Instructors at tracks?

[TigerNSX]

Hello,

What is the best way to approach if you are assigned to an instructor who does not have a good fit with your personality?

In my culture, I grew up having been taught to always respect the teachers (instructors are teachers, IMO), and to listen very carefully to what they have to say.

At last event, when my instructor started yelling, making rude comments, and being impatient, I did nothing but saying, "I am sorry." I did not like the way he taught (too aggressive and impatient), and it did not make me feel comfortable driving the car. As a novice, although I tried my best, I was not familiar with a lot of the lines. However, it seemed that he did not understand why I could not follow his instructions, and kept blaming on my ability. In some ways, it ruined my track event.

I am sure that some students may like an aggressive style of instructing. However, that is not the style in which I can advance and develop my skills. Most importanly, it takes the fun away from driving at the track. I am sure that finding the perfect instructor will not always happen. However, I do not want this to happen again.

So my question is, if I am assigned to an instructor who I did not feel comfortable after the first run, what is the best way to appraoch this problem without offending the assigned instructor? After all, we are all there to have a good time, and enjoy the day. I would not want to create an enemy.

P.S. Most of my events are with BMWCCA, and not every instructor is familiar with NSX.

 

[DanO]

Option1, take it and drive like a rock star and hope to get signed off in a few sessions. Let the instructor know that you learn best when you can concentrate fully on the track and would like to be signed off ASAP. Help the instructor by driving a smooth line, acknowledging flags, using pit signals and especially, allowing to be passed and passing in a sportsman’s like manner.

Option2, have a talk with your instructor after your session and explain that his teaching style is not blending well with your learning style and therefore you think that you’re not learning as quickly as you would like. Ask him to consider changing the way he instructs to better suit your learning style.

Option3 (best option IMO), talk to the chief instructor. Voice your concerns in a respectful manner and ask to be reassigned to another instructor. If the instructor is this bad, then it probably won’t come as a surprise to the chief instructor.

Option4, if the instructor is using a communication device, simply unplug your earpiece.

Either way, you might consider writing a brief letter to the event organizer explaining your experiences so that they can consider keeping the person as an instructor.

Instructing
The best drivers do not always make the best instructors. Like you say, good teachers make good instructors. Every driver comes to the track with a different experience level, different learning style and different speed expectations and desires. It is the instructor’s job to try and figure all this out and adjust his/her teaching style to match the driver; usually an instructor can figure all this out before the first turn. Sounds like you got a bum instructor or he was having a bad day. If an instructor is yelling and making rude comments to a student (for whatever reason) then they should be removed from that position—there is no excuse for this behavior. Going to the track is supposed to be a safe, fun escape from the daily grind.

DanO

 

[nsxtasy]

I agree with absolutely everything that DanO says.

One thing that I would add is this. I have heard of quite a few instances in which the student felt that there was a bad fit (personality clash, such as described above) with his/her instructor, but the student stuck with it for the duration of the event and ended with a bad feeling about the entire event. As soon as you think that there's a bad fit, and that it's not likely to get better, ask the chief instructor for a switch IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait. And insist on a switch; don't let them talk you out of it.

At any well-run event, the chief instructor should be happy to make such a change. There should be no embarrassment in doing so. And it is not always a reflection of the instructor's ability; someone may be a good instructor but may have a style that is not conducive to some students, for whatever reason. (Although the behaviors noted above are inexcusable, and it is possible in such cases that the person is NOT good at instructing.)

I also agree with DanO that a letter to the event organizers is a good idea, even weeks after the event has concluded. Most event organizers care about the satisfaction of the participants, and are interested in hearing about experiences so that they can take actions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

 

[TigerNSX]

Thanks so much for your suggestion and advice.

It is comforting to know that it is okay to ask the chief instructor to reassign the instructor. I just don't know how I would react if I encounter the originally assigned instructor after the change has been made.

In most track events, however, I was informed that they usually ran short of instructors. Hopefully, I won't cause any incovenience to them if this happens.

Once again, thanks for your suggestion and time.

 

[nsxtasy]

I just don't know how I would react if I encounter the originally assigned instructor after the change has been made.

Most chief instructors, and most instructors, are aware that often this happens because of a personality clash, and don't take it personally.

Last year, at one of our BMW CCA events, a student asked for a switch of instructors. As it happens, the instructor she was having a problem with is widely regarded as one of the nicest guys around. While it offered the opportunity for some joking among the instructor group, we also all know that sometimes these things just happen. Heck, it's just like in "real life" relationships in our careers, families, etc. Even the nicest people can have a tough time dealing with one particular individual.

In most track events, however, I was informed that they usually ran short of instructors. Hopefully, I won't cause any incovenience to them if this happens.

It shouldn't. When they make a switch, that makes that particular instructor available to instruct someone else who might be having a problem.

Hope things go better for you at future events.

 

[TigerNSX]

Thanks so much for your kind words.

 

[RSO 34]

Hi Tiger,

Make sure you ask for Peter when he is instructing at one of your upcoming events. Don't worry about hurting the feelings of your instructor if you don't click. It could be much worse if the friction or "bad advice" led to you having an "off road" experience. Drive within your personal limits and make it clear to your instructor before the first session what your comfort level is.

 

[TigerNSX]

This may or may not be relevant to this topic, but I have had about 5 days at the same track (NHIS), all with different instructors. They all taught me different lines and braking points, especially at the places which require most attention to detail.

None of them really appreciated it when I said, "I am sorry, but I followed such line since my previous instructor taught me that way."

This is really confusing me.

 

[RSO 34]

I had the same problem when I would get different instructors at each event. I had different lines suggested by the various instructors at the same track and it seems that some of the differences were the result of the type of car and the way it was set up.

I have voiced that concern on more than a few occasions with instructors and after I got enough experience they would see that I could do it their way but ultimately when I had the confidence I politely told them that a different line worked for me.

Hang in there because you have a long way to go still. Unfortunately on occasion I found myself just doing it the way the "instructor of the moment" recommended and after getting signed off going back the line that I felt worked best for me. I also tell each instructor before the first session that I have had various lines described to me but wanted to work toward finding the best for me and my car. Generally if you let them know up front they are more amenable to altering their advice as long as you are driving in a safe, smooth and consistent manner.

 

[TigerNSX]

Hang in there because you have a long way to go still. Unfortunately on occasion I found myself just doing it the way the "instructor of the moment" recommended and after getting signed off going back the line that I felt worked best for me. I also tell each instructor before the first session that I have had various lines described to me but wanted to work toward finding the best for me and my car. Generally if you let them know up front they are more amenable to altering their advice as long as you are driving in a safe, smooth and consistent manner.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful advice. It really is encouraging and helpful.