Passed IAM test. What next?

Passed IAM test. What next?

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WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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Much of what I learnt on the IAM course was about observation and planning. These are obviously valuable skills to have on the road and my driving has certainly improved because of it.

I would now like to increase my knowledge and skill where car control and vehicle dynamics are concerned. IPSGA is all well and good for normal road driving but it is certainly not the most exciting way to drive.

I feel that when I begin to push on on an empty country road, using acceleration sense and the limit point, though smooth and safe, I'm left wanting more. I'd like to start learning advanced techniques so I can begin to really hustle the car along.

I'm aware that (very) late breaking, heel and toe etc are not really required/suited to normal road driving but being a motoring enthusiast forum I'm sure most of you will understand the desire to want to learn a more aggressive type of driving that is not so focused on passenger comfort, but more on the satisfaction and exhilaration of getting the car through a set of corners in the fastest way possible.

Where do I look for this type of coaching? Are there any good books or websites I should become familiar with?

Thanks.

SK425

1,034 posts

148 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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WetPaint said:
Much of what I learnt on the IAM course was about observation and planning. These are obviously valuable skills to have on the road and my driving has certainly improved because of it.

I would now like to increase my knowledge and skill where car control and vehicle dynamics are concerned. IPSGA is all well and good for normal road driving but it is certainly not the most exciting way to drive.

I feel that when I begin to push on on an empty country road, using acceleration sense and the limit point, though smooth and safe, I'm left wanting more. I'd like to start learning advanced techniques so I can begin to really hustle the car along.
What will make it more exciting? What is it about the way you've been driving for the IAM course that's not satisfying you - what will hustling the car along feel like? Do you want your overall average speed on the fun roads to be higher? Do you want your speed at particular points on the road to be higher? Do you want to more g forces? Do you want it to feel faster regardless of whether it actually is or not?

WetPaint said:
I'm aware that (very) late breaking, heel and toe etc are not really required/suited to normal road driving but being a motoring enthusiast forum I'm sure most of you will understand the desire to want to learn a more aggressive type of driving that is not so focused on passenger comfort, but more on the satisfaction and exhilaration of getting the car through a set of corners in the fastest way possible.
What are you prepared to change or abandon in your current driving style? Some of the things you've mentioned - e.g. observation and planning, the limit point - are not going to become less important if you want to get through a set of corners the fastest way possible, at least if you want to do it within the constraints of driving safely.

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,556 posts

211 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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Have you been in a car with with anyone that drives in the way you'd like to? It sounds like your IAM group didn't inspire, so you need to seek out drivers who can.

There's nothing necessarily slow about IPSGA and other IAM techniques, but they do need to be applied appropriately. You may find that 'aggressive' and exciting' aren't the adjectives you should be looking for. Perhaps 'exhilarating' and 'progressive' will be where you end up.

The low-budget option is to sign up at Advanced-Driving.co.uk, ask questions and attend as many of their driving days as you can manage. There's a 'mentoring' thread on there too, with members offering informal drives.

With more budget, there are a number of coaches who could help you find what you want to go next from £300 a day and up.

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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Have you enquired about the IAM masters test?

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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Most bends on UK roads are unsighted. How do you imagine it would be possible to negotiate an unsighted bend in a more exciting way while still remaining safe?

Most of the top echelon of advanced driving or 'high performance' coaches would help you develop the same sort of skills to a higher standard. While some would certainly help you understand and explore vehicle dynamics in a safe environment, the idea would not be to make road driving more exciting. The ultimate objective would be very smooth driving, maintaining a consistent and high level of safety, while taking full advantage of the capability of your car and achieving excellent progress.

For other recommendations look at the Advanced Driving Links thread.

SVS

3,824 posts

270 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
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Hi WetPaint,

Firstly, congratulations on your IAM success! And well done for wanting more.

The IPSGA system was devised for police pursuit drivers who needed to drive extremely fast without crashing. IAM 'entry level' merely teaches the rudiments of this system, without the chance to learn how to apply it at higher speeds. I've been fortunate enough to have had a week's instruction from the police without speed limits on the Isle of Man: we used IPSGA, the limit point, etc right up to high 3-figure speeds. In short, the System and IPSGA become even more important as speeds increase.

My strong recommendation would be to do a half-day or day with a coach for the High Performance Clubthumbup A day with an HPC course provider would certainly meet what you're after.

If this is too much money, then an event with Advanced Driving UK would be good too. AD UK runs several driving days over the year.

You might additionally consider IAM Masters, because the Masters programme should cover conering and especially overtaking at a higher level.

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. Will definately check out the police Course.

