KeithV wrote:In my opinion (and per the SDR instructor written test by-the-way) cornerworking is a) a great way to watch and learn the right way through a portion of the track versus the wrong (or less efficient) way...
You can do that by walking around the perimeter of the track with your student, and nothing is more direct than driving or being in a car driving the track. I actually have experienced being too involved with explaining something we saw on track to a student while cornerworking, and missed seeing something we needed to respond to coming down the track. It actually isn't a very good time to be "teaching" when you're cornerworking--you need to be focused on the traffic at all times.
b) a good way to contribute back to the club/event
One of many. We need set-up people, logistics people, starters, timing crew, etc. as well. I come every event at 6:30 and work tech inspection, and spend many hours per month volunteering in non-driving event modes, so you can't shame me with that argument...
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Personally, I don’t think that the paid student cornerworkers are a good option because they often show up after the drivers meeting and miss the cornerworking safety meeting, and as a consequence are often not trained in how we (SDR) do it.
That shouldn't happen. Wouldn't take long to train them how we do it, and they certainly shouldn't be on the course without such an understanding. These are smart kids and I'm sure they can learn fast. Glad you are working to make sure that happens.
To me the problem with paid cornerworkers is they are not autocrossers and also have no skin in the game.
Is that right? I thought these kids were from the FSAE team at UCSD? Part of the national FSAE competition is an autocross.
https://www.scribd.com/document/317968244/2017-18-Fsae-Rules-Final[/quote]
Their "skin in the game" is that they don't do a good job, they don't keep the job.
I have been around this game as long as you, Keith, and worked my share of corners. I understand the difficulties involved in paid corner workers for autocross events, and have seen the idea get shot down many times in the past. I understand the idea of a paid crew taking over the full cornerworking duty isn't ever going to fly, but I sure like the idea of having an option to buy a cornerworker to fill in for you once in awhile, and I actually like the idea of supporting the FSAE team as well. I was in particularly bad physical shape from an overdose of yard work at home during the two days before, so I gave them $30 for the first time on Sunday to work corners for me, and I'd do it again under the same conditions. One thing I will never do any more is work tech in the morning and then work corners twice during the day. Sorry.
That's my $0.02,
TT