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Track tuition...how's that work?


TAFKARM

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Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I thought it probably the most relevant.

I'm trying to do a few more track days this year, I'm an 'average' track day driver, I'm not a complete novice but I'm pretty far from a racing God.

I know that tuition is the best way to go faster and I'm keen to develop my skills.

Cut a long story short - how does tuition practically work in a car like mine? I can't hear anything so verbal 2 way comms while on track Isn't really going to work.

Is there much benefit to be gained from having an instructor alongside waving his/her arms around?

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If you had in-car comms. that would help.    A chat every few laps when you have stopped is good enough for most instructors.   Lets face it 10mins with an unknown driver in a tin top on the road or a track driver on the track and an experienced instructor will have a good idea where you are going wrong or going right.

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Could try a motorbike intercom.  I got one from LIDL years ago, a very cheap battery powered one meant for rider and passenger.

 

Otherwise let them show you the lines in your car and use some sign language for feedback when you drive, then stop up every few laps as Bernie suggests.

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Russ,

Whenever I've had tuition the instructors will normally ask if there are any corners you are having problems with or if there there is anything in general that you would like to improve, then they normally ask you to do a few laps with them in the car with you and then to pit. Then they will suggest improvements and either let you put them into pratice yourself or if they have the time, go back out with you and indicate with simple hand signals where you should be placing the car, braking and accelerating.

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I have had two types of instruction.

 

Both times the instructor had an intercom that you wore also.  Simply an ear piece under the helmet so you could hear him.

 

The track instruction was at Cadwell and was mainly focussed on lines.

The airfield instruction was IMHO more useful and focussed on weight transfer and car balance and generating over and understeer. There was plenty of space to spin etc so could really explore the limits

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I've had javelin track day instruction at Anglesey

Hand signals and shouting :)

Worked well :)

It's nothing like when the wife is in the car shouting and waving her arms about ;)

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sounds like it could still be worth while then. Definitely more interested in vehicle dynamics side of things rather than lines that potentially could only be useful for a specific track.

An an side, I can't get on with intercoms, they always fall out of my ear when I've got the helmet on!

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Russ  

 

Try to get along to the Cambs airfield day later in the year

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Most trackdays will have some form of instruction. For example Woodbridge with Javelin have John and he is well accustomed to a Westfield  :t-up:

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I need some tuition as I am rubbish at driving round corners and braking at the right time.  I think i'm fine in a straight line or in a queue waiting for the start…. :)

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.  I think i'm fine in a straight line or in a queue waiting for the start…. :)

I heard you are particularly good in the butty queue. Lol.

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sounds like it could still be worth while then. Definitely more interested in vehicle dynamics side of things rather than lines that potentially could only be useful for a specific track.

Well I see your way of looking at it, but since instruction I use much more of every track I go to not just drive Anglesey better without thinking about it now :)

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I am very good in the nutty queue Shaggy - I even put my car in reverse on the start line at Rockingham….. burger van was behind me :-) 

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