EXPERIENCE
I've been on the race track since 1983
That's 40 years with a competition number on a car. A little longer if we count motocross racing for a few years earlier. My first car event was a lap-dash at Oran Park in my yellow Peugeot 504. It was my road car. Road registered, standard bolt-on hubcaps, no tacho. My number hand painted on the rear side windows in white shoe polish. I was one of the slowest that day. I was pretty overwhelmed at my first event and steadily got worse that day.
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Today, it's historic racing in my 1968 Ford Mustang and Ray F85 Formula Ford. Over those 40 years I've started in over 500 races and finished in over 95% (the finishing figure is the one that matters). I've competed in the Bathurst 12-Hour (six times), the Sandown 6-Hour, some American Formula Ford races, some car-park motorkhanas, various hill climbs and almost everything in between. I've raced many really good cars - and tried to race some really bad ones too. I've stood on the podium in elation and in the pits in despair. Unfortunately been to the medical centre twice. All of this means that I've experienced many things. Not everything - just many and varied. Fortunately time and experience builds wisdom. My experience is transferable to you.
My Coaching passion
started in 1988
About 35 years ago I was fortunate to be asked to provide voluntary coaching at a car club track day at Oran Park. I had my full CAMS racing licence for a few years at that time and I felt ready and competent to help others.
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So at my first coaching event some good things happened. Firstly, I discovered quickly that I really liked coaching others. I enjoyed providing the support and sharing the knowledge. I don't hold back any advice (even if you are racing me). Next, I used the expression, "brake, Brake, BRAKE!" for the very first time. That was when my student was barrelling down the main straight with an ever decreasing prospect of safely making the hairpin left at the end. Fortunately we did - just. Lastly, everyone I coached that day improved.
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The words I first heard that day are those that I still love hearing today; "Wow, it's so much easier and fun for me now. I now know what to do, thank you". My quest to ensure that every driver is safe, gains skills , has fun and says just that.
Always learning
also applies to coaches
No two drivers are the same. So being an effective Coach requires adapting the different variety of learning techniques depending on the temperment, experience and attitude of the Driver. I have to figure out with you what is the best way for you to learn. Better if you tell me early on please.
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However, to help me improve as a Coach, I study - a lot. My textbooks vary; pure teaching, communications, psychology, personal development and of course racing.
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Sure driving presents itself as a physical activity but everything starts with our minds. I'm a strong follower of racing people such as; Ross Bentley, Dion Von Moltke and Carroll Smith. Note that only two of those are/were actual pro drivers - as first-class racing educators are not always pro drivers. And I seek out my own training to attain further qualifications - like the MSF Instructor Course in the USA. My objective is to improve both as a driver and a Coach.
A former corporate life
helps too.
Prior to becoming a professional driving Coach, I was a senior leader for a number of automotive brands in Australia. They ranged from Alfa Romeo/Fiat to Hyundai to Toyota to Volkswagen - and a few others alphabetically in between. That career gave me 38 years of business, people and PR experience. Please feel free to look up my LinkedIn profile - it's all there.
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Those roles provided me with confidence to lead large and small numbers of people, dealers, teams and companies. And I've learnt plenty from all those people too. So I'm able to coach you for your greater effectiveness as a guest speaker, sponsorship presenter and TV/radio interviewee. Your non-driving skills always matter too.
