Sideways style
Discussion
As a newbie to the Monaro I was quite nervous of it's size, weight and RWD with all that torque - especially being used to a classic Scooby for so long.
So I thought rather than pussyfoot about trying not to scare myself I'd do something about it.
My fiance had done a limit handling day with Don Palmer, the Fundamentals of Car Control, at Bruntingthorpe when she first got her Supra and I was able to see the benefit to hear driving so I thought it must be my turn now.
Having a nice open airfield to play on and a friendly expert sitting next to you is the best way to learn about the finer points of tyre grip and balancing the weight.
He has a very good teaching method of you taking him for a drive in your car. Then he takes you for a drive and asks you what you notice about how different it is (and even if you're good, it's very different).
Throughout the day you stop and he goes through some technical details on your tyres and weight distribution / balance, that on it's own I'd find very interesting, but in tandem with a car, an expert and loads of wet space, it's truly enlightening.
Sooner than I'd have thought possible I was finishing every lap with an lovely 2nd gear slide on opposite lock.
Obviously they weren't all perfect but nothing beats that feeling when you meant to do it and your on the lock stops with the tyres smoking!
Fortunately it was a wet day so it was easier to do at lower speed and I still have some life left on my rear tyres, which I was very pleased with!
The days are small groups of 2 of 3 people - there was Mark and his 997 Carrera4S and Andy with his 400bhp ex Bob Rawle STi8.
It's nice to get a chance to take each other out and travel in a car like the 911 that I'd never have a chance to. As well as speak to and get more ideas from other like minded chaps. It works really well.
I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone - best day out in the car EVER!
You don't have to drive sideways - but it helps!!
No where's that thread with all those big empty car parks I saw before Christmas...? :-)
I followed the day up with a full day road course, again with Don, working towards membership of the HPC.
While I've always considered myself a better than average driver he showed me lots of subtle techniques that, while I knew them in theory and had tried to put them into practice myself, had never really been able to put into practice with much confidence.
Until now - as with the handling day Don lets you show him what you can do. Then he takes over for a short while to show you what he was explaining to you. You jump back in the car and everything's much clearer... I never thought I'd be so comfortable in high speed B-Road driving or overtaking as I am now.
While Don's website says you won't be encouraged to overtake everything that moves, as I'd mentioned this as a major weak point he made sure I never missed a safe opportunity when it arrived.
Brilliant day - after 2 days I'm shattered and broke, but it was well worth it!!
www.donpalmer.co.uk for anyone who's interested... I know I am! I've already discussed with him another day and a half road driving, for entry into the HPC (of which he is one of only 2 'gatekeepers') and, just because it was SO much fun, another day at Bruntinghtorpe for the next step up in limit handling and car control.
I really can't wait...!
So I thought rather than pussyfoot about trying not to scare myself I'd do something about it.
My fiance had done a limit handling day with Don Palmer, the Fundamentals of Car Control, at Bruntingthorpe when she first got her Supra and I was able to see the benefit to hear driving so I thought it must be my turn now.
Having a nice open airfield to play on and a friendly expert sitting next to you is the best way to learn about the finer points of tyre grip and balancing the weight.
He has a very good teaching method of you taking him for a drive in your car. Then he takes you for a drive and asks you what you notice about how different it is (and even if you're good, it's very different).
Throughout the day you stop and he goes through some technical details on your tyres and weight distribution / balance, that on it's own I'd find very interesting, but in tandem with a car, an expert and loads of wet space, it's truly enlightening.
Sooner than I'd have thought possible I was finishing every lap with an lovely 2nd gear slide on opposite lock.
Obviously they weren't all perfect but nothing beats that feeling when you meant to do it and your on the lock stops with the tyres smoking!
Fortunately it was a wet day so it was easier to do at lower speed and I still have some life left on my rear tyres, which I was very pleased with!
The days are small groups of 2 of 3 people - there was Mark and his 997 Carrera4S and Andy with his 400bhp ex Bob Rawle STi8.
It's nice to get a chance to take each other out and travel in a car like the 911 that I'd never have a chance to. As well as speak to and get more ideas from other like minded chaps. It works really well.
I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone - best day out in the car EVER!
You don't have to drive sideways - but it helps!!
