As a Coach with HOD, I agree that this guy was both inappropriate and not representative of the coaching staff. Hope you've come back to HOD, would be glad to drive with you.
As a long term instructor, I'm ashamed at this guy's "instructing". What a total Putz. I hope he was never asked back. BTW: These guys are usually the ones I lap multiple times during a session - all show, no go instructors.
Wow... I forget the "rule" sometimes of wide line entering the track, but the rest of your driving was pretty darn OK for LAP1... did he expect to be riding with a seasoned race car driver? I'm guessing this is the B group... totally lamesauce and not the typical Hooked On Driving experience.
You should have said Dan your a dumb ass mofo and busted a E-brake and made him crap himself. And then told him to gtfo mid course. What a pompos duche bag that wana be instructor was . Your driving looked a little jerky but fine to me nothing warentine the instructor to abandon ship.
Dude I’m amazing how calm you are, I will be already yelling on this idiot, he didn’t tell you a single thing, his comments was useless and offending. Nice job getting his ass fired.
What a jerk, He only rides with you for one lap and gives you no help just pointless insults. You didn't look bad at all, sure your line could use a few tweaks but thats what the instructor is supposed to do. I think he was just a wuss with a chip on his shoulder.
I was hoping to see your fist come across the screen, thoroughly knocking the shit out of him. What a prick. Your driving looked fine by me, especially for an amateur.
As an instructor we have the right to get out of the car if feeling uncomfortable, but this guy was a total jerk. Even if you weren't smooth or on the perfect line (didn't get that from the video though), his job is to...duh...instruct and provide guidance. Hope this doesn't deter you from doing more events in the future.
According to the video, you did a great job. I have to ask, is this a hoax? your driving seems fine, the instructor is horrible. If this was your first event, what is this instructor expecting....Mario Andretti?
This instructor is a pillock, he is giving this track a bad reputation, i know this track does a mighty fine job with all of their instructors, but this guy is a disaster.
Seems like this "instructor" doesn't know that someone can take multiple lines while racing and still achieve the same lap time of even a better one If had him face to face I would tell him that a 10 year old that has played granturismo for a month would have more experience than he does!!!
I thought you did pretty damn good and did it smoothly. What a jerk that guy was. I'm so glad he didn't ruin the experience for you. I wonder how many people he's discouraged before you. He doesn't belong there.
To use the word "instructor" is a misnomer as he has no clue what he is doing. I have been an instructor for 3 years for NASA, PCA, Mazda and multiple other car clubs and this guy has no business in the right seat. I hope he reads these comments and takes them to heart. You did fine and Kudos to the HOD staff for handling this unfortunate situation.
I think this instructor was just trying to sound important, it was clear he didn't know what he was talking about, or he would've been able to offer helpful advice. Your driving was fine, I've got hundreds of hours of high performance driving seat time, and rest assured, you're doing outstanding for your first track day.
Wow... words cannot express how much of a toolbag that guy is.. then he tells you go to the pit and gets out the car as if you did something wrong... Glad he got fired...
Weird... I HAVE to know this guy's reasoning now. His behavior is so totally baffling and uncalled for, that I really, really want to know his side of the story. Not that there is one, but his assumptions getting in the car must have been TOTALLY different than the driver's.
Kudos to David @ HOD for taking care of this.. I would have loved to have been there for that conversation..
what a douche for giving you all that crap on your warm up lap, I was scratching my head trying to figure out what he was complaining about, your line and smoothness seem fine to me.
damn, you only got to turn 7 and he was asking to get out? he didnt even observe a full lap, nor did he give you the opporitunity to accel or show improvement. only thing that was a big no-no was the blitz to the apex in turn 1, but i am sure you know what it is all about now and will never do that again. i have seen a TON of bad accidents @ trackdays car and motorcycles.. good luck, and good motoring.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Im sorry but you need to learn to drive. I dont drive a mazda but I doubt the OE clutch is more technical then stage III or 5 setup. The instructor's message was ACCURATE, just wasnt sugar coated. You did not go to learn the track, you just wanted to go fast. I am learning myself but damnaaamman.. Look into open session when you dont risk a passenger.
I own an '08 MS3 too, and I feel for you on this one. I would absolutely love to go to a track day - but not with an asshat instructor like that.
He thinks your shifts were 'jerky' and you weren't being 'smooth'? Did he realize that the MS3 with its on-off clutch is one of the most difficult cars to shift smoothly that you can buy? I'd like to see him just try to start the car rolling in first gear...I guarantee he would stall it immediately.
Don't let him get you down, keep loving your car :)
Shouldn't use profanity in the first few seconds of meeting a student.
Without my driving this track you seemed to do okay enough for the first lap out.
My guess for the T 1 "apex issue" is to separate fast and pitting out traffic (ala - blend line) but both vehicles should match speed in T1 by turn in, because both would occupy the track out area at the same time regardless of line into T1.
Good luck, don't let this guy discourage you in the future.
Came here from Jalopnik. I'm glad to hear that the instructor got what he deserved. You did way better than I would have done my first time. Thank you Social Media for teaching a-holes accountability!
Without repeating others' comments, which I echo, all I have to say is that I hope you keep up the commitment for some more seat time (99% of instructors are great) and don't get discouraged. See you on track soon!
Sorry. I missed the part of the video where he was being taught and there was an opportunity to learn. Considering the "instructor" sitting next to him he did fine.
wow dude..you were doing really good for your first day...Instructor probably was pissed cause he couldn't drive as well as you did on your first day ...HAHAHA
Dude this guy was a prick. I would have immediately filed a complaint and brought the video to the event organizer. This guy should NEVER instruct again.
i did not see anything wrong with your driving. instructor is a total AHole.. you should have capture his face so we all can see who he is. glad i only take my motorcycle to THill and not my car.
It seems like everyone has the same opinion. I can't disagree. That's a real shame you had him as an instructor. My instructors have always been great. Now I know why they are receptive to changing instructors at these HPDE's.
wow who does this dick think he is, micheal schumacer? i woud have seriously confronted this guy later that day. you seemed to be doing just fine, especially for your first day out there. i wouldn't take ridicule like that from some unknown instructor, kudo's to u for not punchin him out, and making him walk to the paddock. i would only take that from a driving legend, but i doubt even the stig would hassle someone lke that.
I don't get it, this was the first lap of your first session and you're stuck behind a slower car and this guy is jumping your sh** about apexes?
The driving line looked fine to me. There is no excuse for that sort of criticism on any driver, especially one that hasn't had a chance to learn the track layout yet. I've seen plenty of jackass heroes in the noob group and been one myself, but that vid was far from it.
Not smooth? Does the "instructor" race a Cadillac deVille? I bet he's single.
Seriously bravo for keeping your cool. I know what it's like at your first track event. Adrenaline gets pumping and you don't drive as well as you do once you get a little comfortable.
I would have snapped halfway into the lap and probably asked "hey asshole, did they teach you how to walk back to the hot pit?".
Holy cow this instructor is (WAS! ha!) terrible. I'm glad you posted it- I think a lot of first time drivers would be discouraged and think they were so bad they shouldn't even attempt to improve.
I went to an auto-x school in november, So Cal Region SCCA, the instructors were very nice...they were good, but they didn't expect you to rock out of the gate, they explained everything, and never had an attitude, opposite of this., This guy is an ASSHOLE, why does he even bother?
To hell with respecting him for getting out of the car. That guy shouldn't be allowed to toilet train his own children, let alone instruct somebody on a race track.
You should have taken the opportunity to tell him to eat your ass after he got out in the pits.
Not bad for the first time on track... I've been tracking for 8 years now and you can't judge someone on the first lap or the first 10 laps. Let them warm up, get a feel of the track the comment. This guys was useless and mentally challenged, move on with a smile man, you get weirdos like that once in a while... :-)
I had a similar experience in a RallyX course. The first instructor just lectured me and kept telling me he had a worse car but could do way better. He also kept telling me I needed to be not so jerky with the wheel. He then told me he to drop him off and find him a different instructor. That was a blow to my morale in my 1st time. 2nd instructor, who wasnt even working but saw the ordeal, rocked--told me my style was to rock the wheel to get the car where i wanted it to go and to work with it
What the heck. This guy was pretty smooth and not reckless, especially for a first timer. A mazdaspeed 3 rides pretty rough and there was very little camera movement of jerkiness.
Some people should never teach. Dan is now famous for proving that his personality, while completely appropriate for auditioning for a blockhead character in a cartoon, is sadly and utterly valueless in the realm of teaching and instruction.
He deserves what he's gotten - getting FIRED in shame.
Wow. I thought this was a joke, or some fictional example of bad instructing. It's completely unacceptable to have that attitude towards a student, and you seemed to be doing mostly good anyway.
This instructor just had no reason to fault this guys driving. sometimes i wonder if people like him just take out their frustrations on others because of some rubbish that is going on in their personal life. Who knows eh? All in all the driver was real patient for not decking the instructor.
As an instructor for 15 years, I don't really know what to make of this. At first I thought "Dan" just had a bad sense of humor, but now I'm convinced he was just in over his head, and was scared. Hope we learn more.....
jesus, if that instructor had been as big a jerk to me as he was to you, and then told me he was getting out of the car in the pits - I would've pulled to the outside of the track and let him out there. What a jackass - and while the lap was far from perfect - it was even further from terrible.
My second instructor was almost a quarter that bad, and I hated it. Speeches on pointless crap. I ran slower on the same track with that guy than my first ever track day because I had to alter my driving to suit him. I would have told that guy's instructor to get the hell out of my car. We gotta keep assholes out of the sport.
i've read through the comments, so i know "Dan" is no longer representing their organization, but regardless of that he owes you an apology, imo...it's one thing to let a guy go because he's a crank, it's one level of civility above that to have him admit what he did was wrong...that would bring greater satisfaction than just letting him go, imo...
Are you kidding me? That lap looks pretty smooth from the video and while I've never driven there clearly he's hitting the turn in, apex, and exit cones pretty consistently.
I sure hope this video has been seen by the lead instructors for this day...
This guy was a total tool. I'm glad you got a different instructor after this and enjoyed the rest of your day. And you definitely handled it better than I would have because I probably would have tied him to the bumper and drug him around the next lap...so he could see up close and personal when I missed the line. What a prick.
What an Asshole. I think I would just pulled over and said walk back. I bet some other driver said something to him before he got into the car. He shouldn't be an instructor. He said I don't want to deal with him at the last part. What a jerk. It was his job to deal with drivers like this driving the car. It looked good me man. To the driver next time go as fast as you can and have the Asshole jump out at the apex. :)
I've been instructing track events for 6 years, and I'll echo revlimiternet's comments: The "instructor" in this video doesn't appear to have the faintest idea what to do from the right hand seat. If he displayed even 1/10 of that kind of attitude at our school he'd have been sent packing.
If you don't approve of the student's line/smoothness/whatever, there are constructive ways of conveying so which will result in learning and a far more pleasant environment.
I've been an instructor for 6 years. A solo2 novice instructor for all of those, but an occasional track instructor as well. I've also run a couple of track days as head instructor.
I would have thrown this "instructor" out of my novice program immediately. He would have been working a corner or flag stand for the rest of the day.
