May 8th Drivers' School Observations

[SharkD]

I'll admit that my complaint about time is really a hard one to address -- it's not feasible to run four groups (which would cut down the time it takes to grid-up, but at the same time, it would shorten the overall track time for each student) -- I know that BSR's neighbors are constantly complaining about any instance where there's cars on the circuits after 4:59pm (with the exception of 12 hours at the Point).

People will gripe if you make them grid up early and then wait too long in the grid; people will gripe if you give them only 3 minutes' warning to grid. Honestly, points #1 and #4 are by far the least of my concern.

Much more important to me are the safety-related points -- the slightly disorganized drivers meeting (which got almost all of the critical points across, just not as clearly as some meetings in the past), the cursory tech line (and lack of signatures) and the dry skidpad (which, again, is more a BSR issue than an NCC issue).

BTW, honestly, if need be, I'll chip in $40 of the $100 cost for a set of track flags, if the chapter needs a dedicated classroom set. Raf/Steven/Bill -- just shoot me a PM telling me how to donate the $$.

As for the tech line gripe -- it would almost be better to have no tech at all than the cursory check from Sunday (that way no one could blame the NCC for missing something). I don't expect the tech line to diagnose a failed motor mount or a bad cv joint, but it is there to remind us of the little things we might forget in a rush: shop rags left in the engine compartment, clean windshield, floor mats, loose lugs, junk in the trunk, etc. In the early morning rush to get to the track and into the tech line, less-experienced and even more-experienced student can be forgetful about these little things. I just want to make sure that someone's simple oversight doesn't lead to an on-track incident that could restrict the Chapter's ability to run such superb drivers' schools.

Overall, Sunday was an extremely well-run, informative and fun school -- and for that I thank Bill, Doug, Steve, Adil, the corner workers and the instructors for their time, enthusiasm and effort.

[Phat Ham]

When I went through tech inspection on Saturday they checked my trunk, under the hood, and the interior. They also checked the lugnuts and signed my inspection sheet. On top of that my instructor went over the car with me to make sure everything was in order.

Sunday's tech inspection did seem a little more lax, and was definitely quicker. I can't remember if they checked lugnut torque, but they did check under the hood, in the trunk, and the interior.

In my run group there was a good bit of confusion with flags. My group was on the track right after the oil/antifreeze spill, and 3 or 4 of us were black flagged for passing on a debris flag. While ultimate responsibility lies with me, the driver, I feel like I wasn't totally to blame since my instructor told me to pass. From what I understand the same thing happened with the other 2 or 3 cars who were black flagged, along with the car giving the point by.