No where's that thread with all those big empty car parks I saw before Christmas...? :-)
I followed the day up with a full day road course, again with Don, working towards membership of the HPC.
While I've always considered myself a better than average driver he showed me lots of subtle techniques that, while I knew them in theory and had tried to put them into practice myself, had never really been able to put into practice with much confidence.
Until now - as with the handling day Don lets you show him what you can do. Then he takes over for a short while to show you what he was explaining to you. You jump back in the car and everything's much clearer... I never thought I'd be so comfortable in high speed B-Road driving or overtaking as I am now.
While Don's website says you won't be encouraged to overtake everything that moves, as I'd mentioned this as a major weak point he made sure I never missed a safe opportunity when it arrived.
Brilliant day - after 2 days I'm shattered and broke, but it was well worth it!!
www.donpalmer.co.uk for anyone who's interested... I know I am! I've already discussed with him another day and a half road driving, for entry into the HPC (of which he is one of only 2 'gatekeepers') and, just because it was SO much fun, another day at Bruntinghtorpe for the next step up in limit handling and car control.
I really can't wait...!
Edited by darkblueturbo on Friday 5th January 11:30
I had to save up for a bit - it is quite expensive, but well worth it!
And it's about 2/3rd's a tank of petrol... 7mpg the computer showed I got on the day :-)
I was prepared to buy a new pair of rear tyres too, but fortunately it was wet which made it a) easier to get the back moving and b) the tyres still have plently of useful life left in them.
One thing I was quite surprised about / impressed by was just how much grip it does have in the wet with the TC off - being able to accelerate very hard in 3rd with little of no slip. Granted it's a standard CV8 so it isn't BIG power, but even so.
It gave me so much more confidence in the car on the road, knowing that I wasn't anywhere near it's limit when I was getting nervy before. And about all, it's HUGE fun!
Luckily with the noise limit mine's still standard so wasn't making that much noise. The Scooby was fairly loud though... Not sure how many db's but
And it's about 2/3rd's a tank of petrol... 7mpg the computer showed I got on the day :-)
I was prepared to buy a new pair of rear tyres too, but fortunately it was wet which made it a) easier to get the back moving and b) the tyres still have plently of useful life left in them.
One thing I was quite surprised about / impressed by was just how much grip it does have in the wet with the TC off - being able to accelerate very hard in 3rd with little of no slip. Granted it's a standard CV8 so it isn't BIG power, but even so.
It gave me so much more confidence in the car on the road, knowing that I wasn't anywhere near it's limit when I was getting nervy before. And about all, it's HUGE fun!
Luckily with the noise limit mine's still standard so wasn't making that much noise. The Scooby was fairly loud though... Not sure how many db's but
Ouch that's proper loud! (no wonder I want one for mine!)
To be honest I'm not sure they're too worried about it... I've been down there in the past in my Impreza which is stupidly loud (my neighbours tell me their windows rattle!) and no one said anything or even came down to do a test...
I'd definitely suggest the silencers to be installed though! Every little helps...
To be honest I'm not sure they're too worried about it... I've been down there in the past in my Impreza which is stupidly loud (my neighbours tell me their windows rattle!) and no one said anything or even came down to do a test...
I'd definitely suggest the silencers to be installed though! Every little helps...
I did a track day at brands with the middle boxes in on the Wortec exhaust with headers (CV8) and had no probs - about 98db I believe.
Have to say having tanked the thing on track you really do realise the amountof grip the car has. Have to do it again now I have a few more mods. Well worth doing but not sure it needs to be that expensive.
Have to say having tanked the thing on track you really do realise the amountof grip the car has. Have to do it again now I have a few more mods. Well worth doing but not sure it needs to be that expensive.
Have also done the Don Palmer days (twice now, once in a Skyline and last year in the Monaro). I can also recommend Don and echo Darkblues comments. I did mine in the CV8 prior to changing brakes and the stock ones didnt last long and needed to be cooled down frequently during the conework. Re noise levels, generally the training occurs at the far end of the runway well away from the sound meters (unless they have added more) so its not usually a problem, its only if you go for a vmax run from the far end of the runway to the other that you come into contact with the sound meters and they do police them. Every time I have been there with a loud car near the meters they will come out and let you know. Otherwise enjoy!
Forum | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff