[dradernh]

Originally Posted by msendit

Dully noted about instruction. I've gotten occasional coaching sessions with pros, but nothing like a sustained relationship.

I believe a sustained relationship is an extremely important factor in getting the most out of professional coaching. Under the circumstances, there must be a meeting of the minds.

Anecdotally, I've heard not so attractive things about very successful pro racers when it comes to their attitude towards their clients. In my case, the ones I've hired (and I used only one for 90% of it) all had a very clear sense of what their job was.

Along these lines, I found car-control events and schools to be incredibly valuable. By far the most valuable was a four-day course at the Team O'Neil Rally School. I credit that school, and its very impressive instructors, for my saving a full-on tank-slapper at Watkins Glen's T6 – which is the favorite place for both amateurs and pros alike to total their cars.