Track/Fast-driving instruction courses. Advice required...

[Voguely]

Hi all,

I've been looking at a few of the 'package' driver training for track focused and fast road car driving. I feel like I would benefit from some instruction to help me get the best out of my Vantage, and at some point would like to track it. However, I like the idea of learning on someone else's car, as is the case in a lot of these packages. I figure, that whilst they are relatively expensive, tracking my on car by the time I add insurance, tyre wear, fuel, brake wear etc then it wouldn't be much different!

Has anyone done any of the following and have any feedback? Also happy for other suggestions, especially perhaps lesser know companies doing it in the UK which have a good rep for delivering good training but with less painful costs.

Silverstone http://www.silverstone.co.uk/experiences/1-1-drive... Looks like it could be decent. I'm in Bedfordshire, so nice and close for me too.

Racing School http://www.racing-school.co.uk/driving/intensive-t... Strikes me as a bit odd only to give feedback after 50 laps and as it's single seater can't have a passenger instructor. Perhaps better for refining your own style rather than instructional purposes?

ART http://catdrivertraining.co.uk/driver-training-cou... Looks a bit expensive for what it is?

Lotus Driver academy http://www.lotusdrivingacademy.com/hethel/licence I'd probably only do the second 2 days. First day sounds very basic and I don't want to pay to walk around a factory for a morning, I want to learn to drive! Otherwise sounds decent.

Higher end (expensive) stuff:

Porkers http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/p... I think you need your own car for this one, but presumably for a cost you can use one of theirs. I know they have loads there which they use for their experience days etc.

Merc http://www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy/ada.ph... Looks quite cool and on the more advanced ones involves doing laps of the 'ring. Pretty damn expensive though.

Aston Martin http://www.astonmartin.com/racing/driver-academy Ok this one is just a joke. Looks amazing, but I don't have 23 grand spare!! Wish I did!

[LMP]

MSV: http://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/products/trackrace... or http://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/products/drive-a-p...

[doogalman]

Hi, i instruct at the Nurburgring and also at Spa. One suggestion that i would very highly recommend for someone in a similar situation to yourself would be a visit to one of Andy Walshe Car Limits days.
Really usefull experiance that is fun and safe. Andy specialises in car handling limits and control.
Have a read of his site and think about it. I know it's not a full circuit type thing but the opportunity to explore the limits and beyond of you and the car are immencely usefull. providing background handling skills that you will use on track and road.
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...

[spyderman8]

I can thoroughly recommend CAT driver training. I've done three courses there and the tuition is outstanding.

The Porsche Experience stuff is actually most often in their cars, not yours.

Chris.

Edited by spyderman8 on Friday 13th March 17:31

[ChevronB19]

Depending on where you are, I'd suggest Croft. Speak to Colin Elstrop. I used to be an instructor there, and Colin is an A1 teacher.

[ChevronB19]

Depending on where you are, I'd suggest Croft. Speak to Colin Elstrop. I used to be an instructor there, and Colin is an A1 teacher.

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

Done courses with Colin at CAT and Lotus both excellent. Well worth the money.

[shim]

doogalman said:

Hi, i instruct at the Nurburgring and also at Spa. One suggestion that i would very highly recommend for someone in a similar situation to yourself would be a visit to one of Andy Walshe Car Limits days.
Really usefull experiance that is fun and safe. Andy specialises in car handling limits and control.
Have a read of his site and think about it. I know it's not a full circuit type thing but the opportunity to explore the limits and beyond of you and the car are immencely usefull. providing background handling skills that you will use on track and road.
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...

this

[Robert Elise]

first rule - quality doesn't come cheap. Best to save up than waste money on an "experience". Stuff below £200 tends to be poor value imo, whereas days over £500 leave people seriously impressed.

Walshy and CAT are worth the money

can i also add this one to the list:
http://experience.caterham.co.uk/
drifting days are fun, but the Circuit day is best. 1 car between 4 people all day with (keen) instructors is good.

Don Palmer gets goods reports.

I've been on many of these but never heard of the Seven Sisters Intensive course, anyone been?? 50 laps in a Formula Ford sounds good value and the circuit looks good. With telemetry & visual they can give some feedback every 10 laps. Be good to hear from smeone whose been.

[ULTIMA69]

Mike Cooper
http://drivertuition.com/

Probably the best of the bunch, also works for Porsche and MSV.

[binnerboy]

Another in the vein of carlimits is Gary Marsh, a mate did a day with him at Abindgon. Taught him lots. these limit handling days teach you the skill;s you need rather than learning to go around a specific circuit

website here

http://aneed4speed.co.uk/

I am intending to do this later this year after coming last in some sprints (1 down 2 to go) :-)