Jen Crosby's Racing Blog

Tuesday September 12, 2006

Trackday report - Instructing at Brands Hatch!  

Well, yesterday was a different take on a trackday for me! I went to Brands Hatch for the day, but this time to help with instructing! A few weeks ago, when Deb asked me if I'd be interested in doing it I was very hesitant – I've never done anything like that before, and was really worried I'd not be any good at it. But Deb persuaded me, so there I was, first thing Monday morning with and orange jacket on ready to go out and help!

The day was a special ladies/novice day, which is partly why they were looking for extra lady instructors. There were the usual three groups, but this time group one was for first-time trackdayers, group two for those who had done a few, and group three was a sort of inters group. I'd been briefed a little about what my 'duties' would entail by Deb and Red, so I had some idea of how things would go. We all got signed on, and went to the briefing, and then it was straight out for the sighting laps with group one. I made sure I wasn't the first instructor out, as I had no idea of the expected pace really, and I slotted in somewhere in the middle of the pack. The laps were very very slow – fair enough with the amount of first timers, but it feels really weird going around the circuit at that speed. I thought I was going to have to put my foot down at Druids at one stage!

With the sighting laps for each group completed, I had intended to go out immediately in session two with group one, just to get a feel for the group and pick up on anyone who looked like they might be struggling. I'd pulled up in pit lane after group three's sighting laps and switched the bike off while waiting for the remainder of the session to finish, but on trying to start her up again the battery died!! Luckily I'd thought ahead a little and brought a second charged battery – I had a horrible feeling I'd need it, with the bike running total loss. I managed to switch the batteries over, but ended up missing that groups' session 

Once I'd got myself sorted, a rider came up to me and asked whether I'd go out with him in the next session to do his sighting laps, as he'd missed the first session. He also asked whether he could have some instruction for the remainder of the session. My initial thoughts were – panic! I wasn't sure how doing sighting laps whilst in a regular session would go, and for a second I thought I'd better ask one of the experienced instructors to do it instead, but Mark, the organiser seemed happy for me to go and do it. I asked the guy whether it was his first trackday: no (phew) and whether it was his first time at Brands: no (excellent!), so at least he'd know his way around. Out we went, and the sighting laps were fine in amongst the other riders as the pace was still fairly slow. Once we'd completed the two laps I waved him by so I could follow and get an idea of his pace and his lines.

It's a really new thing for me to be riding around watching someone else so closely, and thinking about what they are doing, with a view to be able to both try and demonstrate on track, and also to be able to feedback on it back in the pits. While following, I'm having to break down aspects of their riding: track position, body position, braking and throttle control, and trying to remember what they're doing where so I can show or talk to them about it. At the same time I'm having to negotiate the track myself, and other riders, albeit not at a high speed. I also have to try and gauge their speed accurately enough so then when I'm leading I'm not going to fast or slow for their ability. That's one of the things I was most worried about going into the day, but it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. While leading, I'm having to concentrate on riding really exaggerated lines, so that it's clear what I'm trying to show. I tried to make it so that if there was a specific section of the track I wanted to demonstrate I overtook shortly before the section, and waved them by shortly afterwards, so it was clear which part I was trying to show. Having to take lines like that around the circuit was undoubtedly beneficial to me too, forcing me to be more accurate with apexes and reference points.

With this particular guy, it was pretty clear he's been to Brands before, and he was generally very good on most of the track in terms of lines, except for one section. I spent a few laps showing him that section, and sure enough, by the end of the session he had it nailed. We spoke about that, among other things on returning to the pits and he seemed to be happy with the session. I was really pleased he got to grips with what I'd been trying to show him, that was great! And for the next session with group two, his mate wanted to go and do the same thing – two sighting laps and then some instruction. That session went well too – it took him some time to settle in (well it was his first session of the day!) but by the end of the session with us swapping places a few times, he'd improved hugely!

I spent the next session out just stretching my legs a little in group 3, without instructing anyone. It was nice to get a bit of speed up and clear the cobwebs – after all it was my first time back at Brands since breaking my collarbone. It being the format of trackday it was, the group wasn't very fast, so I came across a fair bit of traffic, and as a result didn't get many flying laps, but I had some good sections, and it was nice to go out with no pressure. For some reason (I guess he was there with Superbike magazine, who were also in attendance) a british supersport rider Cal Crutchlow was also out – he must have felt a bit out of place at that speed! I managed to overtake him on the inside at Clearways though (ok, so he was touring, but there's no fun in telling that part...!)

I went out in another of the group three sessions and had a play with a few of the other instructors, but didn't get approached for more instruction until later in the day. The penultimate group three session I suggested to one of the girls, Lesley, that I go out with her. She'd been doing roughly 60 second laps all day, and was determined to get sub-minute. I was positive I'd be able to drag her round to reach her target. Both of us had cold tyres, and her front tyre needed scrubbing in too, so we agreed that I'd follow her for 5 or so laps, and then overtake her so she could follow. I did that, did a few laps, and then slowed down for her to overtake me again, but she wasn't there!! I spent the next few laps looking for her, but didn't spot her – it turned out that her front wheel had been balanced incorrectly when the tyre was fitted, and it was making the bike really unstable! So we didn't get a chance to get out together again, but huge credit to her – in the last session she managed to put in a superb 57 second lap, and incredible achievement for her first ever time at Brands! Get yourself a race license girl, I expect to see you out there next year!

For the final session of the day Trix had asked me to go out with her and help. We'd already talked about a few things to try during the day, and she'd been out with another instructor in the morning. Before we went out she told me a few places where she'd had problems, so I was all set to go out and work on a few things. As it turned out, the places she thought she was weak were actually really good – all the hard work on those in the previous sessions had clearly paid off! I spent some time trying to demonstrate Paddock Hill and Druids, and our discussion on the return to the pits was really good: I explained the areas where she was good and why, and how she could use those skills in other corners which were weaker – hopefully I've managed to give her some good advice!

I have to admit, I was absolutely shattered at the end of it all! It took lots of concentration and just the sheer amount of time on track really took it out of me. I'm so stiff and sore today too! But, I really enjoyed myself! So much so, that's I'd really like to do some more instructing, and I've asked Focused Events if I can join them on some more track days. I can't wait to get out again – I found it really satisfying and engaging.

( Sep 12 2006, 05:45:34 PM GMT+00:00 )

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