Taming the Beast (or Burning the Toast!)
Discussion
I have just bought my first TVR.
I have been driving my Lotus Elan S2 (M100) for the last 5 years and thoroughly enjoying it but the time has come to get something different.
Before I write the TVR or myself off on my first drive I would appreciate some advice on driving style.
The Lotus Elan is front wheel drive, 1600cc turbocharged. Light, nimble and not too far removed from the Elise apart from the obvious mid-engined, RWD bits. I have pretty much got it down as far as handling goes; to be honest you would have to be a complete tw*t to go wrong really.
Therein is my worry with the TVR. It is a 500 and it's reputation for putting the less than expert driver in the ditch is worrying me.
I have been driving cars and bikes for longer than I care to admit and have done some track days etc., but would still appreciate any advice to avoid a) losing my licence or b) losing the use of some valuable limbs or worse still c) bending the car!
At the beginning of the month, I can imagine a full tank of Shell V-Power, an open road and putting the car and myself through the paces. What's the best way of keeping the back end in and the nose pointing towards where I'm going. Plenty of power and opposite lock? Or easy on the "loud" pedal going in and accelerate out of the bends?
I can also imaging me getting towards the end of the month and wanting to be frugal on the fuel until pay day comes round again. 15mpg!!! Eeeeek! Once again, any tips would be very welcome.
Thanks in advance. S5tuart.
I have been driving my Lotus Elan S2 (M100) for the last 5 years and thoroughly enjoying it but the time has come to get something different.
Before I write the TVR or myself off on my first drive I would appreciate some advice on driving style.
The Lotus Elan is front wheel drive, 1600cc turbocharged. Light, nimble and not too far removed from the Elise apart from the obvious mid-engined, RWD bits. I have pretty much got it down as far as handling goes; to be honest you would have to be a complete tw*t to go wrong really.
Therein is my worry with the TVR. It is a 500 and it's reputation for putting the less than expert driver in the ditch is worrying me.
I have been driving cars and bikes for longer than I care to admit and have done some track days etc., but would still appreciate any advice to avoid a) losing my licence or b) losing the use of some valuable limbs or worse still c) bending the car!
At the beginning of the month, I can imagine a full tank of Shell V-Power, an open road and putting the car and myself through the paces. What's the best way of keeping the back end in and the nose pointing towards where I'm going. Plenty of power and opposite lock? Or easy on the "loud" pedal going in and accelerate out of the bends?
I can also imaging me getting towards the end of the month and wanting to be frugal on the fuel until pay day comes round again. 15mpg!!! Eeeeek! Once again, any tips would be very welcome.
Thanks in advance. S5tuart.
The TVR was the first real RWD car I had driven, I guess the main things that I would say would be;
1. Keep it very easy in the wet.
2. Get some instruction, I have spent a fair bit of money since buying the TVR but would say the best money was on advanced training learning how and what the car will do is essential.
they are monsters thats fact, they dont have all the gizmos of these modern dumbed down cars, so respect it.
1. Keep it very easy in the wet.
2. Get some instruction, I have spent a fair bit of money since buying the TVR but would say the best money was on advanced training learning how and what the car will do is essential.
they are monsters thats fact, they dont have all the gizmos of these modern dumbed down cars, so respect it.
I'm sure some very experinced drivers will be offering great advice....
Take it VERY easy in the wet, and and accellerate slowly (with respect should I say) out of corners. Stay off the white painted lines. It does not take great effort or skill to end up backwards through a hedge.
Give it welly in the dry, but only once you have straightened the car up. These two rules have kept me on the black stuff so far, and my NCB in tact.
Enjoy the car though, give it stick!
Take it VERY easy in the wet, and and accellerate slowly (with respect should I say) out of corners. Stay off the white painted lines. It does not take great effort or skill to end up backwards through a hedge.
Give it welly in the dry, but only once you have straightened the car up. These two rules have kept me on the black stuff so far, and my NCB in tact.
