Don Palmer Vs Andy Walsh
Discussion
Who would win in a fight? 
Ok, scrub that... what are people's thoughts on Car Limits versus Don Palmer's Car Control courses?
Only done an activity day at North Weald before, but it struck me as good value. The Car Limits days are certainly a lot cheaper than even a basic course with Don Palmer and it's a lot nearer than trekking up to Leicestershire.
Any other suggestions in the South East?
Also, what are people's thoughts on a coaching day like the above as opposed to simply hiring an instructor at a track day?
Ok, scrub that... what are people's thoughts on Car Limits versus Don Palmer's Car Control courses?
Only done an activity day at North Weald before, but it struck me as good value. The Car Limits days are certainly a lot cheaper than even a basic course with Don Palmer and it's a lot nearer than trekking up to Leicestershire.
Any other suggestions in the South East?
Also, what are people's thoughts on a coaching day like the above as opposed to simply hiring an instructor at a track day?
A key question is how many students per course? When I did a day with Don Palmer there were two students. The day I did with Andy Walsh there were 10 or 12 (it was more of an experience day there was another instructor to be fair).
The Don Palmer day did cost more than 5 times as much as the AW day, but I got more than five times as much out of it.
I'm also not sure they really cover the same ground.
The Don Palmer day did cost more than 5 times as much as the AW day, but I got more than five times as much out of it.
I'm also not sure they really cover the same ground.
I've done full day courses with both Don Palmer and Andy Walsh. They were both as much fun as each other. Both were focussed on getting me to understand the cars dynamics - Dons by driving fast around cones and Bruntingthorpe and Andy's by driving ever faster around a left hand bend. (I have missed a lot out of this description - but I would recommend either). The main difference is in style - Dons asks you to answer questions to get you to reflect whereas Andy’s tells you thinks and asks for your opinion.
I think to be honest a simple case of logistics gets it - North Weald is a lot closer than Bruntingthrope, especially when you're in a car that does 4,000rpm at 60mph in top!
Has to be said I was reffering to one of the 2 or 4 person car control days with Car Limits, not the group activity days. That said, I did one of the group days earlier this year and it was phenomenally good value for the price of a night out.
Has to be said I was reffering to one of the 2 or 4 person car control days with Car Limits, not the group activity days. That said, I did one of the group days earlier this year and it was phenomenally good value for the price of a night out.
They are different ! I've done both - twice.
Andy Walsh is definitely less expensive , however what Don Palmer gives you is not a repeat of what Andy Walsh does , so between the two you are likely to cover most of the 'car control' options .
I do a lot of track days , which is one of the most expensive leisure pursuits , and its usually cheaper to learn more about driving fast by one -on one experience than to hot-up your car or doing loads more trackdays !
Recommend that you keep an open mind on who to go with for instruction , and try as many as you can....look out for those who are race winners in the type of car you drive.
Andy Walsh is definitely less expensive , however what Don Palmer gives you is not a repeat of what Andy Walsh does , so between the two you are likely to cover most of the 'car control' options .
I do a lot of track days , which is one of the most expensive leisure pursuits , and its usually cheaper to learn more about driving fast by one -on one experience than to hot-up your car or doing loads more trackdays !
Recommend that you keep an open mind on who to go with for instruction , and try as many as you can....look out for those who are race winners in the type of car you drive.
Can't speak for Mr Walsh, but "the Don" will teach you how to learn, rather than just say "brake here, turn in here, gas gas gas" like some trackday instructors do (but to be fair they've only got 20 mins) though they can be helpful to learn a track you don't know.
I went on Don's basic course, and am still learning stuff 18 months on. Maybe that just makes me a slow learner?
Glad I paid the money and would (and will) do it again
I went on Don's basic course, and am still learning stuff 18 months on. Maybe that just makes me a slow learner?
Glad I paid the money and would (and will) do it again
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff