PistonHeads Driving Day - Shaftesbury, Saturday 10th August

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

It's a fact that, whilst discussing driving online can be interesting, it's a poor substitute for getting out on the road and actually doing it.

There have been a couple of previous PH driving events based in Cambridgeshire, but the most recent was in 2008 and I don't think there's been anything since. I'm proposing that we start to remedy this with a day of driving and discussion based in Shaftesbury (in Dorset, on the A30) on Saturday the 10th of August.

The format I'm proposing is:

We'll be based at a pub that will be open for breakfast at 8:30, and we can return to for lunch. Participants will be grouped into twos or threes and then take turns to each drive their own car over a choice of routes, ranging from 40 to 80 minutes for each drive. After everyone in the group has driven, they retire to the pub for discussion and refreshment.

There's no requirement or expectation to drive other vehicles, or let other people drive yours. It also doesn't matter what your car is - the point is the driving, not the vehicle. Previous experience of Advanced Driving isn't required either, just a willingness to think about what you're doing in the car and talk about it.

This kind of thing has been running on Advanced-Driving.co.uk for many years, and generally works very well. As organiser, I'll be attempting to match up groups of drivers with varying experience so that everybody gets to learn something, and we all have an enjoyable time.

I'm aware that the location won't be ideal for lots of people, but it's got to be somewhere, and it does have some really good roads right on the doorstep. Anyone whose normal driving consists mainly of commuting in town will really appreciate the difference.

Any questions, just ask.


Note for the Mods - this post approved by P. Garlick.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Yes, but with a slightly different structure so participants get to drive with more people. We know that the format, location and routes work well.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Terry - no harm in being listed here too:

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite
dombooth	Possible
Craikeybaby	Possible
mazdatezzer	Possible
TackMEU	Possible

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

yellowjack said:

Having never done anything like this before, I'm slightly nervous. I'll also have to clear it at home, as SWMBO ha many things booked over the summer, but I'm up for trying something new...

No need for nervousness - it'll be pretty informal.

The way to get the most out of days like this is to be open to discussion about alternative approaches to things. Other drivers will be doing things differently, and there's every chance you'll see something that you'll end up adopting for your own driving.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I haven't finalised the routes yet, but it's a safe bet that there will be lots of driving up and down the nearby Zig Zag Hill. I always find all those hairpins quite hard work, but the road that leads from the top is one of my absolute favourites.

Amongst the others to be included will be the road to Sturminster Newton, a loop to Blandford, and possible a longer run down towards Cerne Abbas.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

That's possibly because your colleague is on another forum, but I'll also add you here, just to make things interesting.

I'll be asking the 'possibles' whether they'd like to commit to becoming 'definites' at the beginning of August.

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite
dombooth	Possible
Craikeybaby	Possible
mazdatezzer	Possible
TackMEU	Possible
raymanh	Possible
yellowjack	Possible
Mr Grayson	Possible

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Thanks brisel - most of those roads are in the routes, but I'm now thinking that Cerne Abbas is just a bit too far after all.

robbyd said:

- Would really like to make this but won't know until nearer the time...

Well that sounds like the exact definition of a 'possible'. You're on the list:

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite
dombooth	Possible
Craikeybaby	Possible
mazdatezzer	Possible
TackMEU	Possible
raymanh	Possible
yellowjack	Possible
Mr Grayson	Possible
robbyd	Possible

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

There's a high proportion of quiet NSL roads on the routes, but they're arranged so there's plenty of time to get round while maintaining strict legality.

How you actually drive it will be up to you - it's probably best to sound out your passengers before doing anything too unusual though.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I'm guessing that was on the main A-roads, rather than the more interesting B-road alternatives. All NSL where we're going:

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Number of seats in the car is one of the questions I'll be asking shortly, and not just for reasons of my personal comfort - honest.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Just coming along for the morning would be an option - failing that we're usually done before 5pm.

Overtaking help should be available - I know from experience that powerful cars make overtakes quicker, but can also get you into trouble quickly.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

That's fine James - I'll be asking all participants if there's anyone in particular they'd like to be paired with. In fact, it's probably time to start asking for confirmations so I can give more precise numbers to the pub.

With PH-types and participants from two other forums, we could have up to 28 attendees on this event.

So, if you've expressed an interest in attending, could you please let me have (via PM or a reply on the thread) answers to the following:

1: Are you able to attend or not?

2: If coming, do you want breakfast (arrive 8.30-9am) or not (arrive for 9.30 start)?

3: Where you're currently at with your driving, or current qualifications if relevant.

4: If there's anything specific that you'd like to get from the day. For example - just to learn more / IAM-type assessment / drive with a specific person etc.

5: Finally - how many seats in the car you'll be bringing?

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Friday 2nd August 22:46

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Current PH attendee list here, and PMs going out to the unconfirmed ones now.

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite
dombooth	Possible
Craikeybaby	Unlikely
mazdatezzer	Definite
TackMEU	Possible
raymanh	Possible
yellowjack	Possible
robbyd	very likely
LordGrover	Definite
Benbayll	Yes - Morning Only)

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Calling TackMEU, raymanh and yellowjack - time to confirm or deny...

Name	Possible / Definite
S. Gonzales Esq.	Definite
Craikeybaby	Unlikely
mazdatezzer	Definite
TackMEU	Possible
raymanh	Possible
yellowjack	Possible
robbyd	Definite
LordGrover	Definite
Benbayll	Yes - (Morning Only)

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Not to worry - maybe next time.

Between the three forums involved there should be 30 people there - I'll post a report afterwards.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I'll be ending a link to the info and route notes later this evening. If you haven't seen it by tomorrow, give me a shout.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Thanks to all that made it - I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Ian - sorry to miss you in the afternoon. Thanks to Rob and Emma for the drives - forced induction really is fun.

27 attendees in the end - here are the ones that were still there when I got back:



All types of vehicle were welcome - as long as they were supercharged or twin-turbo, with at least 600bhp.