4Driver4

My face is sunburned and wind burned, my lips and hands are chapped, my legs ache, and I've got a goofy grin on my face that I can't seem to shake: I've just survived NAAC's first WDS...not as a student but as an "Event Volunteer" aka cone chaser aka ground support for my wife (who did drive). What a great time! Who knew you could have so much fun at a WDS without actually driving?

My wife was a reluctant participant; she went because I wanted her to go, not because of some deep desire she had to spend a weekend burning gasoline in the New Hampshire wilderness. Nonetheless, she was packed and ready at 5:00 PM on Friday for our drive up from Hartford. Despite a small detour when my mental cruise control put us accidentally on to 84 East instead of 91 North in Hartford, we recovered via some back roads and got back on track. As we worked our way north, we watched the temperate fall to a balmy -20 degrees as reported by the barely visible display in her 99 A6. We arrived at the Mountain View Grand just before 10 PM, said a few quick "hello's" in the lobby and headed up to our room to settle in.

I love the Mountain View Grand. The MVG is a "Dirty Dancing" (Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey) type resort that was recently completely remodeled after years of neglect. It's a great place. Great service, beautiful views, spa, gym, and just a comfortable place to relax in the dead of winter. Sure, the furnaces had some trouble keeping the place warm in the sub-zero temps on Saturday morning, but that just added to the charm of the old inn.

Anyway, we awoke Saturday morning, enjoyed a good breakfast in the dining room, and found a spot in the classroom. While Robyn and the other students learned about oversteer, understeer, and weight transfer, I ran around getting her car running and warmed up and getting myself dressed for my day outside in the chilly temps. By now several instructors were already braving the cold at Team O'Neil to set up the various exercises for the day. By the time the students caravanned to Team O'Neil, the place was ready for them, and the mercury had managed to struggle up to -11 degrees.

The event organizers had divided the facility at Team O'Neil into three areas, each with a different exercise. At the far end was the slalom and braking area, with a short slalom, a braking box (Complete stops, please!), a steep hill, another short slalom (blind until you crest the hill), and parking area at the top. In the center of the facility was the skidpad; half cul-da-sac, half ice skating rink, this area was great for experiencing oversteer and understeer. The last exercise was the avoidance course; essentially a loop around the garage buildings punctuated with several cones.

Students were broken into three groups by pre-assigned folder color and reported their scheduled areas. Once there, the groups divided into A and B groups and took turns on the course. Those not driving were encouraged to ride with others, and most cars had one or two passengers in addition to the student and instructor. At first the students were fairly timid, but as the day progressed they became more confident and the snow really started to fly. It was really fun to watch the students from my post at the top of the hill on the slalom. The first timers were a hoot. The first few times the car began to slide you could see their eyes go wide and their shoulders tense up, but after a half dozen runs, the wide eyes were replaced by wide grins and the unintended slides were replaced by deliberate drifts. Funny stuff.

At one o'clock, a lunch of "make your own" sandwiches, salads, and desserts was served in the main garage. There was a quick meeting and students were ready to get back to "work". The afternoon went as seamlessly as the morning, and by 4:00 everyone was tired and ready to call it quits for the day.

Our dinner was the WDS banquet at the MVG, and by 9:30 we were tired enough to skip the bar and head to bed.

Day two was shorter day at on the course, but the number of students had dwindled and organizers were able to combine some of the A and B groups so that everyone actually got more course time on Sunday. At 1:00, the official school was over, but participants were invited to stay for timed runs over an extended slalom course for the rest of the afternoon. We were tired, so we chose to head home.

I was really proud of Robyn. As I mentioned, she only attended at my urging. Like any first time student, she was apprehensive. She was worried about damaging her car, worried about being pushed to do things she thought were beyond her ability, worried that other students would be faster and better and that she would hold them up as she struggled to learn, and also worried about the cold. And like any first time student, she discovered that the school is a non-threatening, nurturing environment where everyone supports each other as they struggle to master new skills. It sounds corny, and I suppose it is corny, but it's true. She really had a great time. Even the cold didn't bother her too much.

