focus on what to do when things go wrong- thinking clearly and having a plan to reduce or obviate unacceptable risk."

 

nice to have Peter's quote published. he is right!

 

Thanks for making us aware of this article, I need to get this issue! Very curious as to whats all said.

 

I'm relatively new to the HPDE world, having been to 4 track day/weekend events in the past year. The most recent was 2 days ago, at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL, with the Badger Bimmers chapter of the BMW CCA. They require ride-along instruction for all but the most advanced students.

Although I have been signed off to run in the intermediate group at Road America (which is where my 3 previous events were attended) since this was my first event at Blackhawk I opted to enroll as a novice to attend the classroom sessions and run with a theoretically less-aggressive group of drivers.

I also spent about 15 minutes before the first lapping session talking with my instructor about what I wanted to get out of the day, about things that might scare me, and about things that might scare him. We also talked about my car and what kind of performance envelope it has in relation to the track. Also talked about what to do if something goes wrong - from minor things like going into limp mode, or more serious like running off the track or spinning, or being behind someone who is doing those things.

One new thing the club did at this event that was a big help was having the novice group grid up, then run three laps under yellow with a 50 mph speed limit, then come in and re-grid for the first regular session.

Also, from the very beginning of the event it was stressed over and over that safety is paramount, that the instructor's word was law, and that if you could not comply you could not participate. All these things added up to what I felt was the safest possible event for the drivers and the instructors.

 

Great information and quotes from the rest of the guys, too!

As someone who started my track day career in other people's Ferraris (Lussos, Dinos, Mondials), and having evolved into a full-time professional driver performance analyst, it's troubling that there is not more emergency protocol preparation in the cockpit from both the driver and the instructor, as outlined in Jeff328's excellent post.

I'm focused on practical matters. One of the most practical solutions that can defuse situations (that I have experienced), and may have reduced the severity of the incident referenced in the R&T article, is simply reaching over and turning the key off... But not many times in the last thirty years have I heard that suggested in an instructor briefing.

Me? I long ago stopped riding with folks. Instead, I rely on much more accurate data measurements and good video to review with my driver what to do next.

I admire the instructors that ride, it's just not for me. Besides, the concepts I want to cover with the drivers I work with are too complex to communicate real-time in the car. Best that we both spend full attention on the task at hand. Me on review with them, and them driving the car...

 

That's very similar how I am when I'm shotgun. I don't like surprises, enjoy going home at the end of the day and cannot emphasize enough that too quickly something can and will go amiss so a very short leash is used. One of several other things that works for me is establishing a good & positive repor with the driver well before we get in the car.
The yellow laps prior to the first session are a good way to shake off the jitters some may have and is a good way to begin the acclimation to the track environment while pointing out important things like corner workers and various landmarks.

 

From what I understand, the format at HyperFest/Summit Point was not very safe. I'm not sure what, if any classroom instruction occurred beforehand. And as it was just one session, I think there is too much of a temptation for drivers to go all-out, instead of taking a gradual approach.

I applaud all of those in-car instructors who have helped me in the past and continue to do so. With the right format and classroom, it can be a fairly safe hobby. But certainly not without its risks. I'm also a bit concerned with the horsepower "arms race" mentioned in the R&T article; lots of beginners are going out in super fast cars, and can get into trouble very quickly, even compared with most cars of 10-15 years ago.

 

Great stuff here. Dennis Macchio once told me a story of a guy running Formula Ford, and before the "regular" sessions, he would drive the track at something like 20MPH. Dennis said most of the other competitors goofed out on him, but the idea was so he could get a feel for the track, including potential risk areas, run off, etc.

Point was taken - although I never ran anything competitively (I did get licensed though), I thought this was really the way to do it. Glad to hear your club instituted something similar.

Interestingly enough, I'm a youth soccer coach and I do the exact same thing - I walk the field / pitch to uncover divots, rocks, thick grass and other pitfalls that might otherwise hurt the kids.

 

Peter - won't this engage the steering wheel lock on most modern cars?

 

I haven't instructed in a long time, and frankly don't miss it. It got to the point where it was terrifying sometimes so I quit doing it.

One thing that I see in the current environment is just how amazingly fast a decent sports car is now. I'm relatively young (ok at 41 I like to think I'm young!) and a lot of cars are faster than my first few race cars. You probably can't make everyone start in a Miata or BRZ so they are going slower than say a new 911 RS when they screw up. But it would help.

 

Ive been a ride along instructor for last 2 seasons and had 2 students spin but luckily no damages. Thing i find is students get road rage when slower car doesnt give point by. I now insist student drive thru pit lane and go out in clear without traffic. Keeps things calmer

Also i like idea of discussing things pre drive like what to do if car goes limp mode. (What should you do?) Are there any resources for new instructors? Videos, books, on line info? Im instructing next month for 2 days

 

Not unless you pull out the key...

 

Check this out.... HPDE Instructor Manifesto

I've been riding along/ instructing since '02 and thankfully never an incident or contact with anything. There's a FB group, I'll find the link and send it to you.

 

Thanks
I just ordered download