Quote Originally Posted by JBizzlebone
Hrm, someone has been lying to me then. I've heard from a couple creditable sources that the instructor will sit in the car with you with a stopwatch and time your laps. This sadens me if they don't. I would love to know if I'm getting faster or not.
You will know without a stop watch if you're getting faster, trust me. TMK, there are no instructors with NASA that are timing students. If there are, then that needs to stop...immediately. I should probably note here that I'm Co-chief of Timing and Scoring for NASA-SE. Out of curiosity, are your credible sources NASA instructors?

Here's how I gauge my progress in getting to know a track and getting faster. I usually can tell that I've clicked off a good lap when my shift points are changing on track, i.e. shifting sooner implying that more speed was carried through a corner. Another good way, I've found, has been my instructor while in the car. The less an instrutor talks to you, usually the better the you are driving.