Sportfahrer Lehrgemeinschaft
(Driving Enthusiasts’ Education Society)
At Watkins Glen International Raceway
Jim Roberts, DMD, MBCA | Director at Large
Lotus, Ltd | National Driving Skills Director
It is a pleasure to report that our MBCA/ Lotus, Ltd advanced driving skills event at Watkins Glen, NY was very successful with over 50 drivers including 14 instructors and 6 performance driving experience students.
Midweek is a tough sell, but this is the only time available at this world-famous track. Every year we increase the number or solo drivers, and this year we saw a significant increase in the number of MBCA participants. Most of them bought Mercedes-Benz or AMG cars. Almost all the Lotus, Ltd members brought Lotus cars as well.
Six of our 14 instructors were MBCA members. Event chairman Tony Vaccaro and MBCA N.E. Region Director. Drew Webb made hotel arrangements as well as discouns for local venues. Chief instructor David Nagler paired up students and instructors while Bob Metz and I handled the two classroom sessions.
Along with help from MidAtlantic, Great Lakes and Central Region Directors, Bill Fisher, Ron Harshman, and Ken Koehler especially did great jobs with publicity to members.
The students enjoyed the learning experience. Brief rain showers helped tremendously with this. They were all patient and polite.
There was no damage to cars or track and very few mechanical issues.
The non-track activities planned by both clubs were not well attended, but this was the first year for these. With more input from local section/chapters we have the potential for an event with broader interests.
Now, if we can get rid of COVID and drop the price of fuel…
Jim Roberts, DMD
MBCA |Director at Large
Lotus, Ltd |National Driving Skills Director