Glad you weren't turned off to amateur motorsports completely buy this... guy. There ARE some of us out there that try really hard to help our students have fun.
To all you bashers - until you have instructed, you should keep your comments to yourself. The driver should NOT have gone so fast out of the hot pits was the first miscue. You should approach the start/finish stand and wait for a thumbs up. Then, of course, you don't apex T1 at Thunderhill when you come out from the hotpit.
Since you said this was your first event, you should have waited for a point by sign from the driver in the red car. That is also not a beginner's passing zone.
The acceleration through the hot pits was how we were getting onto the track all day. The cars in front of me were also accelerating down the hot pit onto the straight. They are already in Turn 1 while I'm still in the hot pit. Its not possible to go that far ahead without accelerating. I did make a mistake at T1, which is referenced in the description.
Also, the driver in the Red Cobalt SS did do a point by. This was a designated passing zone.
Slow down asshole... are you scott, or Dan?? What instuctors calls a 1st time student , asshole? YOU (instuctors) have to assume he knows jack about the line, apex, brake points... so correct him without being a dick - Dick. Hell, even instructors are bashing him for his "instructing" here...
I've been an instructor for 9 years and I find this idiots comments disturbing. Perhaps you could have taken it a little easier in the first couple of corners to get some heat in the tires but your line seemed pretty good. It is the instructor's responsibility to be able to communicate with his student. If he just bought a full -face helmet he damn well better pick up a chatter-box so the student can hear him. He seemed to have a problem with you when he asked your name!
if you had been to thunderhill with HOD, you would know that they don't wait at the start/finish stand. drivers accelerate out of the hotpit, and he wasn't even going that fast out of the hotpit.
though i should said that, yes, the driver shouldn't have apexed T1 right out of the hot pit.
i've attended several HOD events at thunderhill, and i would've talked to dave right afterwards. kudos to the driver for keeping his cool.
John was doing very well for his first track day. I am amazed that he did keep his cool after being insulted at every corner. Hooked On Driving's mission is to make sure that the students have a pleasant experience. We encourage the students by praising their progress, and not criticize every little mistake. Please don't judge HOD by this one instructor . I know David will take appropriate action to make sure this doesn't ever happen again!
what's this asshole's name? he should be banned from instructing., fwiw, i've never driven thunderhill but your driving didn't look bad at all. don't be discouraged, keep it up.
Im VERY impressed by how cool you kept, I would not have pulled in and gone one more lap as fast as I could just to get back at him. For a first track day you were doing quite well!
what!?!??! I found that very smooth...and your shifts were pretty good actually....it seems that instructor was afraid that you drove better than him ;)
This is David from HOD again - Folks, I had hoped to deal with this internally, but it is what it is, and this lap certainly does NOT reflect any of the HOD culture. I remain very proud of our coaching crew that continually gets high ratings from our customers. Subsequently, the coach from this video is no longer a part of the HOD team.
Don't sweat it too much David. You're doing the right thing. Social media wildfire burns fast and hot, and you can't extinguish it, but you can mitigate it, even turn it to a brand positive, by doing what you're doing: Get out in front of it, show that it's an anomoly, and make clear the steps you're taking to ensure it stays that way. Toyota could use this as a lesson :D
Your driving was fine. "Slow down asshole" that's a really great way to start a session. Come and try NASA. We have a lot of good instructors in norcal. Although HOD should be giving you some free track days for this debacle.
Hey there, I drive a Mazda6 touring car in World Challenge (#57)... If you ever make it down to SoCal for a NASA event I'd be happy to meet you there and be your instructor. Sounds like HOD is taking care of the issue and I'm glad you enjoyed your time on the track outside of this incident.
For your FIRST Time out -- assuming that the cones are the Apex and Exit Markers you good a good job trying to hit them considering you've never been on that track before. You should definately post the club name and the name of the instructor and send this video TO them.
This guy was *NOT* an instructor. Considering you've never been on the track an instructor would have taken the wheel and shown you it. But then would be positive, not a douche bag like this guy is.
you should post his name , he deserve it. Or the organization name. SO they can take care of him :) Im sure they dont want to have anybody like him around.
why this guy is an instructor? I simply would report him and throw out of my car. He is an opposite what the instructor should be. Who the hell want to go back to the track after him? Its a big minus for the organization.
It does take a lot of intestinal fortitude to instruct... it's a bit like a blind date, kinda taking your life in your hands :p That said, I've been with FAR worse than you and kept my composure. Sounds like this dude was just in over his head. Your driving looked fine, (but a little polish on your lines wouldn't hurt :) )
What a a bumbass instructor... not all cars have the same line. You should post his name so people will AVOID him and so he wonders why clubs aren't asking him to instruct.
As a Coach with HOD, I agree that this guy was both inappropriate and not representative of the coaching staff. Hope you've come back to HOD, would be glad to drive with you.
rsachs 4 months ago
I agree with MAubele. I thought your lines were spot on, as well as your shifts.
sixstanger00 4 months ago
As a long term instructor, I'm ashamed at this guy's "instructing". What a total Putz. I hope he was never asked back. BTW: These guys are usually the ones I lap multiple times during a session - all show, no go instructors.
cl65captain 5 months ago
I hope that instructor is flipping burgers now.
bump909 6 months ago
Wow... I forget the "rule" sometimes of wide line entering the track, but the rest of your driving was pretty darn OK for LAP1... did he expect to be riding with a seasoned race car driver? I'm guessing this is the B group... totally lamesauce and not the typical Hooked On Driving experience.
Vanderkitten 6 months ago
You should have said Dan your a dumb ass mofo and busted a E-brake and made him crap himself. And then told him to gtfo mid course. What a pompos duche bag that wana be instructor was . Your driving looked a little jerky but fine to me nothing warentine the instructor to abandon ship.
