Under 17 Car Club

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Discussion

MarkwG

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

188 months

Saturday 17th January 2009
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Hi All - trying here for info about the above: I've signed my lad up, as I want him to be able to handle a car safely before he hits the proper roads - anyone any experiences to offer? Particularly interested insurance when off road (intentionally...!)

Thanks in anticipation, Mark

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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What sort of information were you looking for?

I was a member of the club for three years and passed my driving test 2 weeks after turning 17 with 1 minor. Went on to pass my IAM assessment 6 months later. Three years later I am still involved with the club on a regular basis so happy to answer any questions you may have.


MarkwG

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

188 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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Much appreciated, thanks! I'm after an insurer who'd do 1 day cover for the event itself. I'm waiting on the full joining instructions, but the next available date is not far off, & I'd like something in place asap. My insurer, one of the big names, doesn't offer that kind of product, although the lady (girl maybe wink ) knew what I was talking about, as her dad joined when she learned to drive. She explained he'd taken the risk himself, which I appreciate is an option, but if there's a cost effective method of covering then I'd like to check it out.

I'm guessing you enjoyed it, then? What kind of things did you learn about?

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
quotequote all
MarkwG said:
Much appreciated, thanks! I'm after an insurer who'd do 1 day cover for the event itself. I'm waiting on the full joining instructions, but the next available date is not far off, & I'd like something in place asap. My insurer, one of the big names, doesn't offer that kind of product, although the lady (girl maybe wink ) knew what I was talking about, as her dad joined when she learned to drive. She explained he'd taken the risk himself, which I appreciate is an option, but if there's a cost effective method of covering then I'd like to check it out.

I'm guessing you enjoyed it, then? What kind of things did you learn about?
Hi Mark,

I loved the club - made some great friends and am still in contact with loads of people I met there. Throughout my time in the club I took part in many skill tests (honing car manouveribility skills) - has certainly helped and parellel parking is a doddle now! Also did a skid pan session at Castle Combe which was really useful, and there is now the option to do a cradle skid pan at North Weald when we meet there. I also took part in a Rally Day, Caterham driving days and various other cool stuff!

Kinky

39,455 posts

268 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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Wow - I never knew that existed.

I'll certainly get my lad signed up for that thumbup

Just got to wait 4 years and 3 months to do so .... smile

Unless anyone knows a similiar club for 'under 12s' (or 7 and 3/4 in my case) smile

K

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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Good move Kinky smile.

iRoll

2,335 posts

230 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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I was a member of the Under 17 Car Club during the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. I'd say I was a bit of an underachiever whilst I was there, only ever reaching grade two, but it set me up well for the roads and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I passed my test four weeks after my 17th Birthday with four minors.

Also, there's no risk attached with regards to insurance - as you'll see when the paperwork comes though.

Kinky

39,455 posts

268 months

Wednesday 21st January 2009
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rfn said:
Good move Kinky smile.
To be quite honest though, it really is a no-brainer.

There's nothing I'd love more than to have Kinky Junior being aware of car control, road awareness, etc, etc, rather than the 'boy racer' types who pass their test and then think that they're Lewis Hamilton and invincible. I know that's a total generalisation - but the point stands.

I'm going looking for anything equivalent for younger 'uns. Especially as PH will be down the night eek

K

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Thursday 22nd January 2009
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Kinky said:
I'm going looking for anything equivalent for younger 'uns.
Check out Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands, though it is quite expensive...

MarkwG

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

188 months

Thursday 22nd January 2009
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Thanks all, very helpful, 1st one is 1st March, I'll post comments following that!

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Thursday 22nd January 2009
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MarkwG said:
Thanks all, very helpful, 1st one is 1st March, I'll post comments following that!
Feel free to Email me is you have any further questions smile.

Look forward to seeing you on the 1st - feel free to come and speak to me on the day!

djon

409 posts

233 months

Sunday 1st February 2009
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I was a member back in the early nineties. I learned to drive in my Dad's old Audi 100cc (AKA The Land Yacht) and my Mum's C-reg Saab 900 Turbo 16v. Castle Coombe, Bedford DSA and an air field somewhere... Certainly helped my love of cars and driving, and meant I passed my test 3 weeks after my 17th birthday.

