Autocross safety statistics

Long story short, my girlfriend is at best a mediocre driver. I eventually want her to start autocrossing. I was planning on having her ride with me first, but her dad said no, its too dangerous. He (obviously) doesn't really have any idea what it is. Are there any statistics out there showing that it is 500% safer than driving on the road?

Take her to an event to watch. Let her ride along.

Heck, take her dad along to an event and see if you can get him hooked too.

Actually, there is one part of auto-x that I do consider to have genuine risk: corner working. The potential to get hurt comes when you're not watching a 3000lbs of metal bearing down on you while you try to shuck cones.

Salanis wrote: Take her to an event to watch. Let her ride along. Heck, take her dad along to an event and see if you can get him hooked too.

He doesn't want her riding. It wouldn't be a problem but she doesn't want him to freak out (overprotective dad). I would bring him along too, but we're currently two and a half hours away

His problem is he worries easily about the unknown.

Salanis wrote: Actually, there is one part of auto-x that I do consider to have genuine risk: corner working. The potential to get hurt comes when you're not watching a 3000lbs of metal bearing down on you while you try to shuck cones.

I do fully agree with this.

I don't have statistics, but as an SSS here in Middle Georgia reigon, I've learned a few things. For the most part, the worst thats's gonna happen is sore wrists, tired arms, and a pumping heart full of adreniline.

What you have here is not an autocross problem, but one of communication with your girl's dad. I went through a similar situation with my brother, when I invited his daughter, my niece, to come autocrossing with me. My SIL was afraid that she would get hurt. The tack I took was to explain to her the nature of the beast, and that her daughter woud come away knowing how to handle her car in an emergency situation, without panic.

She's been a couple of times now, and enjoyed it every time. She knows how to react when the car starts to spin.

It's not about danger, it's about car control, which can only add to safety. If you emphisize that aspect, you might get much further. Good luck.

Encourage her, and Dad, to let her take a driving course - one that focuses on drive-time, not class-time.

Do some research on what's available in you area. Find one that lets you talk to them before signing-up and see if any of the instructors have experience with auto-x.

These are the people you can use to help assure Dad that his baby isn't going to die on a parking lot. Sounds like Dad should sign-up for the course, too.

There are some previous thread here that addressed "new" driver schools. Maybe they can be some help.

Good luck, we need more competent drivers on the road.

There are a million autocross runs on Youtube. Find some that don't feature spinouts or close calls and show him exactly what is involved so it is less of an unknown.

Might I also suggest the Tire Rack Street Survival program as an example of how autocrossing helps immature drivers develop their responses and get a feel for their vehicle.

Also you might want to add that the cars rarely (if ever) get out of second gear, enforcing the low speed aspect seems to help.

Find an older girlfriend? lol... just kidding. THe good points are already taken.

Invite them along to WATCH a session first... let him see how slow it is, how much like avoiding an accident can be learned... I bet next time he lets her ride along. (heck, HE may even ride along!)

If poking said daughter is more important to you than a plastic trophy, don't push the issue. The appropriate response is "yes sir."

poopshovel said: If poking said daughter is more important to you than a plastic trophy, don't push the issue. The appropriate response is "yes sir."

Now THAT is a proper response.

My girlfriends dad wasn't cool with it at first, but she ran without his permission...because she is 22...

I brought my girlfriend and her mom out to the autocrosses and gave them both rides. Girlfriend has now driven in 3 autocrosses and is actively looking for a Miata to race and Mom asks about racing all the time. She wanted to drag home a Lotus Elise! I has a keeper with a keeper family.

poopshovel wrote: If poking said daughter is more important to you than a plastic trophy, don't push the issue. The appropriate response is "yes sir."

Haha, yeah, good point. But it really scares me being in a car with her sometimes, and I'd really like to get her on a course.
Sounds like the driving school thing would be the best course of action here.

Sounds like "Damn, baby, you look tired. Why don't you let me drive?" would be the best course of action here.

fixed.

My wife and I have been together for eleven years. Part of our success is due to the fact that I do not sit in the passenger seat.

poopshovel wrote: My wife and I have been together for eleven years. Part of our success is due to the fact that I do not sit in the passenger seat.

you are full of gems in this thread today.

poopshovel wrote:

Sounds like "Damn, baby, you look tired. Why don't you let me drive?" would be the best course of action here.

fixed. My wife and I have been together for eleven years. Part of our success is due to the fact that I do not sit in the passenger seat.

yes...

I feel +1 is inadequate to express my approval of that comment.

WilD wrote:

poopshovel wrote:

Sounds like "Damn, baby, you look tired. Why don't you let me drive?" would be the best course of action here.

fixed. My wife and I have been together for eleven years. Part of our success is due to the fact that I do not sit in the passenger seat.

yes... I feel +1 is inadequate to express my approval of that comment.

I keep telling Tim but he thinks I am a douche.

If she is under 18, nothing you can do. Over 18, nothing he can. Sounds like you just have to wait till she's 18. Plus, 2.5 hours away? Tell him your going to church or something!!!

Joey

joey48442 wrote: If she is under 18, nothing you can do. Over 18, nothing he can. Sounds like you just have to wait till she's 18. Plus, 2.5 hours away? Tell him your going to church or something!!! Joey

she's over 18. She just listens to whatever he says... which is almost nothing, except for here.

joey48442 wrote: If she is under 18, nothing you can do. Over 18, nothing he can. Sounds like you just have to wait till she's 18. Plus, 2.5 hours away? Tell him your going to church or something!!! Joey

Age has nothing to do with the the wrath you will incur if you disrespect him on this. If there is the least possibility that this relationship could last for even a little while, don't take this approach.

She respects her Dad (whether you agree or not). Respect her (and him) by doing the same. If you push her to do otherwise, and Daddy ever finds out, she will hate you.

Poopy probably said the same thing with his "poke her" comment.

mtn wrote: His problem is he worries easily about the unknown.

I suspect that at 19, you are the "unknown" that he is worried about.

SVreX wrote:

joey48442 wrote: If she is under 18, nothing you can do. Over 18, nothing he can. Sounds like you just have to wait till she's 18. Plus, 2.5 hours away? Tell him your going to church or something!!! Joey

Age has nothing to do with the the wrath you will incur if you disrespect him on this. If there is the least possibility that this relationship could last for even a little while, don't take this approach. She respects her Dad (whether you agree or not). Respect her (and him) by doing the same. If you push her to do otherwise, and Daddy ever finds out, she will hate you. Poopy probably said the same thing with his "poke her" comment.

Wisdom.