How to Choose a Tire for Autocross Racing
Client:
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
Services:
Assessment Design, Needs Analysis, Instructional Design, Visual Design
Solution:
Interactive PDF Workbook
Summary:
Designed a training workbook that improved novice autocross drivers' tire selection knowledge by 75%, validated through pre/post testing with 10 SCCA members.
Challenge
New autocross drivers often struggle to choose competition tires. The specifications — treadwear ratings, traction grades, size codes — are technical and confusing, and class eligibility rules add another layer of complexity. Choosing the wrong tire can mean wasted money, poor performance, or disqualification.
I set out to create a portable learning experience that drivers could use at the track or at home to build a systematic decision-making framework for tire selection.
Select the pdf icon to download my project proposal:
Solution
I designed a 60-minute self-paced PDF workbook using systematic instructional design (specifically the Dick & Carey model) — starting from the real-world task drivers need to perform: comparing tire specs and selecting the best option for their car, class, and budget.
The module scaffolds learning from foundational concepts (what treadwear and traction ratings mean) through applied decision-making scenarios where learners practice evaluating tire options against specific constraints.
I chose a PDF format intentionally: drivers could access it digitally on their phones at the track or print a paper copy to work through between runs. This flexibility made the resource practical for the motorsports environment where it would actually be used.
Deliverables included:
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Illustrated instructional workbook
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Pre-test and post-test (mirrored assessments to measure learning gains)
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Final exam
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Attitude survey
Before broader distribution, I tested the materials with 10 SCCA members and incorporated their feedback.
Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Results
Pre/post assessment data from 10 SCCA members showed an average score improvement of 75%, demonstrating significant knowledge gains across all tested drivers.
Beyond the numbers, learners responded positively — describing the approach as "smart" and expressing excitement about what they'd learned. Several noted they felt more confident making tire decisions independently.
What I Created
This is the full learning package I designed and tested with SCCA members. The instructional workbook walks learners through tire specifications and decision-making scenarios, while the mirrored pre/post-tests measure knowledge gains. The attitude survey captures learner confidence before and after training.