SuperNobama1 6 months ago
Dude I’m amazing how calm you are, I will be already yelling on this idiot, he didn’t tell you a single thing, his comments was useless and offending. Nice job getting his ass fired.
cyborgxcz 8 months ago
can you say douche bag instructor, he did not even "instruct". You should post his name on the video so all of us never have to deal with him.
scoobyjdmd 9 months ago
What a jerk, He only rides with you for one lap and gives you no help just pointless insults. You didn't look bad at all, sure your line could use a few tweaks but thats what the instructor is supposed to do. I think he was just a wuss with a chip on his shoulder.
elirentz 9 months ago
I loved his comment "I'm not used to wearing a full-face helmet". When was the last time this joker drove a race car? 1965?
fastdad07 1 year ago 2
I was hoping to see your fist come across the screen, thoroughly knocking the shit out of him. What a prick. Your driving looked fine by me, especially for an amateur.
Ynnekdude 1 year ago
I race semi-pro and that looked pretty good to me. Don't let that one guy discourage you.
grega99 1 year ago
That guy has no right to be an instructor. Hopefully he's no longer on the track "instructing" people.
enigmaNSX 1 year ago
Disappointing to see. I hope you had a better experience later in the day.
lonepatrone 1 year ago
As an instructor we have the right to get out of the car if feeling uncomfortable, but this guy was a total jerk. Even if you weren't smooth or on the perfect line (didn't get that from the video though), his job is to...duh...instruct and provide guidance. Hope this doesn't deter you from doing more events in the future.
Dave
GoAheadTakeTheWheel 1 year ago
That looks pretty smooth to me ...
wow0yunnies 2 years ago
give us this instructor's name. we need to make sure we can avoid him no matter what event he's instructing at.
ms3bani 2 years ago 6
According to the video, you did a great job. I have to ask, is this a hoax? your driving seems fine, the instructor is horrible. If this was your first event, what is this instructor expecting....Mario Andretti?
Unreal.
Renntag 2 years ago
Who's making the "They didn't teach you smooth" shirts? I'm in for 2...
jacob300zx 2 years ago 4
If I had that instructor I would have stopped on the backstretch and forced him out.
GOdupont24 2 years ago
This instructor is a pillock, he is giving this track a bad reputation, i know this track does a mighty fine job with all of their instructors, but this guy is a disaster.
kippo 2 years ago 3
Seems like this "instructor" doesn't know that someone can take multiple lines while racing and still achieve the same lap time of even a better one If had him face to face I would tell him that a 10 year old that has played granturismo for a month would have more experience than he does!!!
NotechRX7 2 years ago
I wouldn't know smooth or jerky for racing, but it seemed pretty darn smooth to me at the speeds you were doing.
Haarmonics 2 years ago
That guy has no business being an instructor.
DuramaxDonovan 2 years ago
I thought you did pretty damn good and did it smoothly. What a jerk that guy was. I'm so glad he didn't ruin the experience for you. I wonder how many people he's discouraged before you. He doesn't belong there.
mmzpop 2 years ago
What an ass. Kudos to you for remaining calm while he was pushing your buttons. I would have been furious!
johnniebwoy 2 years ago 2
To use the word "instructor" is a misnomer as he has no clue what he is doing. I have been an instructor for 3 years for NASA, PCA, Mazda and multiple other car clubs and this guy has no business in the right seat. I hope he reads these comments and takes them to heart. You did fine and Kudos to the HOD staff for handling this unfortunate situation.
76Z06 2 years ago
You were'nt doing that bad. What a prick.
GTDriver55 2 years ago
bad sex last night?!?
Stummel01 2 years ago
assholes like this ruin racing
chrismodiano 2 years ago
Worst instructor ever. Entered in the running for worst person ever. What a loser.
msweeney3056 2 years ago
I think this instructor was just trying to sound important, it was clear he didn't know what he was talking about, or he would've been able to offer helpful advice. Your driving was fine, I've got hundreds of hours of high performance driving seat time, and rest assured, you're doing outstanding for your first track day.
casefc3s 2 years ago 2
Guess this instructor will find out how smooth the unemployment line is. lol.
nothGhost 2 years ago 9
The instrctor is a straight up piece of shit.
xxxmyranxxx 2 years ago 5
You don't know about SMOOTH!?
lol classic.
absurdparadox 2 years ago
The worst about this is when he says "If you wanna put another instructor in here, then you can....but I dont wanna be in here..."
Asshole! If u want out fine, but don't try and kill the poor guy's chances of getting another instructor.
Nice driving man!
sauga07 2 years ago
Nice lines....Great driving...
Cypern 2 years ago 4
Dude, that guy was a total dick. Smooth as you could be for a first timer, and lines were solid, especially for a novice.
MAubele 2 years ago 16
Wow... words cannot express how much of a toolbag that guy is.. then he tells you go to the pit and gets out the car as if you did something wrong... Glad he got fired...
ironmb86 2 years ago 6
Weird... I HAVE to know this guy's reasoning now. His behavior is so totally baffling and uncalled for, that I really, really want to know his side of the story. Not that there is one, but his assumptions getting in the car must have been TOTALLY different than the driver's.
bryanska 2 years ago
WOW
what an absolute ASSHOLE
the kind of guy that ruins it for everybody
zx6rtt 2 years ago 3
@alexosen But I do have to put a disclaimer - every other HOD instructor was VERY good
alexosen 2 years ago
I think I had the same asshole once :)
alexosen 2 years ago
this is so unprofessional what this as$ instructor did,i think he is bipolar and didn't take his pills.
you did great,and if he want's smooth get him a smoothie,so he can suck on something.
planchernewfinish 2 years ago 5
Kudos to David @ HOD for taking care of this.. I would have loved to have been there for that conversation..
what a douche for giving you all that crap on your warm up lap, I was scratching my head trying to figure out what he was complaining about, your line and smoothness seem fine to me.
gsaraber 2 years ago 2
Gee, he was very rude and should not beahve that way. Period.
m5boarddotcom 2 years ago 3
trackdays are supposed to be fun. and the instructor could have learned him in a different manner.that instructor was just uncomfortable.
