When conducting a VDI Instructor-level Vehicle Dynamics and Exercise Design program, within 10 minutes of the first day we mention that math is the foundation of the program and pass out calculators. It is not long after the calculators are distributed that students will express their concern that math is not exactly a subject they excel at. The students point out that math was, and is, the bane of their existence. In a roundabout way they made the point that they were concerned they would not pass the course because of the math. Our answer has been the same for forty plus years – hang in for a few days, and give it your best shot, while we give our best shot to teach you the math.
The enclosed photo was taken three days after the calculators were passed out, and shows a group of the students, instructors from the Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School, analyzing the data produced by the on board computer (G Meter). These are the same students that were concerned about the math.
In just a few days the students had gone from being intimidated by math to having the skill to solve the equations associated with the science of driving. The end result is they can take any driving scenario, ambush or day to day emergency, and design exemplary driving exercises in which the driver’s capability to resolve the problem is objectively measured.
At the end of the day, isn’t that the essence of training, getting people to do what they didn’t think they could do.
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