Enjoy the car though, give it stick!
First few months of mine, and yes it was over the winter, take it slowly and carefully. Only after you've had a bit of training e.g. RideDrive people who will teach you further about your car would I start to push it a bit more. You can slip around easily if you're not sure what the car is going to do.
p.s. I went from a front whell drive. Yes, it is very different..
Most of all, treat it with respect, and then they aren't as bad as many like to make out (IMHO)
Have fun and enjoy it!
p.s. I went from a front whell drive. Yes, it is very different..
Most of all, treat it with respect, and then they aren't as bad as many like to make out (IMHO)
Have fun and enjoy it!
S5Tuart,
The best thing to learn with a TVR is heal and toe when changing down. (The pedals are adjustable)
The most common cause of single vehical accidents with TVR's is engine braking.
ALWAYS match the engine revs to road speed like you would with a big bike when changing down, ie blip the throttle.
If you don't you may get away with it most times but one day you won't.
As the engine is large in a small car the effect of engine braking is very noticable even in forth gear
as you will probably have noticed already. So just letting out the clutch as you change down can cause the wheels
to run slower than road speed and it has a similar effect to pulling on the hand brake. From then on you are going
straight to the scene of the accident.
So NEVER engine brake on a down change.
Above all enjoy and take it easy in the wet.
Cheers.
Paul
The best thing to learn with a TVR is heal and toe when changing down. (The pedals are adjustable)
The most common cause of single vehical accidents with TVR's is engine braking.
ALWAYS match the engine revs to road speed like you would with a big bike when changing down, ie blip the throttle.
If you don't you may get away with it most times but one day you won't.
As the engine is large in a small car the effect of engine braking is very noticable even in forth gear
as you will probably have noticed already. So just letting out the clutch as you change down can cause the wheels
to run slower than road speed and it has a similar effect to pulling on the hand brake. From then on you are going
straight to the scene of the accident.
So NEVER engine brake on a down change.
Above all enjoy and take it easy in the wet.
Cheers.
Paul
Blimey ... heel and toe is far too complicated for me, I simply double de-clutch giving the throttle a quick blip ... but the reasoning is sound, you can easily lock the wheels under extreme engine braking.
The most important rule is don't hoof it until you are pointing straight. Apart from that they are fairly predictable if you don't get too blasai (sp?)
The most important rule is don't hoof it until you are pointing straight. Apart from that they are fairly predictable if you don't get too blasai (sp?)
Wow! Great advice already! Thanks everyone. Heel and toe is CRACKING advice Paul, something I'll use as I get better aquainted with the car and start to enjoy what I bought it for in the first place! FUN!
Now, ahem! What can I do about the fuel consumption during the 5 week months????
Now, ahem! What can I do about the fuel consumption during the 5 week months????
I went from a 1.4 Fiesta to a 450 Chim and it is indeed a little different! I remember when I picked mine up, it was the 2nd Nov, pitch black and I had to drive the thing home with the ice light on red all the way - buttocks were well and truely clentched and my jaw ached for a day after due to me having had my teeth subconciously clentched all the way as well as having huge lumps of adrenalin pumping through my veins! One of the best days ever though, it has to be said. One other tip for driving I can think of is to remember that peak torque is at around 4/4.5k revs so if its wet and you are accelerating - especially on an incline or with the wheels not straight, the back end can be deceptive in that it will feel fine and planted but then suddenly start to break traction as you hit 4k revs. I've had this happen a couple of times and its fine if you're expecting it and give it some opposite lock but it could end up with some embarrassment and a big bill...
