Good advise, I don't have any first hand experience to lend, but I can see myself in your friends shoes about being a bit timid about getting into the fray. There's a fear of crashing in a pack that you need to overcome, as others say it's easier for some than others. Its a bridge I'm going to have to cross if I want to get into racing myself in the future. And one I am a bit apprehensive about too. Hopefully your friend can gain the experience and increase his comfort to be more agressive in those areas.