130 car cutoff for August 07 AX?

[John Straub]

Oh that was close....



John

[mad wombat]

Thanks registration crew too!!

[jenniferreinhardt]

You're welcome Rohan!

I don't think we need a 130 limit on cars at an AX - only on non-PCA members X-Cars proportional to Porsches, as well as a limit on Students when we have Instructor shortages. I would be irritated if I were an X-Car guy and was told the day of the event that I can't run because of too many X-Cars. I would appreciate knowing ahead of the event and think much more of the Porsche club for their consideration.

BTW, we have 48 Instructors registered and only 22 have indicated they will instruct! What does that say? Anyone care to offer their thoughts, suggestions?

[Ralph]

I can't speak for others, but I need to do some car setup and take some time to instruct my wife. I have been neglecting her the last few events and taking other students instead. Happy wife..happy life!

[Don Middleton]

BTW, we have 48 Instructors registered and only 22 have indicated they will instruct! What does that say? Anyone care to offer their thoughts, suggestions?

Jennifer, this is a very good subject for another Topic because it has become a real challenge for the Club. But, for now, I would say that there as many good reasons to not instruct as there are instructors who decide not to instruct. Event instructing, as we all know, can be time consuming and rather hectic for someone with other thoughts or obligations at the event. I think it's time to focus on what we might do to encourage instructors at any given event to volunteer to instruct. Thoughts and ideas to that end would be very welcome. Creative minds please jump in...

[CrashBrown]

Hmm, on a side note. What does the registration crew prefer . . . donuts or chocolate?

Just asking!

[jenniferreinhardt]

Hmm, on a side note. What does the registration crew prefer . . . donuts or chocolate?

Just asking!

Thanks for being nice!

Thanks Ralph for sharing one valid reason for asking for a break from Instructing. Don, the board discussed how to motivate Instructors last night and would appreciate input from all involved.

[Jad]

What about ALL non-instructors who have done 4 events do the corner working stint with the student, not the instructor. They know enough to be safe and help corner working. Corner working is a great learning experience, but a real time draw on the instructor, especially when you do it twice. I think that is the major issue, not the in car instructing.

Jad

[jenniferreinhardt]

That is a good idea Jad. If Kim, who developed the schedule, doesn't see this thread, I'll tell him about it at the AX. Another idea is to just go out with our Students for 15 minutes or so until they've got the hang of it, observing and noting other cars' mistakes and/or good techniques, as well as making sure to teach them about how to safely and correctly corner work and CALL in cones one day. Yes, it is a great teaching tool, but it is a pain to work 2 sessions.

This subject has been unspoken for far too long. And, it is a frustration when we are doing registration. (I don't envy the CDIs that have the tough job of having to get the shortage of Instructors solved in a rush the morning of the AX).

Here are a few of the items I feel would be motivating...

Motivated by feeling part of a valued Instructor group.
Not selfless and like a break from instructing sometimes.
Like that new shirt or cap at the PDS - but a different style each year - (those who don't, can opt out!).
Don't want to feel like I'm being tested all the time because it spoils the fun. Although, group meetings concentrating on Instructor techniques would be great, (in addition to that meeting before the PDS).

It would be good if we had other thoughts/ suggestions...

[Jad]

And maybe students should be required to spend 1 session HELPING the instructor corner work to pay for their lesson, learn more, and make corner working more enjoyable for the instructor (depending on the student )

[Don Middleton]

Not really a solution, but something to keep in mind. I much prefer instructing at TTs and DEs over AXs. The corner working is the difference. I appreciate that Steve McKay, AX Corner Working Chair, tries to keep the instructors from having to do double duty, but it is almost impossible for him to pull off on the Q's larger west lot tracks. If instructors didn't have to corner work, they would be begging to instruct. Of course, as the say, "...when pigs fly..."...

[Jad]

I am not saying they don't corner work, just that they don't have to do it TWICE. As a former corner working chair, I know the problems, but spending nearly 3 hours corner working because you VOLUNTEER to teach someone to drive, is a major part of the problem.

[Kim Crosser]

That is a good idea Jad. If Kim, who developed the schedule, doesn't see this thread, I'll tell him about it at the AX. Another idea is to just go out with our Students for 15 minutes or so until they've got the hang of it, observing and noting other cars' mistakes and/or good techniques, as well as making sure to teach them about how to safely and correctly corner work and CALL in cones one day. Yes, it is a great teaching tool, but it is a pain to work 2 sessions.

I see this thread.
The schedule has nothing to do with whether instructors or experienced drivers/students corner work with inexperienced students. The schedule is only about which run groups drive vs corner work. As long as the "mentors" are either in the same run group as the student or in the "instructor" color run group for that student group, there is no problem. (e.g., if a student is in Blue, then they can corner work with anyone in either Blue or Red and not perturb the schedule.)
The only problem with pairing is that Blue (or Green, or Yellow) group drivers are often mostly students with limited experience, and "borrowing" Red (or White, or Orange, respectively) drivers just creates a problem when that group needs to corner work. However, if there are some other drivers in the student group that have enough experience, those drivers could be paired with the novices for corner working. Steve McKay has done that for me several times when I am both instructing and trying to take care of timing stuff.

When I have a student who has some experience but might need a "check ride" for corner working, I have gone out for the first run group and then left them once I am confident they are safe and understand their duties.
There are no rules that say an instructor must stay out on a corner with their student for a full session - that should always be the decision of the instructor as to the capability of the student. HOWEVER - that said, if it is the first time that a student has ever done corner working, I would never leave them out on their own.

[John Straub]

Jad + 1!

John

[Greg Phillips]

Any ideas for my chances of registering on the day???

I think chances are good that the 130 limit will not be exceeded Sunday. I only see 125 pre-registrations, and there are always some people who sign up but don't come down on the day of the event. Add them to the 5 places still free, and I think there will be room for possibly a dozen people to register on the day of the event. Both you and Dan should come on down!

TT

So after all the drama, we had only 104 drivers (looking at BRI report)
Did not see all that many 912s listed either.

Greg