Notices
Racing & Drivers Education Forum
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

When Instructing goes wrong...My story from the right seat

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-13-2014, 06:07 PM
  #46  
Larry Herman
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
Larry Herman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Columbus, NJ
Posts: 10,432
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 996_C4S
Great storytelling but mainly, glad you're OK.

How did the student fare in all this?

I've never driven it but just based on what I read on Rennlist, Summit Point strikes me as a real **** show.
Actually it is a great rhythm track and a lot of fun, with some really challenging turns and elevation changes. The real problem is that #1 it is in a wooded area and #2 there isn't much in the way of guardrails in the sections that offer little runoff. It is a track like you would see in the 60's and 70's.
__________________
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car

CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.

Old 09-13-2014, 06:34 PM
  #47  
Mikelly
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
Mikelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,575
Received 111 Likes on 58 Posts
Default

I contacted the student to thank him for the equipment he had installed in the car for our safety. He informed me he had a mild concussion and had been checked out himself. Luck of the draw, and maybe age/fitness levels, but I never bothered to inform him of my issues.

Honestly, I didn't see the need to contact him 9 days later and say "Hey remember when I chatted with you a week ago and said I was fine? Well, notsomuch..."
Old 09-13-2014, 10:21 PM
  #48  
Ray S
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
 
Ray S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 13,794
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Wow, that's quite a story. You've given me a lot of things to think about.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Old 10-19-2014, 08:37 AM
  #49  
Mikelly
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
Mikelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,575
Received 111 Likes on 58 Posts
Default

Wanted to follow up on this story with TWO important key bits of info...

#1. I checked out and cleared with the docs two weeks ago and can get back into a car. HOORAY...

#2. That instructor that the student claimed "disappeared"? I ran into him on October 3rd and had a long chat with him. As is always the case, there are three sides to a story. I'll leave it at this; The instructor did not disappear. He was assigned for a check-off ride only.
Old 10-19-2014, 11:12 AM
  #50  
Coochas
Rennlist Member
 
Coochas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 01776
Posts: 9,934
Received 402 Likes on 209 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Mikelly
Wanted to follow up on this story with TWO important key bits of info...

#1. I checked out and cleared with the docs two weeks ago and can get back into a car. HOORAY...

#2. That instructor that the student claimed "disappeared"? I ran into him on October 3rd and had a long chat with him. As is always the case, there are three sides to a story. I'll leave it at this; The instructor did not disappear. He was assigned for a check-off ride only.
As for #1, I'm glad you have been cleared to drive again and I hope there are no physical sequelae from your incident.

As for #2, I hope no one was BS'ing you. I also understand the need to withhold details.
Old 10-19-2014, 11:17 AM
  #51  
ChristopherG
Burning Brakes
 
ChristopherG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Great storytelling, glad you're okay. Being the instructor has to be a scary thing. I don't think I'm that trusting.
Old 10-19-2014, 12:15 PM
  #52  
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
ProCoach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Posts: 18,726
Received 2,888 Likes on 1,695 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Larry Herman
Actually it is a great rhythm track and a lot of fun, with some really challenging turns and elevation changes. The real problem is that #1 it is in a wooded area and #2 there isn't much in the way of guardrails in the sections that offer little runoff. It is a track like you would see in the 60's and 70's.
+1

Lots of folks blame the track, but it is a good one and the rhythm section is a great one...

Very glad you're ok. Sounds like a harrowing experience...
__________________
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway























Last edited by ProCoach; 10-22-2014 at 02:06 PM.
Old 10-19-2014, 01:26 PM
  #53  
bella1
Rennlist Member
 
bella1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Virginia Beach VA
Posts: 1,616
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Great News

Originally Posted by Mikelly
Wanted to follow up on this story with TWO important key bits of info...

#1. I checked out and cleared with the docs two weeks ago and can get back into a car. HOORAY...

#2. That instructor that the student claimed "disappeared"? I ran into him on October 3rd and had a long chat with him. As is always the case, there are three sides to a story. I'll leave it at this; The instructor did not disappear. He was assigned for a check-off ride only.
I'm glad you are okay. Thanks for sharing the story. It has provided some excellent back and forth for our instructing community.
Old 10-19-2014, 04:08 PM
  #54  
Carrera51
Race Car
 
Carrera51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Keswick, VA
Posts: 3,881
Received 165 Likes on 102 Posts
Default

Glad you are cleared to get back on the track!

Summit Point is a much more challenging track than you think. Sure, the paddock facilities aren't as nice as some, but have 16 years of driving and racing on it, I still enjoy it and actually learn something new about it that I missed over the years.
Old 10-19-2014, 05:05 PM
  #55  
KevinGross
Rennlist Member
 
KevinGross's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Stow, MA, USA
Posts: 1,481
Received 154 Likes on 101 Posts
Default

Glad to hear you're cleared to get back into to.
Old 10-22-2014, 01:31 PM
  #56  
needmoregarage
Rennlist Member
 
needmoregarage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SW PA, USA
Posts: 4,155
Received 1,330 Likes on 570 Posts
Default

Thanks for sharing and glad you're cleared to get back on the track.
Old 10-22-2014, 04:56 PM
  #57  
vr4henry
Rennlist Member
 
vr4henry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 365
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Geez. Glad everyone turned out OK.

Mike, do you remember that time I melted the **** out of my brakes in my 996TT when you were instructing me at SP?

(Bad combo of too much braking, PFC01s making too much heat, and not enough air)

I was about to go for a pass after T9, would have had to gun it to get around, changed my mind, tapped my brakes for T10 and got back in line. No brakes. T10 was interesting then we coasted around to an access road before T3. My little IR gun measured outside calipers at ~500F. Wheel weights all melted off too.

Had I gone for that pass, that would have been bad. Stock 3pts for us too. Lesson learned on many things, but the GT2 has a rollbar, 6pts, and bucket seats.



Quick Reply: When Instructing goes wrong...My story from the right seat



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 02:53 AM.