IAM Mechanical Sympathy 1158

Mark Foster

The only way to get a true feel for the characteristcs of a vehicle is by driving it, and I can't drive every car ever built. However, I should be able to feel how the car is behaving, and so should the buttociate. I don't know about all these types of vehicles, and I would need to find out. My observer has got his first buttociate with an auto, and he has had to learn how the work. Observers need to teach how to get the most from A car, not THE car. All of what is taught is applicable to all cars.

I don't think we see eye to eye with what we expect from an observer. In my oppinion observers don't need to know everything. They are there as more of a guide (or observer) rather than a teacher. The buttociates shouldn't be spoon fed, they just need an understanding of how to apply the techniques etc. This comes back to our argument (or discussion) about my experience. In my oppinion an observer doesn't need loads of years of experience. The IAM are actually wanting more younger observers!

I can feel when a car is loosing grip, I can also recognise oversteer, and understeer very easily.

Well, I think this is because we're expecting different things from an observer.