April 4 Clinic - Great Job!!!

[ThumbsUp]

I know, I know, I'm a little late getting this posted, but I was exhausted after the clinic on Saturday & needed to rest yesterday.

Anyway, we had a really great clinic on Saturday the 4th! Due to the fantastic site at Gardendale First Baptist, we were able to run two implementations of most of the exercises, effectively doubling the amount of seat time the students got.

As usual, every one of those kids left with big smiles on their faces, and every one improved greatly.

These clinics do not happen without the help of some dedicated volunteers; they all need to be mentioned:

Ricky Ragan, David Branch, Sr., Michael Cholewa, Eric Edwards, Sean Yoder, Elaine Ferrell, Sara Rannow, "C", Jamie McKimmell, Evan Waugh, and Jordan Towns

Hope I didn't miss anyone!

Thanks to all of you for a job well done. It is so refreshing to be able to concentrate on the classroom sessions knowing that the course will be set up properly, that students will be critiqued, that sturents will be given personalized attention as needed - all without prompting from me. This crew has turned in a group of real professionals. All of the Alabama Region should be proud of what they do!

[c-evoVIII]

it was a great site indeed. here are some pics. C



more can be found here

http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g116/c-turbo240/NDCC/

[87RX7RACER]

I hate that I had to miss this. I had some unfortunate things happen to me over the last week that left me broke, so I couldn't come up with the gas money. Glad it was a success!!!

-Vincent

[TouringBubble]

I heard it went well, that's great! I really wish I could have been there ... I was pretty ticked about not making it all day.

However, on the brighter side, Katie said she'd come by and help for the next clinic! More volunteers is always a bonus.

Did the site work out well? Were you able to set up two cloverleafs?

On a side note, I'm working on the video elements for the presentation ... it's tough to have a wreck or spin on purpose when you're used to specifically avoiding that stuff.

[aufoxy]

C- I can't see your pics, it requires me to login as you in order to be able to see it! help!! I want to see the pics

[c-evoVIII]

ok, try again. me so sorry. C

[claym]

Thanks so much for the great school with great instruction for my two girls (Kelly and Kristen)(in the bright blue Mazda Protege in pictures). They both had a great time and learned a bunch about car control (and threshold braking without ABS). Now they are ready for the autocrosses!
James took this course about 4 years ago at the same site and also learned a lot

Now if I can get him that enthused about college

Thanks again to everybody!

Clay

[EvoLady]

C and I had a great time again at the clinic. I love seeing the transformation in the kids after the first exercise. We also had a great group of parents this time that were really having a good time with their kids and I could see how proud they were when we told their kid that they had done the exercise perfect.

It also doesn't hurt to have kids getting in your car for a demo telling you how "sick" your car is! lol

Can't wait till the next one!

Thanks for the pics C!

[Jedi1]

The site is just what we needed! Can't thank them enough for allowing us to be there. Thanks for throwing the keys to the Civic Hatch my way (what a great little car).

If anyone wants to know how great the group we have from ALSCCA really is this clinic is the perfect place to look. Saturday we had one car go down with cooling problems only to have a few of our folks jump right on it, run down the street for a thermostat and make the repairs right there in the parking lot. While the car was down we found someone willing to share a seat so they missed no instruction time. On top of that we had another student finish an exercise, park the car and 30 seconds after she stopped the left front exploded! Again, we found this little white rabbit for her to continue the class in. We also had an ALSCCA member volunteer to donate 2 tires to the cause in order to get them home. That my friends is team work and how this club works! I feel very honored to be a part of the ALSCCA and seeing everyone go WAY above and beyond this Saturday completely reinforced that feeling.

Thanks to everyone involved.

[EWaugh]

I heard it went well, that's great! I really wish I could have been there ... I was pretty ticked about not making it all day.

However, on the brighter side, Katie said she'd come by and help for the next clinic! More volunteers is always a bonus.

Did the site work out well? Were you able to set up two cloverleafs?

On a side note, I'm working on the video elements for the presentation ... it's tough to have a wreck or spin on purpose when you're used to specifically avoiding that stuff.

I have some good pics and video of my spin at Nasville...into T1 at around 100.

[dr_phatcity]

Me too!!!

I cannot re-inforce enough what Sean has just said. It was really remarkable how generous everyone in this club was on Saturday.

Kudos to the repair team and the generosity of Mr. McCool.

-Jamie

The site is just what we needed! Can't thank them enough for allowing us to be there. Thanks for throwing the keys to the Civic Hatch my way (what a great little car).

If anyone wants to know how great the group we have from ALSCCA really is this clinic is the perfect place to look. Saturday we had one car go down with cooling problems only to have a few of our folks jump right on it, run down the street for a thermostat and make the repairs right there in the parking lot. While the car was down we found someone willing to share a seat so they missed no instruction time. On top of that we had another student finish an exercise, park the car and 30 seconds after she stopped the left front exploded! Again, we found this little white rabbit for her to continue the class in. We also had an ALSCCA member volunteer to donate 2 tires to the cause in order to get them home. That my friends is team work and how this club works! I feel very honored to be a part of the ALSCCA and seeing everyone go WAY above and beyond this Saturday completely reinforced that feeling.

Thanks to everyone involved.

[ThumbsUp]

Praise from Parents

Hi Greg,

I have nothing but praise for you and your volunteers last Sat. The clinic was extremely helpful and so important as a life long skill. I believe my son will have more confidence behind the wheel from now on. The volunteers were so cheerful, fun, and encouraging, it was hard to believe they weren't getting paid.

<edit>

Thanks again,

Susan Markovitz

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Greg,

I asked William what he thought about the clinic, and he gave a one word answer - awesome! He also asked if he could do it again. I feel certain that he learned much about what a car feels like on the edge and hope he learned that there is much he doesn't know. He has been scouring the internet since Saturday to find the perfect old VW Golf. He is determined to autocross when he gets old enough.

I have been conflicted since William turned 15 with regards to his driving. He has grown up with me, my dad, my uncle, and cousins all sharing a love of automobiles and racing (my cousin races Spec Miata and some Grand Am). I have enjoyed sharing this love with William who went to his first Formula One race and Rolex 24 at age 8. However, I know very well how dangerous driving can be and have been very concerned with that invulnerable attitude every teenager has. I have been looking for ways to provide training and instruction yet not kill his enthusiasm. This class was one way to provide such instruction. I will pursue others as well (if you have any suggestions, I'd be interested to hear them).

I was very pleased with the amount of driving time during the course. It was much more on the edge than I expected - and that is great. The thing that impressed me most was the positive support of all the instructors. They were wonderful - please tell them so. I was especially impressed that so many young adults would give up their Saturday to provide this instruction. I don't have any big improvement suggestions.

Thanks again for a great day. I imagine we will be at an autocross or two when he gets his license. I have missed it myself.

Ward Wilson

[EWaugh]

He can auto-x at 15 with a parent correct?

[BoostedFD]

He can auto-x at 15 with a parent correct?

I think that's right.

[ThumbsUp]

He can auto-x at 15 with a parent correct?

Correct, as long as he meets all the other criteria for operating a car on the street; i.e. licensed driver in the car with him; and all our criteria.