So I was talking to a client/ friend, David Small, and he said he was going to a track event run by “Track Daze”.  He was running in the intermediate run group due to the number of track days he had.  Unfortunately they only had enough instructors to accommodate the beginner and novice groups.  So I signed up to be David’s instructor.   The event was being held at the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point.  This a very technical track, with many turns.  So David’s concern about being solo was well founded.

I contacted Jeremy Jens to let him know my credentials.  He said he would love to have me and I could instruct for David.  So off I go Saturday morning to instruct for a new group in my 75 2002.  I wanted to take the racecar, but the trailer was being used to help move a family member.  But I’m lucky enough to have choices.  Saturday I took the 2002 and Sunday I took the E-46 M3. 

Saturday I only had David as a student.  We worked a lot on vision and smoothness.  He has a great learning attitude and we were making good progress.  Unfortunately there were a couple of incidents that day.  Fritz in his Rx-7 lost his brakes and hit the tire wall at the end of the front straight.  There was a novice student driving with him and he was a little shook up but was OK physically.  The other incident was a WRX driven by a novice student.  He was doing really well and was gaining speed due to the excellent instruction by his instructor.  Unfortunately he carried a little more speed through Big Bend and ended up spinning to the inside wall and really damaging his car.  But both student and instructor were OK.  I felt bad for Jeremy and the Chief Instructor John.  They ran a really tight ship but things like this do happen as rare as this may be.  But they weren’t rattled and took care of everything very professionally.  David and I made good progress with the difficult course.  I gave him some vision exercises he could do daily to help with his vision on the track.

Sunday I had two students.  I picked up a novice student from an instructor that wasn’t feeling well.  His name was AK and he drove a Spec Miata.  I showed him some things to make him faster and smoother.  He was very pleased with the results.  I also gave him a ride around the track in my M3.  He enjoyed that immensely!  What a great handling car!  It still amazes me how well the car gets around a tight track like that with all that weight.

David improved as the day went on and finished the event with a near perfect session.  We both were very happy.  I think I was as happy as he was!   There were a couple more incidents on Sunday.  The worst of the two, being a beautiful new M5, hit the Armco.  The other was just where a Miata rubbed the tire wall.  Just cosmetic damaged done to the Miata. 

I had a great time.  My students and I were able to keep our cars on the track.  The weather was amazing!  What more could you ask for?  I met several people I new.  One being a student I had earlier in the year.  His name was Don and he drives an E-36 M3.  Boy!  He got fast!  Marriam was there doing class instruction.  They are all a really good bunch of people.  I will look forward playing with these guys again.

On a more sober note, I was informed over the weekend a really good friend and mentor was diagnosed with Cancer.  His name is Richard John.  An amazingly good driver, instructor and friend.  He will be starting Chemo therapy.  Our hearts and prayers go out to Richard and his wife Jo Ella.

Next event for me will be with the National Capital group at the Jefferson circuit.  Until then, keep the shiny side up and keep your eyes up!