I guess what im really looking for is more track/on the limit focused car control rather than faster road driving.

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
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Book yourself on a trackday! You can buy 20 minute sessions with an instructor, and if you go open pitlane you'll have a 6 hour window to drive on track as fast as you like.

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,556 posts

211 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
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WetPaint said:
I guess what im really looking for is more track/on the limit focused car control rather than faster road driving.
Step one has to be to get a better idea of what you want to do. If you're not intending to race or do regular trackdays, there are probably better things to spend time on than limit handling.

My advice again - get out in cars with people who know what they're doing. Try to work out how they're doing it, and if you want to be able to do the same.

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Friday 21st February 2014
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But - track days and limit handling are fun and exciting. So if excitement is what the op wants, that may be where to go looking.

Rick101

6,959 posts

149 months

Friday 21st February 2014
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Interesting. Also done IAM recently and though great fun, didn't give the ability I was hoping for. It's mostly very basic stuff which I think should be done on the standard driving test.

SK425

1,034 posts

148 months

Friday 21st February 2014
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waremark said:
But - track days and limit handling are fun and exciting. So if excitement is what the op wants, that may be where to go looking.
That's what I thought. Don Palmer sprung immediately to mind when I read the OP's second post.

WetPaint - look him up.

R0G

4,984 posts

154 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
Rick101 said:
Interesting. Also done IAM recently and though great fun, didn't give the ability I was hoping for. It's mostly very basic stuff which I think should be done on the standard driving test.
Like the DSA L test its a starting point

I progressed after the test using the system of vehicle control

I also used frequent checks from the observers to check I was progressing safely etc which is the bit missing from the basic L test

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,556 posts

211 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
waremark said:
But - track days and limit handling are fun and exciting. So if excitement is what the op wants, that may be where to go looking.
I suppose it's natural to read a thread and to focus more on the bits that chime with you personally. Whether or not this necessarily means that I miss the point I'm not sure.

My experience of Advanced Driving has been largely motivated by a desire to drive in a way I find satisfying and engaging, but without the guilt I occasionally used to get after a 'spirited' drive - there were times when I wasn't sure whether I was skilful, or actually relying on luck and had just 'got away with it' that day.

My strong impression is that a very large proportion of the Advanced Driving community don't share this view. Safety, compliance, economy, recognition of achievement are their motivators, and as a result I've had to be more active at searching out who to get advice from.

I'm now in a position that I occasionally get to meet people who are new to Advanced Driving, but are being put off by the apparent lack of appreciation of the importance of fun alongside all the other worthwhile things. There's a very particular expression people have on their faces at the end of a drive where they've seen how the skills they've learnt can be used to put together an exhilarating yet safe drive - it looks like a light bulb going on.

I may have misread the OP, but it seemed to me that they're one of those people who need a light-bulb moment that their IAM experience to date hasn't provided.

Rick101

6,959 posts

149 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
SVS said:
My strong recommendation would be to do a half-day or day with a coach for the High Performance Clubthumbup A day with an HPC course provider would certainly meet what you're after.
The HPc sounded interesting but after looking at the website I'm none the wiser.
Nothing of substance on there about what they actually do, what it costs etc.
Best I could find were two contacts, one in Bridgend, one in Banbury. I'm in Yorkshire so thats not much good to me.

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
Palmer Sport seems to tick all the boxes for what I'm after. Good shout. Just need to save some pennies now!

SK425

1,034 posts

148 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
WetPaint said:
Palmer Sport seems to tick all the boxes for what I'm after. Good shout. Just need to save some pennies now!
I don't think anyone did shout Palmer Sport did they? smile

The Palmer I mentioned was a different one.

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
Where's the whoosh parrot?

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Saturday 22nd February 2014
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SK425 said:
WetPaint said:
Palmer Sport seems to tick all the boxes for what I'm after. Good shout. Just need to save some pennies now!
I don't think anyone did shout Palmer Sport did they? smile

The Palmer I mentioned was a different one.
I believe that Palmer Sport is about hilarious and exciting entertainment rather than about learning useful skills. Only you can decide if that is what you want. Don Palmer helps you learn about car dynamics and how to take advantage of them - also fun, not quite so hilarious, but you learn a lot more.

waremark

3,241 posts

212 months

Saturday 22nd February 2014
quotequote all
Rick101 said:
The HPc sounded interesting but after looking at the website I'm none the wiser.
Nothing of substance on there about what they actually do, what it costs etc.
Best I could find were two contacts, one in Bridgend, one in Banbury. I'm in Yorkshire so thats not much good to me.
PM sent.