Driver Coaching
Northern California- based racing coach available virtually and in person. I work mostly with autocross and track day drivers, as well as collaborating with beginner and intermediate racing drivers.
Driver Coaching
If you are wanting to get better at autocross or improve your track day lap times, you’re in the right place. I have 15 years of competitive motorsports experience and teaching experience in a graduate school vehicle dynamics course. My background is in road course formula cars and dirt track ovals. Coaching is fun for me because it helps me continually improve my communication of how I think about driving and car set-ups.
I’m also available for driver analysis and as a spotter in wheel-to-wheel race series like spec Miata, 24 Hours of LeMons, NASA, and SCCA. Below are some of the standard options I offer, ranging from beginner drivers to experienced drivers looking for feedback to continue improving on the track.
Video Review
Video Review is a low-commitment coaching option where we focus on making a plan for things to work on before your next event.
Potential topics may include:
Line choice around the course
Braking points and throttle points
Driving with other cars on track
Improving confidence near the limit of the car
Data review
The only requirement is that you provide access to the video through a file-sharing website. My rate is $60/hr.
In-Person Coaching
In-person coaching has a significant advantage over virtual coaching because there are more chances to iterate on techniques you’re practicing. Depending on the type of racing you do, the focus and methods may differ, but the same core principles will apply to most racing you do.
Autocross coaching
Autocross is an affordable means of getting into motorsports with a much lower risk than track day driving. If you’re working on learning course layouts quicker, improving consistency while driving at the limit, or cutting an extra few tenths off your gap to the class’ leaders, get in touch! I am a part of the Golden Gate Lotus Club’s autoX events, but am available for most other events.
Autocross has limited runs, so the focus for these days is:
Improve on methods of learning the track
Identifying tangible improvements to focus on
Brake points and throttle application
If you want to improve your times or just want to figure out some goals to work on, schedule a time with me below. My rate is $200/day for events local to the Bay Area.
Track Day Coaching
Coaches at track day and HPDE events frequently are focused on helping you with individual sessions, but don’t work with you to come up with a longer-term plan to improve your driving. In a coaching day, we’ll focus on identifying areas that can improve your performance without sacrificing consistency.
Topics may include:
Line choice
Braking and Throttle application
Driving changes based on your car
Consistency
Managing your car over a session
My rate is $400/day + travel costs (if outside of Northern California)
Competitive Racing Coaching
Wheel-to-wheel racing requires good driving as well as good racecraft to be able to maximize your results. Skill levels vary greatly in racing, so coaching at races and practice days can focus on improving speed, coaching for racecraft, discussing new ideas, or simply having a spotter and sounding board for feedback on race events.
My rate is $600/day + travel costs (if outside of Northern California).
Background Information
I am based in Cupertino, California, but have experience at many tracks nationally in the US including Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, VIR, Mid-Ohio, and Homestead-Miami. I continue to race because I love the sport and enjoy continuing to learn.
During college and while working in the automotive industry, I’ve found that the learning process needs someone focused on teaching and analysis rather than just a driver with skill. My experience in roles that require teaching and communication in an engineering environment helps me structure your coaching experience in a way that can help you move beyond race coaches that offer feedback inconsistently or without routine.