[xracerbob]

As an ex-Skip Barber instructor for 8 years, I can definitely see the benefit of the training when applied to these cars. It teaches you to think about what the car is doing and why. I can't tell you how many times I would ask a student "what happened" and the response was "the car spun". To which I smartly reply- all by itself, with out any input from you? Amazing!

It would never cease to amaze me the massive range of competency in any given class of students. The geeky nerd who we thought would be hopeless turns out to be the best at the end of the 3 days or the hotshot who started out so-so and finished no better. Driving these things (or anything for that matter) well requires some level of effort, thinking ahead and real skill.

On the deer/animal thing- I have told my wife and kids it is OK to brake to avoid hitting an animal but in the end, don't endanger yourself or someone else in the process. Just hit the stupid thing. We are doing them a favor by eliminating the slow/stupid ones. I guess it serves me right that my wife has hit 2 deer in the last 6 years.