Highly recommended and if I ever have kids and can afford it I'd certainly do it with them.

Jon

P.S. Big thanks to my Dad and his 'brown trousers' - lol!

LindaJ

1 posts

168 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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HI

I am trying to find info on how to apply for my son to join the Under 17 car club. I cant find any info. Please could someone give me an web or email address.
Many thanks

Linda

2 Wycked

2,335 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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Website

Or email u17@wntf.co.uk to get an application form.

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Monday 8th March 2010
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2 of my kids did it and both got to grade 1. We didn't go enough for them to get to grade X (lacking in time and talent). It's a great club, but there are some downsides. The progress the members (the under17s) make is directly proportional to the time driving, ie the number of events attended. So it's not a short term proposition. I started thinking we'd go once a month and that's nowhere near enough to make any progress. We ended up going most weeks over several years. When my #3 started and quickly declared her love of horses, I was very relieved not to have to get up at the crack of dawn saturday/sunday any more.

There are people who put in a lot more effort than I/we did and get there early to help with the cones and organise events etc (for which I was very grateful). It's very much a case of you get out what you put in.

I also got a huge amount out of being an instructor there once my kids were older. It was brilliant being able to teach the kids and develop techniques to get them to learn.

On the insurance front, I think you may find that it's self-insured only. I never tried to find anyone to insure me, but it's the big risk for the club sadly, that in these days of elf n safety, one accident would put the whole think in jeopardy. Of course though it has an excellent safety record as you'd expect.

One of my earliest recollections was being driven around Combe set up as a two way road with cones by a 12 year old and being amazed at her skill. I was then treated to a drive by her when she was 13 at Combe set up as a one way circuit with her speed limited to 90mph. Cool.

Have fun, we certainly did.

Bert

Kinky

39,455 posts

268 months

Monday 8th March 2010
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Nice summary Bert.

I've got K junior signed up - but he's circa 2 years away from starting it (he'll soon be 9).

Although it's a long way off, I'm mentally preparing for it. I'm kinda thinking of buying an old manual Fiesta/Micra or somesuch, rather than use the daily driver!

K

rfn

4,530 posts

206 months

Monday 8th March 2010
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Glad to hear some more positive experiences of the Club.

Kinky - looking forward to your son joining in a couple of years - no doubt I'll still be going each week.

MarkwG

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

188 months

Tuesday 9th March 2010
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I just twigged I did mention I'd add some comments after March 1st.. whistle 2009...
I can heartily recommend the U17CC: the guys who organise everything, make it all tick along & put up with the inane questions & dumb driving (that's the parents, not the kids) such as RFN above, are true stars. I have an idea that the amount of work involved in making everything so slick & look so easy must be immense, & it's all done with a smile & a friendly face.
My lad got to Grade 5, which he's chuffed to bits with; we're taking things steady (other commitments & geography are limiting factors), & hopefully he'll get at least another grade this year: we're not busting a gut to get to Grade X, anyway, it's all putting him in a better place for when he finally hits the road proper. The opportunity to have a bit of street cred with his mates is never missed, so it's helping him build overall confidence; & I've had to think about things I haven't given much consideration to for a very long time, which is always valuable. I would say, don't under-estimate how much energy it takes - the round trip + the on track driving really can take it out of you, even allowing for my less than ideal learner car. But, the speed at which youngsters learn is truly awesome (in the old sense of the word!) & a real pleasure to be part of. In an ideal world, everyone would learn to drive this way...

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Tuesday 9th March 2010
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my first few times I took my daughter I was so tired I had a nap on the drive back. It's super-hard work concentrating on a learner all day, especially when they are so young!

Who is chief instructor these days? Is it still Dave something or other? The policeman.

Bert

2 Wycked

2,335 posts

230 months

Tuesday 9th March 2010
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BertBert said:
Some things
You told my Mum off because I only had one hand on the steering wheel once. Rest assured that hearty lols occurred as a result of this.