Something to think about for 2012...

[Theodore]

I've mentioned before that the image of the club has always been under scrutiny. Some portions of Administration have not seen the good accomplished through improved driving skills, networking, social, safety, competition, etc. Some have seen it as a liability wanting money, lots, etc. Involvement in the school whether First Friday Parade, Homecoming, recruiting booths, car shows... ALL make a difference and add to CSCC presence on campus. Charity functions like the Toys For Tots AX are a GREAT way to show the university that we care and are wanting to make a difference.

There's another. I recently wrote an article on Street Survival Training for teens, the Tire Rack, BMWCCA and Michelin Driver training program. http://www.thesoutherndriver.com/wp/2011...-arden-nc/ I taught at one and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is amazing to see how much students gained in classroom and hands on driving sessions over one day. They learn basic safety items from proper mirror usage, inflating tires, checking oil, evasive manuevers, emergency braking, correcting when wheels go off road or skid...things most of you take for granted due to involvement in autocross. To actually see these light bulbs coming on is a pure joy. My student came down with his parents from West Virginia (4 hours) as there were no SS schools closer to them left on the schedule this year. The instructors and students laughed and smiled all day and parents were thrilled with improvement they saw on ride alongs at end of the day.

So what lives did it save? No idea. Not quantifiable. On the other hand... did you see the Greenville News yesterday?
"GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. -- A Riverside High School student was killed Thursday afternoon when his vehicle crashed, a coroner said. Greenville County Coroner Barry Wright said that 15-year-old Thomas Grant Cunningham was killed when he veered into oncoming traffic, overcorrected and his car rolled several times. The wreck happened on Henderson Gap Road at about 2 p.m., Wright said. Cunningham was not wearing a seat belt and was killed when he was ejected from the vehicle, Wright said.
Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/29797900/detai...z1e4ijo46E"

15 years old ... no seat belt... over corrected. We have to stop depending on the occasional funeral to shock young people in to driving more carefully and start doing proactive training. This was an unnecessary death that could have been avoided.

To run a Teen Street Survival program at Clemson, we would need a lot, Fire Dept to come spray down skid pad after lunch, some pylons, and Firehouse Subs donates food for instructors and students. We would need some instructors and we would need some workers. You do not need to be Joe Pro race driver to teach as we are not teaching autocross. We would need men and women as instructors. Now THIS is something that makes a difference in community, will make a difference and will garner you VERY positive attention from Clemson and the campus media. Just a thought. If you are interested in pursuing this, let me know. More info here... http://www.streetsurvival.org/

[dave99rt]

[300zmankellan]

I like this idea. I hate hearing young people say they think they're good drivers and then ride with them scared half to death. So many of them have no idea what to do in an emergency.

[Mr.Rauq]

Step 1. Put your phone away.

(applies to everyone, even 60 year old men driving Tacomas...)

[humjaba]

I'd be willing to instruct or help out at something like this.

[mike_5er]

(11-18-2011 02:03 PM)Mr.Rauq Wrote:  Step 1. Put your phone away.

(applies to everyone, even 60 year old men driving Tacomas...)

^ truth. Tacomas don't hold up too well against 20 year old BMW's.

But I think this is a great idea! I would definitely be willing to help also.

[straight four]

I'd volunteer and voluntell my wife if this happens.

(we wouldnt be coaching driving, but probably helping setup and keep things going smoothly.)

[Theodore]

(11-19-2011 10:24 AM)straight four Wrote:  I'd volunteer and voluntell my wife if this happens.

(we wouldnt be coaching driving, but probably helping setup and keep things going smoothly.)

Luke... we need instructors and staff. We don't want instructors for their "racing" abilities ... not there to teach how to apex turns, "attack the back of pylons in slaloms... staff is equally important to making this happen. I really appreciate the interest...I'm working on several programs in upstate in early 2012. I WILL be following up with our officers and others. THANKS

[Clemsons2k]

I think this would be a fantastic idea. The main problem I see though is procuring a lot in Clemson. If parking services already doesn't care for our "tire marks" left after an autocross, then they will really not be pleased with those left from one of these events. Especially from a skidpad.

But if we can make it happen I am more than happy to help out

[straight four]

Ted, That is all and well, but the wife has only passengered at an event and I'd honestly like her to get an event or two under her belt first. I'd be fine with driving advice. But I get a little overenthusiastic about SA and I havent been to an Autox since 2008. (getting married really threw off my weekends.)

Us helping set up and clean up leaves two other people to help the kids.

I think this type of event is the type of event that the parking lot people would be fine with having. Skidmarks from a bunch of kids screwing around is one thing. But having them from kids learning to drive right and safely? I think the good publicity it would present would be overwhelmingly in the good. This also brings up another thought of mine. We (the club) had a learner event a few years ago. In fact even though I had autox'd twice, I learnt 10x as much at that learner event. Marc Osgood helped set it up. With Devin Clancey. Traction circle, max braking effort, (it was raining so we could really see how it and speed affected things.) There wasnt a course per say but we setup a chicago box and were shown how to properly enter and exit depending on what was linked up with it afterwards.

[Theodore]

(11-21-2011 12:24 AM)Clemsons2k Wrote:  I think this would be a fantastic idea. The main problem I see though is procuring a lot in Clemson. If parking services already doesn't care for our "tire marks" left after an autocross, then they will really not be pleased with those left from one of these events. Especially from a skidpad.

But if we can make it happen I am more than happy to help out

Good thoughts Luke. Maybe we can do a AX School in spring. That would be great.

You are right Ryan... parking services might not be happy about it... but this is not something we would present to them. This is something we would present to the university. The benefit far out weighs a few marks on stripes. That is why many larger churches are offering their parking lots free of charge for this program.

I'm glad to see many of you step and offer help. It's a day of your life you will not regret and is something that SHOULD be a part of any car club... and a part of Clemson University offerings. 6000 deaths per year last few years equals 15 per day in the US... it is inevitable if it has not happened to someone you know, it will.

Teenage drivers accounted for some of the following CDC statistics:

- almost four-hundred thousand teenagers required medical attention from their injuries sustained in a car collision.
- teenage drivers are four times more likely to experience a motor vehicle collision than their older driving counterparts are.
- forty percent of deaths for persons aged 15 to 20 stem from automobile collisions.
- teen drivers are responsible for twelve percent of all road-related deaths, yet only consist of less than ten percent of the population as a whole.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not say teen drivers are all bad drivers...I AM saying we as a nation are failing at giving them proper training.

[straight four]

could we possibly include a little blurb on car maintenance? proper tire pressure goes a long way to tire life, where the tool kit is in your car, how to change the tire? Im not joking, I have met people that dont realize its easier to push down than pull on a tire iron. (you can "sit" on the iron if you push, if you pull its just your arm strength)

possibly a demonstration of just how unsafe that damn donut is at speed...

[zps2004]

I have instructed for I think 4 TRSS's now. I would gladly help out for another.

[Theodore]

(11-21-2011 09:42 AM)zps2004 Wrote:  I have instructed for I think 4 TRSS's now. I would gladly help out for another.

Thanks Zach!

[karlyew]

As long as I'm off from work I will be more than happy to help in any way possible