3 Day School Feed-Forward/Back

[phantomjock]

Greetings all -
Getting close to my 3 Day "Experience" @ Road Atlanta.
Its T-9 days and counting. I was wondering if there is any advice you might share?

Looking for those; "Gee I wish I had...", or, "Man - I I had only thought about..."; or, If I did it all over, I would have..."

I've got my gloves, balaclava, and the nomex long handles are on order. New mount for the GoPro clone due in this week and a few extra HDSD cards. Every day will be a bit like Christmas as "stuff" arrives.

Not looking for any deep philosophical tips, but should I re-read Bently? Spend more time looking at Flags? Or am I "over-thinking" this?
Maybe someone has a checklist of "don't forget these thisngs..."

I really am looking forward to it - just tryiong to be a good Boy Scout!

Thanks Heaps -
Cheers - Jim

[GEORGE]

Jim

You just need to RELAX !! Big time Relax. You WILL Have a stinking BLAST! Even guys on this site who have years of racing experience have vivid memories of their 3 day. I can barely remember some of my races.... but I remember every second of my 3 day class.

I guess my best advice is to come to the first session with no preconceived notions about your driving ability. Be a Sponge and soak up every bit of information you can from the instructors. But also the other class members. The Whole experience is going to mean so much. Don't try to be smarter than the instructors..... You are not. Do engage them for stories..... They have a MILLION! Get the right front seat for the Vanarounds ..... It will help you visualize "Line" "Braking Points" and Apex.

And finally

Make sure you post a BIG Ol' story here and tell us every detail.

George

[cdh]

Originally Posted by GEORGE

... I can barely remember some of my races.... but I remember every second of my 3 day class. George

You got that right George! So true, most fun I ever had at SB.

I'd add to George's items - your hands most definitely follow your eyes....beat this thought into your head, and try stay as far ahead of the car as possible....eyes up and ahead, very important and not as easy as it sounds.

Write down the important points of the feedback you get after each session, helps you to remember it the next time out.

So much fun....I envy you

[phantomjock]

Thanks guys! That was what I was looking for - really. Your words (and Oldracer's too) are very helpful. Like the idea of the ledger/log too.
And now, I can hardly wait - sounds like everything I had hoped for. Now to get through the next week counting down and finally get into it.
Thanks Heaps - and Cheers - Jim

[nyskinsfan]

Definitely try not to over think things. I read everything I could, watched every video, etc. All went out the window within the first 5 minutes

Do try to get to the track early everyday just to breathe it all in and relax before the sessions starrt. Helped to be able to just walk around the grounds and start taking mental pictures of everything.

Steve

[phantomjock]

School "schedule" says 0800- 1700 (5pm). Is the facility open early enough to do a walk around (Road Atlanta - specifically)?

I plan on dropping by day prior the early "Soak-In" suggested. Wow - that makes it T-5/6 and counting. There is some rain in the forecast but that doesn't dampen my spirit. This is going to be AWESOME Fun -- I just know it!!

All my gear is in - Thanks AMAZON (32 GB SD cards)! Found my voice recorder for journal BU. Even engaged my sweetie as some-time trackside photog.

Now if I can only keep from gaining 10 pounds eating at all the fabulous places she has planned in the 4 days prior - I'll even know my suit size!!

(I hope you can tell I'm really excited about this!)

Thanks heaps - Cheers Jim

[PFS]

Well, it looks like tomorrow is the day! You're getting lots of great advice here, and the only thing I'll do is reiterate the previous "relax" suggestions. I'm sure you are pretty amped up about it (you should be!), but the WORST thing you can do is go TFTS on us (Too Fast Too Soon). If you are too jacked up, and maybe you're not, but if you are, relax...belly breathe...find your happy place. A lot of guys come in and feel like they're paying a ton of money for three days of speed, and they go out and try to go as fast as possible in every session to get the most for their money, or to try to impress us, or.... Resist that temptation! Concentrate more on applying the techniques discussed in the classroom, and on being precise to the extreme. Think methodical precision. Speed will be a result of that, and you'll get much MUCH more for your money.

Above all, HAVE FUN!!!!

[cdh]

Originally Posted by PFS

... the WORST thing you can do is go TFTS on us (Too Fast Too Soon). If you are too jacked up, and maybe you're not, but if you are, relax...belly breathe...find your happy place. A lot of guys come in and feel like they're paying a ton of money for three days of speed, and they go out and try to go as fast as possible in every session to get the most for their money, or to try to impress us, or.... Resist that temptation! Concentrate more on applying the techniques discussed in the classroom, and on being precise to the extreme. Think methodical precision. Speed will be a result of that, and you'll get much MUCH more for your money. Above all, HAVE FUN!!!!

SO TRUE - how many times I would return to the pits JUST KNOWING I just laid down my fastest laps of the day because "they felt fast" only to be shocked to see they were among my worst times of the day. What feels fast so often isn't, what seems to be too slow and overly smooth so often nets the best times....happened to me too many times to count. Drive the track, stay ahead, THINK THINK THINK / LEARN LEARN LEARN.

Back to PFS' point, nothing spoils a fun track day like Crash Damage Reports...the worst cha-ching in racing, they REALLY suck

"CD it is expensive and we don't recommend it"

Enjoy, looking forward to hearing your reports.

[cdh]

Saw this posted on FB, seemed to fit here

[phantomjock]

Finished Day One! Awesome time. Autocross exercise then Up/Downshifting with the sequential. Damn Clutch! Still wanted to use it when UP shifting! Old habits die hard - but knocking them off. Started to get it right just in time for some lapping exercises. Good weather - great staff and instructors and making our way up the learning curve. Looking UP - and keep saying the mantra!

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement - this is GREAT! Tomorrow promices more seat time - lapping and acceleration/braking exercises.

Cheers - Jim

[GEORGE]

Ok Everybody
The needle has been inserted
The drug has been injected into the bloodstream.
The racing bug is permanently infused into the bloodstream
The Wallet has been emptied and a Permanent Smile has been affixed to the face!

Job Done.