Xtwisted1 2 years ago
damn, you only got to turn 7 and he was asking to get out? he didnt even observe a full lap, nor did he give you the opporitunity to accel or show improvement. only thing that was a big no-no was the blitz to the apex in turn 1, but i am sure you know what it is all about now and will never do that again. i have seen a TON of bad accidents @ trackdays car and motorcycles.. good luck, and good motoring.
yunglex 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Im sorry but you need to learn to drive. I dont drive a mazda but I doubt the OE clutch is more technical then stage III or 5 setup. The instructor's message was ACCURATE, just wasnt sugar coated. You did not go to learn the track, you just wanted to go fast. I am learning myself but damnaaamman.. Look into open session when you dont risk a passenger.
mante78 2 years ago
I own an '08 MS3 too, and I feel for you on this one. I would absolutely love to go to a track day - but not with an asshat instructor like that.
He thinks your shifts were 'jerky' and you weren't being 'smooth'? Did he realize that the MS3 with its on-off clutch is one of the most difficult cars to shift smoothly that you can buy? I'd like to see him just try to start the car rolling in first gear...I guarantee he would stall it immediately.
Don't let him get you down, keep loving your car :)
Cataphract40 2 years ago 3
Shouldn't use profanity in the first few seconds of meeting a student.
Without my driving this track you seemed to do okay enough for the first lap out.
My guess for the T 1 "apex issue" is to separate fast and pitting out traffic (ala - blend line) but both vehicles should match speed in T1 by turn in, because both would occupy the track out area at the same time regardless of line into T1.
Good luck, don't let this guy discourage you in the future.
-Scott
SuffolkD 2 years ago 2
Came here from Jalopnik. I'm glad to hear that the instructor got what he deserved. You did way better than I would have done my first time. Thank you Social Media for teaching a-holes accountability!
truebluetitan81 2 years ago
that wasnt an instructor that was a dick.... he did teach one thing. how NOT to act
mauigreen 2 years ago
Without repeating others' comments, which I echo, all I have to say is that I hope you keep up the commitment for some more seat time (99% of instructors are great) and don't get discouraged. See you on track soon!
spidracer 2 years ago
You did fine. Instructor sucked.
kenorgeron 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
How did he do fine when he didnt even attempt to learn, missing brake points, missing the lines all together. Please explain.
mante78 2 years ago
Sorry. I missed the part of the video where he was being taught and there was an opportunity to learn. Considering the "instructor" sitting next to him he did fine.
kenorgeron 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
1gmh 2 years ago
What an asshat. No constructive criticism or attempts to tell you what he thinks you're supposed to do, just snide comments.
I'd have stopped the car as soon as he told me he wanted out and said, "you want out, you can get out right now."
hammerhead300 2 years ago
What kind of club makes the instructor/student introduction when in the pre-grid going out onto the track?
Or maybe he was such a d-bag that he skipped the morning meeting?
And that line looked MUCH better than my 1st time at T-Hill, he would have went Rainman on me!
What an arrogant, sarcastic ass.
GForce944 2 years ago
Comment removed
DerekSanderson 2 years ago
wow dude..you were doing really good for your first day...Instructor probably was pissed cause he couldn't drive as well as you did on your first day ...HAHAHA
NoobInaCan 2 years ago
A-hole... next time just say... "I ride my own ride" ... lol
Teleromeo1 2 years ago
Comment removed
Teleromeo1 2 years ago
Dude this guy was a prick. I would have immediately filed a complaint and brought the video to the event organizer. This guy should NEVER instruct again.
Massdojo 2 years ago 3
You don't know about smooth? INCONCEIVABLE!!!
Was this guy related to Vizzini in The Princess Bride?
de6vi6lo6ck 2 years ago 7
what a cock sucker!
evogibson92 2 years ago 2
i did not see anything wrong with your driving. instructor is a total AHole.. you should have capture his face so we all can see who he is. glad i only take my motorcycle to THill and not my car.
msu1996 2 years ago 2
Dude... i did not know your instructor was that bad...I was the guy in the silver Miata btw.
ThePwnographer 2 years ago 3
The jerky shifts were for the jerky instructor.
saltysearay 2 years ago 2
its the MS3...its runs a race tranny... you can flat shift in that car all day ..no problems.
and you have to rev match to shift...that's just what that car is..and its great..I love it :P
NoobInaCan 2 years ago
I would have driven full throttle into the wall screaming "I only have driver side airbags doucherocket"
saltysearay 2 years ago 3
It seems like everyone has the same opinion. I can't disagree. That's a real shame you had him as an instructor. My instructors have always been great. Now I know why they are receptive to changing instructors at these HPDE's.
jerrykaufman356 2 years ago
That guy was a dick. He was intimidated by your raw talent. ;-)
bassumarus 2 years ago 4
wow who does this dick think he is, micheal schumacer? i woud have seriously confronted this guy later that day. you seemed to be doing just fine, especially for your first day out there. i wouldn't take ridicule like that from some unknown instructor, kudo's to u for not punchin him out, and making him walk to the paddock. i would only take that from a driving legend, but i doubt even the stig would hassle someone lke that.
