Becoming a Track Day Instructor
Discussion
Hi PHers,
I have a few ideas in my head about a job for the future and one that popped into my head was one about becoming a track day instructor. Now Iv done a bit of research about this but I was wondering if there is anyone on the PH forums who is one and can give me some pointers about becoming one and where/how to apply and also what training happens to become one.
Though I'm 17 (18 next month)I have a bit of experince in driving/competing, having driven solo from about 10 in a variety of cars, and autotesting for the past few years, and done one track day and also plan to compete in sprints/scatter rallies.
So it would be much appreciated if anyone can help me on this subject matter.
Many thanks in advance.
Phil
I have a few ideas in my head about a job for the future and one that popped into my head was one about becoming a track day instructor. Now Iv done a bit of research about this but I was wondering if there is anyone on the PH forums who is one and can give me some pointers about becoming one and where/how to apply and also what training happens to become one.
Though I'm 17 (18 next month)I have a bit of experince in driving/competing, having driven solo from about 10 in a variety of cars, and autotesting for the past few years, and done one track day and also plan to compete in sprints/scatter rallies.
So it would be much appreciated if anyone can help me on this subject matter.
Many thanks in advance.
Phil
All the ones I have come across have been racers first and instructors second.
How can you teach what you dont know?
While doing track days I have had the great touring car maestro Anthony Read in my car at Goodwood (has to be said that we did not get along sadly).
I have also met the guy who Jenson was named after (fantastic touring car driver and bloke).
My advice would be to go racing.
Got deep pockets?
How can you teach what you dont know?
While doing track days I have had the great touring car maestro Anthony Read in my car at Goodwood (has to be said that we did not get along sadly).
I have also met the guy who Jenson was named after (fantastic touring car driver and bloke).
My advice would be to go racing.
Got deep pockets?
Rovinghawk said:
Your biggest problem will be prejudice- at your age you'll find it difficult to be taken seriously, regardless of your ability.
Harsh but true.
RH
Perhaps, but his age will also work for him in that he has time to follow a sensible path to achieving his goal.Harsh but true.
RH
I would suggest trying to get some low-level job (admin perhaps) at somewhere like Bruntingthorpe (or perhaps there are more admin jobs at somewhere like Millbrook), or even at one of the UK tracks - which could fund some amateur racing. Build up your skills & experience whilst also making contacts in the industry. A couple of years of doing that and you could be doing some instructing by the time you are 20.
I once went to one of these 'rally school' things, and the instructor chap (I think) was aged 16 or 17. IIRC he was just about to sit his driving test.
Initially, yes, I was prejudiced against having him as an instructor because of his age, but 3 minutes in the car with him was enough for me to realise he knew his stuff and he was a worthy instructor.
Initially, yes, I was prejudiced against having him as an instructor because of his age, but 3 minutes in the car with him was enough for me to realise he knew his stuff and he was a worthy instructor.
Unfortunately the track day instructor pool is quite full in the UK.
You'll find it very hard to 'get in' unless you have a wealth of experience in racing at a decent level and these days track day companies/track owners/driving schools etc. are usually looking for championship winners of some sort in order they can promote their track day/driving services.
I went all the way to China to become a track day instructor and got a job with a corporate 'red letter day' type company. Trying to get a similar job here in the UK is near impossible unless you've previously had the money to go racing and build the required experience that way.
I won't go into all the rights and wrongs of the costs of motorsport and how it limits competitors to those that have and those that do not, but its a reality that you can't just decide to do this line of work because (a) you want to and (b) you 'could' be good at it....unfortunately the companies hiring instructors look for the experience (which is also measured in the instructor grades). And all this costs a significant amount of money.
Low grade instructors generally don't get paid much at all and its only the high grade ones that generally make a living out of it. Just something to bare in mind.
edit to add : just re-read my post and its all quite negative. Apologies for pi$$ing on your chips ;-)
If you are dedicated enough the best way will be to gain as much race experience as you can and gain the signatures on your race license as you will need these to gain the ARDS instructor license. If you can find enough money then you'll be able to do more races and gain more licenses and upgrade to National Race 'A'. From here you'll be able to go for the ARDS instructor license. And this will be the starting point of becoming an instructor.
You'll find it very hard to 'get in' unless you have a wealth of experience in racing at a decent level and these days track day companies/track owners/driving schools etc. are usually looking for championship winners of some sort in order they can promote their track day/driving services.
I went all the way to China to become a track day instructor and got a job with a corporate 'red letter day' type company. Trying to get a similar job here in the UK is near impossible unless you've previously had the money to go racing and build the required experience that way.
I won't go into all the rights and wrongs of the costs of motorsport and how it limits competitors to those that have and those that do not, but its a reality that you can't just decide to do this line of work because (a) you want to and (b) you 'could' be good at it....unfortunately the companies hiring instructors look for the experience (which is also measured in the instructor grades). And all this costs a significant amount of money.
