Performance road driving articles

[R_U_LOCAL?]

I think I'd better introduce myself before I start babbling on, so you know a little of my history and qualifications.

I'm Reg Local (not my real name for various reasons), and I've been a regular poster on Barryboys for a couple of years. I've been lurking on this site for a couple of months, and I like what I've seen so far.

I've been a lifelong motoring enthusiast - my parents tell me I could name every car at the age of three. I served an apprenticeship in aerospace engineering, and then worked for a while as an F3000 race mechanic.

I joined the Police in 1990 and qualified to drive panda cars in 1992. In 1995, I obtained a class 1 advanced driving permit, and became a Traffic Officer, and in 1999, I became one of the youngest officers to qualify as a Police driving instructor. I've taught Police Officers at standard and advanced levels, as well as teaching pursuit tactics and protection driving.

I've always had an interest in motorsport, and I've followed rallying and circuit racing at various levels.

My car history includes Minis, a Mk1 MR2, a couple of Alfas (a 164 and a 156), a couple of Imprezas (a turbo 2000 and an STI VII), and I've currently got an e36 M3 evo (SMG1 box) and an early 1.6 Mazda Eunos Roadster.

I've decided to write a series of articles on performance road driving. I should, firstly, emphasise the word ROAD in that sentance, as this is my particular area of expertise - I don't pretend to be an expert in circuit, gravel or off-road driving, although some techniques and skills are transferrable between disciplines.

I don't intend these articles to come across as smart-arsed and holier-than-thou, and neither do I wish to come across as though I'm in any way showing off. I'll write the articles as first posts in individual threads, and then invite comments. Feel free to openly disagree with my opinions and suggestions, as I love a good *ahem* debate.

Some of the subjects I intend to write about include:-

Smooth use of controls - steering, braking, gearchanging etc
Cornering
Overtaking
Observation skills and planning
Driver attitudes
On-limit vehicle handling

These won't be straight lifts from roadcraft, as I see some differences between operational Police driving and general performance road driving.

If there's anything else you'd like me to write about, stick it in this thread, and I'll add it to my list.

I'll try to add something every few days, as and when my other commitments allow.

[R_U_LOCAL?]

Thanks for the welcome.

I want to try to introduce a slightly different angle to the topic of advanced road driving. Mention the subject to enthusiastic drivers and there's often an assumption that advanced driving is practiced by pipe smoking, wheel shuffling road captains. I want to break that assumption, and show that you can develop a technique, or series of techniques that suit you personally, and suit the car that you drive.

Roadcraft is a great starting point for anyone wanting to improve their driving, but it should always be open to discussion. Should brake/gear overlap be an absolute no-no? How does roadcraft relate to vehicles with modern semi-automatic gearboxes? How do you maintain concentration on a long journey? Some people like to perform heel/toe gearchanges - can this be incorperated into the system? Is pull-push really the best way to steer? Etc, etc.

TripleS - your friend from Hendon may or may not agree with some of the stuff I'll write. It will depend on whether they're the type of instructor who treats Roadcraft as a driving bible, and doesn't stray from it at all, or whether he or she has a more flexible approach. I'll also be interested in their opinion.

WilliBetz - Most of my training is based around Roadcraft, but it is, first and foremost, a Police driving manual. This doesn't mean that there's anything in there that you shouldn't use yourself, but I'm flexible enough to realise there's a substantial difference between operational Police driving, and recrteational sports car driving. I'll also be looking to introduce a bit of humour and a lot of enthusiasm into the subject, and to open up some debates on various aspects of driving.

I'm just considering what areas to start with. I was going to begin with a few threads on various aspects of car control that sometimes get overlooked - how to improve your gearchanging for instance, braking and braking sense or steering. The other option is to start with the mental aspects of driving - drivers attitudes, observations and planning, concentration, avoiding red mist, etc.

If anyone has any preferences, let me know.

Edited by R_U_LOCAL? on Wednesday 14th February 18:28

[R_U_LOCAL]

Right, I've removed the question mark from my username to avoid any further quoteage complications!

Mental aspects of driving it is then. I've had plenty of ideas about what to write about, but I'll have to be careful not to ramble on or wander off topic when I'm formulating the posts.

I'll try to cobble something together later today, and hopefully post it this evening.

Thanks for the interest.

[R_U_LOCAL]

SuperKartracer said:

*On-limit vehicle handling* how do you manage this on roads with speed limits?

It's an essential skill that you should keep in reserve in case things go wrong. The thread is here...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=368019&f=154&h=0

To answer your question, though - it's very easy to overstep a cars limits whilst still remaining within the constraints of speed limits, believe me.