For my part, I learned that it's a lot of fun to be outside car too. Unfortunately this is the only WDS we will be able to attend this year, but I'm already eyeing the summer events. I'll give her a week to recover before I begin pitching the summer event schedule to Robyn.

Thanks to Scott for organizing, and to the rest of the NAAC faithful who worked to put this together and make it a success.

AudiZilla

<center><img src="http://baradas.org/stuff/photos/2007-01-27-WDS/img111.jpeg.medium.jpeg"></center><p>First, thanks for enduring two days of cold to help make the school a success.

Second, I'm *really* happy to hear that your wife had a great time.

It was amazing to watch students that at first would shriek and freeze up when their cars slid in the exercises, slowly build up confidence in identifying and reacting to the skid(s). By the end of the 2nd day the same students would quickly identify the skid, and then calmly correct it. Their ear-to-ear grins were infectious.

That experience, I believe, is truely invaluable.

--
Peter Barada
President, NAAC<ul><li><a href="http://baradas.org/stuff/photos/2007-01-27-WDS/index.html">http://baradas.org/stuff/photos/2007-01-27-WDS/index.html</a</li></ul>

SabaTronicO

I will post some pics and video tonight, I was too tired to do anything last night. Thanks for the great time, I am already making plans for October NHIS and next year's WDS.

4Driver4

...when she was confronted at the banquet with the testimonies of several instructors and volunteers who reported seeing her smiling on the avoidance course, she broke down and admitted that she was having a lot of fun - lol.

The most honest feedback I got from her was on the ride home when she was describing the event to her sister via cel phone. She had fun. Lots of fun.

"I didn't get to go to the spa this year."
...
"I was too busy with the school."
...
"I was driving." &lt;smiles&gt;
...
"No, Tom didn't drive this year, I did."
...
"No, I'm not kidding." &lt;laughs&gt;
...
"Oh, and the boots I bought worked out really well and..."

One of the things that impressed her was how important it seemed to everyone else that she was having a good time. She really had a blast.

germantoy

GODDAMIT THEY HAD SNOW TO! to bad i wouldnt of survived the cold

4Driver4

Got an inch of fresh powder Saturday into Sunday morning. Sun came out about 9 AM.

Murphy'sSidekic

Even though I was outside chasing cones like you, I had a great time. The best part is watching the faces of the students and instructors as the day goes on - the students' worries vanish and the grins get bigger and bigger.

Robyn was a natural - I was surprised this was her first event! I even asked her if I could ride along - she did great, and was very relaxed as she threw the car around those cones.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of her driving - but here is a <i><b>small</b></i> sample of pics of other people driving the avoidance course (full gallery @ <a href="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/p999247569/">NAAC WDS I</a>):

Student Dale in his A4 Avant
<img src="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/img/p949512104-4.jpg">

Student Steve Sr (or) Student Steve Jr in their RS4
<img src="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/img/p641556004-4.jpg">

Instructor John in his Mazda RX-8
<img src="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/img/p743658701-4.jpg">

Student Jennifer in her Camry (no, the damage wasn't done at the school)
<img src="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/img/p981846167-4.jpg">

Instructor Jeff in his S4 Avant
<img src="http://murphyssidekic.zenfolio.com/img/p681929496-4.jpg">

4Driver4

...for most improved, it would have to go to my wife (obviously).
But If I could give two awards for most improved, the second would have to go to Jennifer in her wrong wheel drive Camry with all-season tires. by end of the second day, she was throwing that thing around like a pro and laughing like a lunatic.

eph94

If I forced my wife out to a 1 1/2 day event, especially in -11 degrees, it would feel even colder in the house when we got back home. Yet she tells me I should send my mother up to WDS. Wait a second! What does that tell me how she feels about my mother?!

4Driver4

But yeah, I was really proud of her. Not only did she put in a good effort, but she really got a lot out of the school. I don't know if she will go again, but she really took alot away from the school.