SprinterD 2 years ago
Comment removed
Bergstrom24 2 years ago
What a dickhead, im guessing he had just had a bad day, thats really not what you need on your first session though.
Driving looked fine to me?
mca2k 2 years ago
I don't get it, this was the first lap of your first session and you're stuck behind a slower car and this guy is jumping your sh** about apexes?
The driving line looked fine to me. There is no excuse for that sort of criticism on any driver, especially one that hasn't had a chance to learn the track layout yet. I've seen plenty of jackass heroes in the noob group and been one myself, but that vid was far from it.
Not smooth? Does the "instructor" race a Cadillac deVille? I bet he's single.
coldcerealkilla 2 years ago
WOW,
Don't let it get you down. You did OK for your 1st or 2nd time. This sport take patience to learn but there is no room for instructors like that.
Glad he got out of the car as you did NOT deserve that
wneal1010 2 years ago
This idiot needs to be shot.
eldo500 2 years ago
Wow dude. That's unfortunate you got paired with a bad coach. That guy was aweful - espically since it's your first track day.
Nothing you did (or didn't do) warrants that treatment.
Glad the rest of the day went well, hope to see you out on the track.
kudo43 2 years ago
Seriously bravo for keeping your cool. I know what it's like at your first track event. Adrenaline gets pumping and you don't drive as well as you do once you get a little comfortable.
I would have snapped halfway into the lap and probably asked "hey asshole, did they teach you how to walk back to the hot pit?".
nosispower 2 years ago 4
What a d!ck! Oh man.
cleanunderscoreme 2 years ago
Holy cow this instructor is (WAS! ha!) terrible. I'm glad you posted it- I think a lot of first time drivers would be discouraged and think they were so bad they shouldn't even attempt to improve.
xyling 2 years ago
I went to an auto-x school in november, So Cal Region SCCA, the instructors were very nice...they were good, but they didn't expect you to rock out of the gate, they explained everything, and never had an attitude, opposite of this., This guy is an ASSHOLE, why does he even bother?
lilpoindexter 2 years ago
To hell with respecting him for getting out of the car. That guy shouldn't be allowed to toilet train his own children, let alone instruct somebody on a race track.
You should have taken the opportunity to tell him to eat your ass after he got out in the pits.
deadwayt 2 years ago
Not bad for the first time on track... I've been tracking for 8 years now and you can't judge someone on the first lap or the first 10 laps. Let them warm up, get a feel of the track the comment. This guys was useless and mentally challenged, move on with a smile man, you get weirdos like that once in a while... :-)
johngaltexpres 2 years ago
Why do I picture a T-Shirt with "You don't know about smooth" in a nice 70's font, with a picture of a mustachioed guy in bell bottoms.
Yarrrm8e 2 years ago 12
Why do you not work for a T-shirt company? I'd buy that shirt... Some 70's looking dude in a Camaro, saying "You don't know about Smooth?"
MassiveLemon 2 years ago
How can you not apex a turn? I can't even not apex the turn into my neighborhood.
Driving looked good to me.
cyphear02 2 years ago
What a worthless prick.
sohc287 2 years ago
I had a similar experience in a RallyX course. The first instructor just lectured me and kept telling me he had a worse car but could do way better. He also kept telling me I needed to be not so jerky with the wheel. He then told me he to drop him off and find him a different instructor. That was a blow to my morale in my 1st time. 2nd instructor, who wasnt even working but saw the ordeal, rocked--told me my style was to rock the wheel to get the car where i wanted it to go and to work with it
carlspanoghe 2 years ago
That was pretty clean driving actually...
Sure, you missed some apex's, but that doesn't make you deserved of this kind of B.S.
Thank God Dan is gone.
FUCK YOU DAN!
lol
JDMAero 2 years ago
You meant Jonathan?
paulsoo217 2 years ago
He should have said nothing during the first lap, then pit in & critique but be tactful about it.
wjhmh 2 years ago
What the heck. This guy was pretty smooth and not reckless, especially for a first timer. A mazdaspeed 3 rides pretty rough and there was very little camera movement of jerkiness.
new22003 2 years ago 2
Unbelievable. That made the hairs on my neck prickle. That instructor needs a time out or a nap.
endersftd 2 years ago
Some people should never teach. Dan is now famous for proving that his personality, while completely appropriate for auditioning for a blockhead character in a cartoon, is sadly and utterly valueless in the realm of teaching and instruction.
He deserves what he's gotten - getting FIRED in shame.
mauigeek 2 years ago 3
What an asshole! And on top of that he didn't really seem to know what he was talking about.
BrotherGlade 2 years ago
Wow. I thought this was a joke, or some fictional example of bad instructing. It's completely unacceptable to have that attitude towards a student, and you seemed to be doing mostly good anyway.
WestonP22 2 years ago 3
This instructor just had no reason to fault this guys driving. sometimes i wonder if people like him just take out their frustrations on others because of some rubbish that is going on in their personal life. Who knows eh? All in all the driver was real patient for not decking the instructor.
Peace out.
funkycoldm3dina 2 years ago
lol, im glad this video is on the internet!
dwkfym1 2 years ago
That guy was a litttle angry piece of shit.
greenrolaids 2 years ago
As an instructor for 15 years, I don't really know what to make of this. At first I thought "Dan" just had a bad sense of humor, but now I'm convinced he was just in over his head, and was scared. Hope we learn more.....
y2khardtop 2 years ago
This video will be used for example for many years to come. Shame on "Dan"
michaelischumaker 2 years ago
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michaelischumaker 2 years ago
Comment removed
michaelischumaker 2 years ago
jesus, if that instructor had been as big a jerk to me as he was to you, and then told me he was getting out of the car in the pits - I would've pulled to the outside of the track and let him out there. What a jackass - and while the lap was far from perfect - it was even further from terrible.
kangarod 2 years ago 2
Man, that instructor was a real jerk!
