Going to the next skill level- Driver Training etc in the NW
Discussion
Hi all, I’m looking for a bit of advice and recommendations.
I have completed quite a few track days now, somewhere around 17, and I've had the 20 minutes professional ARDS tuition at most of the events.
I feel I’m now pretty competent at putting the car roughly in the right place, on roughly the right line and roughly the right speed on most corners without too many mistakes and drama and feel I’m making good progress around the tracks without holding up traffic.
I'm also getting better at heel and toeing, making the car more stable under braking, and I’m now aware of when things that the tyres are going off, pressures are too high etc. from the driver’s seat, showing an increase in feedback awareness.
However I want to get some help going to the next level, I’m looking for someone/someplace that car teach me things like left foot braking, trail braking, coping with the car (RWD) on the limit without is being as much of a panic if the tail steps out and generally building up my confidence/skills up further.
I'm in the North West, and I have potentially 2 other friends who would go for a similar service. I have my own car which can be used, or I will happily use a schools car.
What is the best way of doing this? Is there driving schools? Do you hire an instructor at a track day for longer periods of time? What are my options? Any group type schemes where the cost can be split without too much degradation of the guidance?
Ideally locally, Oulton Park and 3 Sisters being my nearest tracks.
Thanks in advance
Matt
I have completed quite a few track days now, somewhere around 17, and I've had the 20 minutes professional ARDS tuition at most of the events.
I feel I’m now pretty competent at putting the car roughly in the right place, on roughly the right line and roughly the right speed on most corners without too many mistakes and drama and feel I’m making good progress around the tracks without holding up traffic.
I'm also getting better at heel and toeing, making the car more stable under braking, and I’m now aware of when things that the tyres are going off, pressures are too high etc. from the driver’s seat, showing an increase in feedback awareness.
However I want to get some help going to the next level, I’m looking for someone/someplace that car teach me things like left foot braking, trail braking, coping with the car (RWD) on the limit without is being as much of a panic if the tail steps out and generally building up my confidence/skills up further.
I'm in the North West, and I have potentially 2 other friends who would go for a similar service. I have my own car which can be used, or I will happily use a schools car.
What is the best way of doing this? Is there driving schools? Do you hire an instructor at a track day for longer periods of time? What are my options? Any group type schemes where the cost can be split without too much degradation of the guidance?
Ideally locally, Oulton Park and 3 Sisters being my nearest tracks.
Thanks in advance
Matt
You can choose a track day and hire an instructor for the day between you and your mates. I'd suggest no more than three of you in your own cars. That way you'll each get three or four sessions with the instructor and time on your own in between to practice what you learn. Also the ability to talk things through with the instructor when out of the car. Budget between £300 and £600 between you depending on the instructor's experience and his/her expenses for getting there. There are plenty of instructors that offer this service if you google them. Steve H is an instructor on this forum and I'm sure he would offer this.
The only problem with the above is that while you'll learn loads about faster track driving, you won't be able to learn 'on the limit' stuff because of the other track day traffic. And to be honest you don't want to go over the limit at somewhere like Oulton. Either for your own or the instructor's sake! Therefore for limit handling you need to book a course that offers it. I did one with CAT Driver training who run their courses at Milbrook in Bedford. The cost for a day's tuition for four of you would be about £400 each from memory.
The only problem with the above is that while you'll learn loads about faster track driving, you won't be able to learn 'on the limit' stuff because of the other track day traffic. And to be honest you don't want to go over the limit at somewhere like Oulton. Either for your own or the instructor's sake! Therefore for limit handling you need to book a course that offers it. I did one with CAT Driver training who run their courses at Milbrook in Bedford. The cost for a day's tuition for four of you would be about £400 each from memory.
I'd agree with most of what Boxsey has to say about the best ways to do it and I would be happy to assist, got to say that I can't fault the recommendation of Mike Cooper either, he's a very good tutor.
I wouldn't go for the BaT Caterham option TBH, they are great fun but much better if you can learn and progress in your own car.
In terms of NW tracks, Oulton would be OK but I'd also consider Anglesey as being very good for learning more about the dynamics of what the car is doing in relative safety; Three Sisters is a bit limited in my view.
Feel free to ask any questions on here or by PM if I can help at all.
Steve H
I wouldn't go for the BaT Caterham option TBH, they are great fun but much better if you can learn and progress in your own car.
In terms of NW tracks, Oulton would be OK but I'd also consider Anglesey as being very good for learning more about the dynamics of what the car is doing in relative safety; Three Sisters is a bit limited in my view.
Feel free to ask any questions on here or by PM if I can help at all.
Steve H
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