Low grade instructors generally don't get paid much at all and its only the high grade ones that generally make a living out of it. Just something to bare in mind.
edit to add : just re-read my post and its all quite negative. Apologies for pi$$ing on your chips ;-)
If you are dedicated enough the best way will be to gain as much race experience as you can and gain the signatures on your race license as you will need these to gain the ARDS instructor license. If you can find enough money then you'll be able to do more races and gain more licenses and upgrade to National Race 'A'. From here you'll be able to go for the ARDS instructor license. And this will be the starting point of becoming an instructor.
Edited by AJI on Friday 27th May 10:52
Isn't it one of those things that sounds like a cool job until you find yourself sitting in a car hurling at the track from every angle but the correct one and realising the person in the driver's seat doesn't want to hear what you're telling them to do because they already know best?
Chapppers said:
Isn't it one of those things that sounds like a cool job until you find yourself sitting in a car hurling at the track from every angle but the correct one and realising the person in the driver's seat doesn't want to hear what you're telling them to do because they already know best?
I can say that it is one of the most scariest things I have ever done.Like you say, there are some good listeners and those that follow instruction, but then there are the arrogant ones that think they know best and purely turn up so they can say they been 'balls out' round a track.
The joy of the job quickly disappears when you are in that type of situation. And its never a pure fun thing when in the car instructing either. All the time there are the health and safety implications.
But saying that, there is a huge satisfaction when you have measurably increased the knowledge and skill of a beginner on track to the point they can start learning for themselves.
I say because I briefly experienced it the other day at work. I'm in a driving/testing role and have the correct licenses and a load of engineers who don't do any testing/track driving were allowed out in the cars for a few laps as long as they had one of us sitting in with them. It was good fun right up until Mr.Angry at the car/track/world got in and drove like a total penarse.
I had a sit down for a while and a hot chocolate and everything was fine, but it was hard work (basically non-stop) and yeah... you never know who's going to be sitting next to you.
I imagine it's one of those "wow, really?" jobs you tell people about down the pub that is actually a total nightmare most of the time.
I had a sit down for a while and a hot chocolate and everything was fine, but it was hard work (basically non-stop) and yeah... you never know who's going to be sitting next to you.
I imagine it's one of those "wow, really?" jobs you tell people about down the pub that is actually a total nightmare most of the time.
My dad is a track day instructor, did alot of racing in his younger years, now only does instructing. He just uses it as a weekend job now, tried doing it as his only income before I was born but decided that it was too stressful to be doing all the time. Especially with the driving experience companies as opposed to track day instruction, a lot of customers really do not listen. I've done a bit of competitive racing, but want to do a lot more before I consider becoming a qualified ARDS instructor, I wouldn't want to teach people, not knowing a lot myself. There are LOADS of people wanting to do this, so expect it to take a while.
Chapppers said:
Isn't it one of those things that sounds like a cool job until you find yourself sitting in a car hurling at the track from every angle but the correct one and realising the person in the driver's seat doesn't want to hear what you're telling them to do because they already know best?
Yes.I think there is a big difference between the guys who work for trackday companies as instructors who usually have a good racing background and those that hireout a car on another companies trackday and offer tuition. The former are usually really good the latter not so good or appear that way.
I've had lessons from David DaCosta, Jason Coffin, Irvine Jenson and someone else I have forgotten the name of over the near decade I've been doing trackdays. 1st lesson was by David on my 1st trackday and had a profound effect on my driving, hopeless to acceptable that day.
People talk about great drivers going really fast in any car but I've been on days where a "hire me and my car for the days instruction" chap has been out and when the instructors been giving 'hot lap rides' have been blue flagged to let me past. That shouldn't happen.
I've had lessons from David DaCosta, Jason Coffin, Irvine Jenson and someone else I have forgotten the name of over the near decade I've been doing trackdays. 1st lesson was by David on my 1st trackday and had a profound effect on my driving, hopeless to acceptable that day.
People talk about great drivers going really fast in any car but I've been on days where a "hire me and my car for the days instruction" chap has been out and when the instructors been giving 'hot lap rides' have been blue flagged to let me past. That shouldn't happen.
I know a lad who does a bit for corporate days, but mainly development/ set-up driving. He said something that made me laugh a couple of weeks ago: at the corporate days, ALL the instructors try to avoid anyone who is wearing their own racing booties as they typically indicate a lack of talent, which is only outweighed by their inability to take instruction.
I'm looking in to starting it as extra pocket money but I'm finding track day instruction is actually higher level than you may think.
Rally days like doogz mentioned or basically corporate days put on by tracks are easier to get in to.
As someone else mentioned, you really need your national A before ARDS will look at you. Good luck though, I can see the allure!
Rally days like doogz mentioned or basically corporate days put on by tracks are easier to get in to.
As someone else mentioned, you really need your national A before ARDS will look at you. Good luck though, I can see the allure!
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