Don Palmer day - big thumbs up
Discussion
So I spent a day of instruction with Don Palmer on Friday at Bruntingthorpe - what an excellent day, really enjoyed it.
The difference between my driving at the beginning of the day and the end was extraordinary - of course now I just need to maintain the improvement ...
If anyone is considering some instruction I would thoroughly recommend Don, its amazing how little he says and how much he imparts.
A few ordinary pics:
There were only two students, me and the Exige - I took the Exige pics while the course was going on, the pics of my 993 were taken at the end while I just hooned around.
A you can see it was a little bit wet, though not terrible - showers on and off basically, and if anything I think it helped to have a little less grip (and a little less tyre wear
)
As usual no connection, etc. just very happy with what I learnt, and certainly plan to do more ...
>> Edited by tertius on Sunday 21st May 13:00
The difference between my driving at the beginning of the day and the end was extraordinary - of course now I just need to maintain the improvement ...
If anyone is considering some instruction I would thoroughly recommend Don, its amazing how little he says and how much he imparts.
A few ordinary pics:
There were only two students, me and the Exige - I took the Exige pics while the course was going on, the pics of my 993 were taken at the end while I just hooned around.
A you can see it was a little bit wet, though not terrible - showers on and off basically, and if anything I think it helped to have a little less grip (and a little less tyre wear
) As usual no connection, etc. just very happy with what I learnt, and certainly plan to do more ...
>> Edited by tertius on Sunday 21st May 13:00
It was one day 0930 to about 1600, cost £395. He has a website - www.donpalmer.co.uk/ - much more info there.
Insurance is I'm sure your own responsibility, however, there is eff all to hit except cones, and almost all the time only one car is driving at a time. Basically I guess you are self insuring, but it must be a tiny fraction of the risk of a trackday so I didn't worry about it.
Those pics are all heavily cropped - here's an uncropped pic - as you will see tons of space:
I spun many times and hit nothing but grass, and had to really try to get on the grass.
I guess there is a good chance of using up a set of tyres, though I probably only had a mm or two of wear total. Used a lot of fuel though.
Basically the course is about understanding yourself and what you can sense/feel - its not about "in this specific situation do this specific thing".
Hope this helps.
Insurance is I'm sure your own responsibility, however, there is eff all to hit except cones, and almost all the time only one car is driving at a time. Basically I guess you are self insuring, but it must be a tiny fraction of the risk of a trackday so I didn't worry about it.
Those pics are all heavily cropped - here's an uncropped pic - as you will see tons of space:
I spun many times and hit nothing but grass, and had to really try to get on the grass.
I guess there is a good chance of using up a set of tyres, though I probably only had a mm or two of wear total. Used a lot of fuel though.
Basically the course is about understanding yourself and what you can sense/feel - its not about "in this specific situation do this specific thing".
Hope this helps.
evil jack said:
Car looks lovely Tertius...
[although I may be biased towards midnight blue 993s
Cheers - it is a fab colour ...
More (and better) pics here:
www.picturehosting.org/gallery.php?u=tertius&g=993-Carrera
tertius said:
Basically the course is about understanding yourself and what you can sense/feel - its not about "in this specific situation do this specific thing".
Agreed. I had a 1:1 day with Don about 2 years ago and thought he was excellent. However, I can appreciate that some people may prefer a 'if the car does this, you must do the following' type approach. I guess it depends on how you like doing your learning? I think Don's day's don't necesserily suit an unconfident driver (IMHO).
My boss and I both attended one of Don's sessions.
I really enjoyed it, my boss hated it. Basically, Don puts the onus on you to figure out what the car is doing and what you need to do in response. He drops a few clues and lays a few pointers but you'll learn a hell of a lot about what the weight transfer of the car is doing to the tyre contact patch etc.
Just go with an open mind and don't expect to be spoon fed.
I really enjoyed it, my boss hated it. Basically, Don puts the onus on you to figure out what the car is doing and what you need to do in response. He drops a few clues and lays a few pointers but you'll learn a hell of a lot about what the weight transfer of the car is doing to the tyre contact patch etc.
Just go with an open mind and don't expect to be spoon fed.
I did a day when they were still using MIRA. One of the biggest leaps for me was his assistance with transferring from what you think is going to happen to reacting to what the car is is telling you will happen
(but even he couldn't get the Cerbera's arse out for 2 revolutions of the wet circle!)
(but even he couldn't get the Cerbera's arse out for 2 revolutions of the wet circle!)
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