Finally, the only other PDX listed is one at SPR the Sunday after the 12 hour race, a day after the potential instructor pool (and volunteer workers) just spent a VERY LOOONG day driving until the race ended AT MIDNIGHT, then packed up and drank (not necessarily in that order), afterwards simply wanting to go home?

Am I the only one shaking my head at this? Is it truly that difficult to schedule these events so they don't conflict, or is it just that the PDX group feels they can be self-sufficient without the road race program?
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You aren't the only one shaking your head BUT after some rather heated discussion it becomes clear that PDX events are somewhat separate of Road Racing - they're both done on race tracks and SOME of the instructors are also racers BUT those are about the only similarities between the two. The number of officials required for a PDX is significantly fewer as are the number of workers/volunteers. Furthermore, the requirements of those workers/volunteers is less than during a race since PDX workers mainly flag and aren't required (or expected) to enter the hot track to render assistance.

The PDX program is fledgling and while it isn't self-sufficient in most regions, the PDX program needs to be separate from other Club programs just like Road Race and Solo need to be separate to a larger degree. With the ever-looming possibility of date conflicts, the majority of instructors should NOT have a strong connection to racing or solo so that they can be available regardless of the racing or solo calendars. Additionally, not all racers make good instructors and vice versa - just because someone can shuffle a racecar around a track at light speed doesn't mean that same person can safely teach that to a novice. There will be some crossover between programs which is fine but at the same time, each program needs to be able to stand alone so that two programs don't overlap to the point that they BOTH fail when a scheduling conflict occurs.

Don't forget that there is an entire world of Drivers Education participants who aren't connected to racing, solo or even SCCA - this body of people is larger than SCCA Club Racing as a whole. The intent of WDCR's PDX program is to tap directly into this group of warm to quasi-warm bodies for the majority of the instructor base as this group is larger and less encumbered by other automotive-related events.

I believe the NE Region will be publishing some additional PDX dates in the near future that will hopefully not conflict with either Road Race or Solo events. As PDX (hopefully) gains popularity along with Club and Time Trials, chances of conflicts will increase. Hopefully the PDX program will be strong enough to stand alone by that point.