RedlineS2K 2 years ago 3
As an instructor, I am embarrassed for him.
rx7sins 2 years ago 3
My second instructor was almost a quarter that bad, and I hated it. Speeches on pointless crap. I ran slower on the same track with that guy than my first ever track day because I had to alter my driving to suit him. I would have told that guy's instructor to get the hell out of my car. We gotta keep assholes out of the sport.
01FR500 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i wouldn't want to ride in that POS either .
boostedsupra 2 years ago
There was nothing wrong with that run; especially for a beginner.
Unfortunately, every now and then we receive instruction from those who don't know how to instruct.
usageee 2 years ago 5
i've read through the comments, so i know "Dan" is no longer representing their organization, but regardless of that he owes you an apology, imo...it's one thing to let a guy go because he's a crank, it's one level of civility above that to have him admit what he did was wrong...that would bring greater satisfaction than just letting him go, imo...
dlizzle 2 years ago 2
Are you kidding me? That lap looks pretty smooth from the video and while I've never driven there clearly he's hitting the turn in, apex, and exit cones pretty consistently.
I sure hope this video has been seen by the lead instructors for this day...
rosscarlson 2 years ago 2
This guy was a total tool. I'm glad you got a different instructor after this and enjoyed the rest of your day. And you definitely handled it better than I would have because I probably would have tied him to the bumper and drug him around the next lap...so he could see up close and personal when I missed the line. What a prick.
stuart0545 2 years ago 4
I'd love to hear from this instructor. I would LOVE to hear him give any rational explanation for his Holier-Than-Thou attitude.
tonybolton 2 years ago 4
there was absolutely zero instruction or positive reinforcement coming from the guy in the passenger seat. he did you a favor by getting out.
odortiz 2 years ago 4
What an Asshole. I think I would just pulled over and said walk back. I bet some other driver said something to him before he got into the car. He shouldn't be an instructor. He said I don't want to deal with him at the last part. What a jerk. It was his job to deal with drivers like this driving the car. It looked good me man. To the driver next time go as fast as you can and have the Asshole jump out at the apex. :)
ghostb72 2 years ago 4
I've been instructing track events for 6 years, and I'll echo revlimiternet's comments: The "instructor" in this video doesn't appear to have the faintest idea what to do from the right hand seat. If he displayed even 1/10 of that kind of attitude at our school he'd have been sent packing.
If you don't approve of the student's line/smoothness/whatever, there are constructive ways of conveying so which will result in learning and a far more pleasant environment.
americanAlienBoy 2 years ago 7
I've been an instructor for 6 years. A solo2 novice instructor for all of those, but an occasional track instructor as well. I've also run a couple of track days as head instructor.
I would have thrown this "instructor" out of my novice program immediately. He would have been working a corner or flag stand for the rest of the day.
Glad you weren't turned off to amateur motorsports completely buy this... guy. There ARE some of us out there that try really hard to help our students have fun.
revlimiternet 2 years ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
To all you bashers - until you have instructed, you should keep your comments to yourself. The driver should NOT have gone so fast out of the hot pits was the first miscue. You should approach the start/finish stand and wait for a thumbs up. Then, of course, you don't apex T1 at Thunderhill when you come out from the hotpit.
Since you said this was your first event, you should have waited for a point by sign from the driver in the red car. That is also not a beginner's passing zone.
scotts94z32 2 years ago
@scotts94z32 Thanks for the comment.
The acceleration through the hot pits was how we were getting onto the track all day. The cars in front of me were also accelerating down the hot pit onto the straight. They are already in Turn 1 while I'm still in the hot pit. Its not possible to go that far ahead without accelerating. I did make a mistake at T1, which is referenced in the description.
Also, the driver in the Red Cobalt SS did do a point by. This was a designated passing zone.
Thanks.
ActaeonLF 2 years ago
Slow down asshole... are you scott, or Dan?? What instuctors calls a 1st time student , asshole? YOU (instuctors) have to assume he knows jack about the line, apex, brake points... so correct him without being a dick - Dick. Hell, even instructors are bashing him for his "instructing" here...
GeneSplicer260 2 years ago 4
I've been an instructor for 9 years and I find this idiots comments disturbing. Perhaps you could have taken it a little easier in the first couple of corners to get some heat in the tires but your line seemed pretty good. It is the instructor's responsibility to be able to communicate with his student. If he just bought a full -face helmet he damn well better pick up a chatter-box so the student can hear him. He seemed to have a problem with you when he asked your name!
scrosnick 2 years ago 4
you must be the instructor from this video... GET REAL :facepalm:
eagle483 2 years ago
@scotts94z32
if you had been to thunderhill with HOD, you would know that they don't wait at the start/finish stand. drivers accelerate out of the hotpit, and he wasn't even going that fast out of the hotpit.
though i should said that, yes, the driver shouldn't have apexed T1 right out of the hot pit.
i've attended several HOD events at thunderhill, and i would've talked to dave right afterwards. kudos to the driver for keeping his cool.
edwin814 2 years ago
John was doing very well for his first track day. I am amazed that he did keep his cool after being insulted at every corner. Hooked On Driving's mission is to make sure that the students have a pleasant experience. We encourage the students by praising their progress, and not criticize every little mistake. Please don't judge HOD by this one instructor . I know David will take appropriate action to make sure this doesn't ever happen again!
