LAKEPORT — On Saturday, cars raced around Holder Ford in Lakeport as part of the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Teen Car Control Clinic.
Jerry Kunzman, NASA Executive Director, said 20 teens and one adult took part in the car control clinic, which went on from 9:30 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Clear Lake Area sponsored the event.
Drivers used their own cars on the course in order to understand how it performs under duress in real-world exercises such as hazard avoidance, a split-decision drill and panic-braking exercises.
Kunzman said cars were mostly new and ranged from more standard Toyota Camrys up to higher-performance BMWs. He said the drivers were “really amazing” and the instructors saw improvement across the board as the day went on.
“We had some drivers who were timid and came out of their shell,” Kunzman said, adding that many parents said they saw a big difference in how their children drove.
Kunzman said this was the first car control clinic in Lake County and that it was quite a success. “We were pleased it went as smoothly as it did,” he said.
Kunzman, who organized the event alongside CHP Public Information Officer Kory Reynolds, said he and Reynolds are planning to hold another clinic sometime in mid-January, with the possibility of a few more throughout 2012.
All participants earned a certificate for completing the course, and Kunzman said they would be mailed out soon. For more information about NASA and its clinics, visit nasacarcontrol.org.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
