I'll second that your teaching method helps.
If you can focus on just one part of the course or just a single input, you'll go quicker.
Photography Credit: Turtleshark Shooter
Photography Credit: Turtleshark Shooter
No, no issues with the event itself. I didn’t get protested. No one lost my times.
I was simply the only driver in my class this weekend, at a rather hot event hosted by our local Martin Sports Car Club at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. I saw 98 degrees (not the band) on the Golf’s dash.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
While this Central Florida club has operated independently since its 1960 formation, a few years back it adopted the SCCA’s classing structure. While I appreciated Martin’s own take on autocross classing, the move has since made it easier for those of us who hop between the two groups. Plus, now, I only have one set of class magnetics to lose/leave at home. (I remembered them but, as you might have noticed, forgot my GRM signage.)
Thanks to this consolation, whether running with the SCCA or Martin Sports Car Club, our Volkswagen Golf GTI project car lands in Street Touring H, generally home of turbocharged hot hatches–more or less.
Unlike the SCCA, though, Martin doesn’t bump up drivers should a class only have one entrant. Something else Martin does that’s unique: It awards its annual Tiger championship to the club’s overall points winner. This adds another competition element, with drivers in different classes and different types of cars able to vie for year-end honors. Plus–as I recall, at least–the Tiger champ gets a cool shirt with their name on it. I haven’t gotten one. At least not yet.
Back to this past Sunday. I was the only STH car, meaning I was guaranteed a win. A win is a win, right? Yes, the results show me in first place.
So, how’d I lose? To be honest, my driving wasn’t exactly podium-quality. Blame the heat. Blame the move to a different tire. Blame the fact that I ran hours after walking the course.
Really, though, blame the driver: I was too timid on the first run, and by the time I got my head together, my tires were halfway to a liquid state. (What happens when you brake too late? Yup, pushed through the tight left-hander after the slalom.)
But that win in the end? While I was helmeted up and awaiting a run, the grid worker–also the board chair of our local SCCA Solo group–asked me to work with a novice.
Did I mind helping and riding along? Could I give them a few pointers and maybe instill some confidence?
Let me grab my helmet.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
My MO when working with novices: Keep them safe, remind them that it’s supposed to be fun, and find one thing that we can correct. Too much info, I figure, will overwhelm the mind, so let’s work on one big improvement that will shed time and result in some quick success.
My other goal: Make them want to return to the next event, ideally with a friend in tow.
I can’t say whether it was the instruction or his own instincts, but the novice shaved a few seconds after that run. He was smiling and–the big thing–planning on returning.
So that represents my big win of the day. These days, helping the next generation–while having fun, of course–represents a higher achievement than any trophy.
I'll second that your teaching method helps.
If you can focus on just one part of the course or just a single input, you'll go quicker.
Sounds like a lovely day!
Two points I like to make when I'm announcing at these events (missed this one), you're always faster than everyone who stayed home, and novices are the most important people at the event.
Good work.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:you're always faster than everyone who stayed home
That deserves a t-shirt or a bumper sticker.
In reply to Colin Wood :
Thanks. I totally stole that idea from JG.
Colin Wood said:Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:you're always faster than everyone uwho stayed home
That deserves a t-shirt or a bumper sticker.
Glad to contribute
CrustyRedXpress said:Sounds like a lovely day!
This is my favorite part of autocross, by far. Watching the new kids get into it, and start brainstorming how to ensure they can continue to do it (planning on better jobs, education opportunities, etc), it's always a treat.
It's still weird when I get called "sir" though, and while I appreciate good manners, it makes me realize... yeah... I'm definitely no spring chicken anymore haha.
We had a new guy Saturday, in a dune buggy built over a Corvair chassis. He looked to be in his 70s I'd guess. I watched him run while I worked, he was very timid on the gas and the first few runs he struggled like missing gates and Chicago Boxes.
In the afternoon I was happy to see him get a bit more adventurous and seemed to have at least figured out the course. When I left I made sure to stop and talk to him, ask him if he had a good time. We ended up talking for about 5 minutes about the car, he had just made some major changes to the chassis and engine so he was also kind of testing everything out.
But I remember my 1st event and how a few members talking to me made me feel like coming back, even if I had no idea what I was doing in my '06 Scion xB with the auto.
In reply to Jerry :
Yeah, good to make people feel welcome.
I recently had a first-timer who barely knew what autocross was. He had gotten to a point in life where he treated himself to a Porsche SUV. It replaced a Mitsubishi, IIRC.
He was basically going down the entire PCA calendar and entering everything: drives, social gatherings and, yes, autocross.
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