Jeff
jiffyjeff56 2 years ago 4
what's this asshole's name? he should be banned from instructing., fwiw, i've never driven thunderhill but your driving didn't look bad at all. don't be discouraged, keep it up.
kishg 2 years ago
And another thing, did he not ask if this was your first HPDE? AND that he was going to watch you for a lap and THEN make comments? What a jerk.
pinchvalve 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Look, the MS3 is an awesome car, and this guy was obviously jealous that you had a better car than his rusted out POS.
pinchvalve 2 years ago
Im VERY impressed by how cool you kept, I would not have pulled in and gone one more lap as fast as I could just to get back at him. For a first track day you were doing quite well!
halfdemonpyro 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
And you would have been done for the rest of the day if you were my or anyone else's student.
scotts94z32 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
its late and im watching tv alone will anybody cum over and keep me cumpany?
kathylaney343 2 years ago
WOW.
That is unfortunate!
I hope this doesn't drive you away from the track. That is the WORST instructor I have ever heard.
Sorry man! ... what an ass!
JC8587 2 years ago
Good to see them taking care of you. Props to them for righting the wrong done in this video. Dan sounds like a jerk.
Mistamike17 2 years ago
Is this guy for real?
mknoot17 2 years ago
the value of private driver coaching just went up =P
HOD runs a great event, only one bad apple in all the years they've been running is not bad at all. I bring my clients to their events all the time.
MontinolaRacing 2 years ago
what!?!??! I found that very smooth...and your shifts were pretty good actually....it seems that instructor was afraid that you drove better than him ;)
Xeyad1 2 years ago
Dan is soooo done instructing in Cali...lol
jacob300zx 2 years ago
This is David from HOD again - Folks, I had hoped to deal with this internally, but it is what it is, and this lap certainly does NOT reflect any of the HOD culture. I remain very proud of our coaching crew that continually gets high ratings from our customers. Subsequently, the coach from this video is no longer a part of the HOD team.
derlgr 2 years ago 33
Don't sweat it too much David. You're doing the right thing. Social media wildfire burns fast and hot, and you can't extinguish it, but you can mitigate it, even turn it to a brand positive, by doing what you're doing: Get out in front of it, show that it's an anomoly, and make clear the steps you're taking to ensure it stays that way. Toyota could use this as a lesson :D
MFE92 2 years ago 7
Give us the name of the motherfucker so we can deal with him and teach how to improve...;)
Gobbeiladan1 2 years ago 3
I cannot believe this instructor!! PLease get his name we will remove him...you pay for his time there!
RE7WERKS 2 years ago
Your driving was fine. "Slow down asshole" that's a really great way to start a session. Come and try NASA. We have a lot of good instructors in norcal. Although HOD should be giving you some free track days for this debacle.
TimmayP78 2 years ago 2
Hey there, I drive a Mazda6 touring car in World Challenge (#57)... If you ever make it down to SoCal for a NASA event I'd be happy to meet you there and be your instructor. Sounds like HOD is taking care of the issue and I'm glad you enjoyed your time on the track outside of this incident.
PatSoCal 2 years ago 3
For your FIRST Time out -- assuming that the cones are the Apex and Exit Markers you good a good job trying to hit them considering you've never been on that track before. You should definately post the club name and the name of the instructor and send this video TO them.
This guy was *NOT* an instructor. Considering you've never been on the track an instructor would have taken the wheel and shown you it. But then would be positive, not a douche bag like this guy is.
efuzzca 2 years ago
you should post his name , he deserve it. Or the organization name. SO they can take care of him :) Im sure they dont want to have anybody like him around.
amigoandtorro 2 years ago
why this guy is an instructor? I simply would report him and throw out of my car. He is an opposite what the instructor should be. Who the hell want to go back to the track after him? Its a big minus for the organization.
amigoandtorro 2 years ago
It does take a lot of intestinal fortitude to instruct... it's a bit like a blind date, kinda taking your life in your hands :p That said, I've been with FAR worse than you and kept my composure. Sounds like this dude was just in over his head. Your driving looked fine, (but a little polish on your lines wouldn't hurt :) )
thefirebuilds 2 years ago
What a DB!
No excuses for acting like that. Not one constructive comment. DB
GoinginHot 2 years ago 2
I hope that instructor loses his status and credentials to instruct. I would never have treated a student that way.
dbbmwm3 2 years ago 2
Dude needs to just stay home and wack it to some dutch porn! You were driving fine, he just seemed to be a total douche nozzle.
YellaMach1 2 years ago
lol, that was awesome. Seems like someone forgot to change his tampon that morning.
Jerky shifts eh? What the fuck does that even mean?
noriskng 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
GR40RACER 2 years ago
Wow I don't think I heard one positive comment from that dill hole.
In all honesty I saw nothing wrong with your driving, especially for a beginner
bajacore 2 years ago
Comment removed
BoostNinjas 2 years ago
@BoostNinjas That's total nonsense, but carry on.
MFE92 2 years ago
this instructor was a total waste of space ...makes me so mad. worthless instructor
joseg3 2 years ago
what did he teach you? How to be a dick?
joseg3 2 years ago 3
was this with NASA?
sxlostv1 2 years ago
@sxlostv1
Way to read the description.
trevor57 2 years ago 2
No
This was HOD (Hooked On Driving)
willitas34 2 years ago
What a a bumbass instructor... not all cars have the same line. You should post his name so people will AVOID him and so he wonders why clubs aren't asking him to instruct.
GeneSplicer260 2 years ago
Instructor was a total tool. He should never be allowed to instruct anything again, ever
cskrmetti 2 years ago
I hope to God that instructor does not have kids. Just think how bad their lives and self esteem would be with that kind of negativity.
tilt1981 2 years ago 2
Instructor was a tool, end of discussion.
FallenAngelHIM 2 years ago
I would have said "look you're not helping me at all, so stop talking to me and I'll let you out after I'm done with this lap" right around 1:40.