If you do find yourself going sideways, it is surprisingly easy to bring back (though I do assume this can vary with tyre type). I find holding the revs pretty steady, perhaps backing off *very* gently, giving some opposite lock until the back rejoins you works just fine and results in a big smile - though I do suggest trying this somewhere very wide and open, in the wet, at night, nice and slow, with no-one around so you don't end up making a fool of yourself
Petrol wise, you just have to sigh and head back to good old Shell and promise yourself not to have so much fun this month (which shall never happen...). You can cut the bill by a fair amount by not inducing pops and bangs on the overrun with that tiny bit of throttle, and by not leaving it in 1st and 2nd gear far too long just because it sounds good... - but just try and resist it for a month!
If you do find yourself going sideways, it is surprisingly easy to bring back (though I do assume this can vary with tyre type). I find holding the revs pretty steady, perhaps backing off *very* gently, giving some opposite lock until the back rejoins you works just fine and results in a big smile - though I do suggest trying this somewhere very wide and open, in the wet, at night, nice and slow, with no-one around so you don't end up making a fool of yourself
Petrol wise, you just have to sigh and head back to good old Shell and promise yourself not to have so much fun this month (which shall never happen...). You can cut the bill by a fair amount by not inducing pops and bangs on the overrun with that tiny bit of throttle, and by not leaving it in 1st and 2nd gear far too long just because it sounds good... - but just try and resist it for a month!
I'm no expert and I still drive my 450 like its going to bite me..after 3 years! The things that work for me are listed here - Im sure plenty will argue some of the points but this is what works well for me, mr average driver:
1. Keep the power neutral through the corners - unless you want to get the back end out ;-)
2. Never engine brake by changing down it WILL get you one day - yes I have been through that hedge backwards
3. You can easily despatch most machinery and still change up at 4K revs - save the beasting for when you need it most
4. Max torque comes in in the low 5k revs, always change up mid 5k's
5. Get steve heath's rose jointed droplinks
6. Always always warm her up gently for a few miles before going over 3k revs
7. When the back end is out, give it opposite lock then control it on the throttle. More fun than sex.
8. Always carry spare underpants and trousers
Dodsy
1. Keep the power neutral through the corners - unless you want to get the back end out ;-)
2. Never engine brake by changing down it WILL get you one day - yes I have been through that hedge backwards
3. You can easily despatch most machinery and still change up at 4K revs - save the beasting for when you need it most
4. Max torque comes in in the low 5k revs, always change up mid 5k's
5. Get steve heath's rose jointed droplinks
6. Always always warm her up gently for a few miles before going over 3k revs
7. When the back end is out, give it opposite lock then control it on the throttle. More fun than sex.
8. Always carry spare underpants and trousers
Dodsy
Great advice about engine braking guys and gals! It never occurred to me about that great gurgling lump being in control of about 3oz of bodywork on the overrun.
What a good forum this is!
The car has a Tornado chip in place so I may get somewhat better than standard consumption, but I take the point that it will be excrutiatingly difficult not to let her roar at "the opposition"
There are a couple of retail parks around the Bedford area that are under construction so I will probably go practise my "waltzing" there when it rains.
Thanks for the tip about carrying spare boxers! LOL!
What a good forum this is!
The car has a Tornado chip in place so I may get somewhat better than standard consumption, but I take the point that it will be excrutiatingly difficult not to let her roar at "the opposition"
There are a couple of retail parks around the Bedford area that are under construction so I will probably go practise my "waltzing" there when it rains.
Thanks for the tip about carrying spare boxers! LOL!
I would add to that about car balance, and never under-estimate what it can do. On top of skid control courses (run by friendly old bill), I have done a few few RWD rally courses - very useful to know what to do on the very slippy stuff.
Apart from not taking liberties unless it's a big, open and deserted road), have fun. It may occasionally be a challenge, but at the end of the day that's why we drive these beasts, and take great pride in doing so, and keeping it on the black stuff.
See you out there!
Apart from not taking liberties unless it's a big, open and deserted road), have fun. It may occasionally be a challenge, but at the end of the day that's why we drive these beasts, and take great pride in doing so, and keeping it on the black stuff.
See you out there!
Some sage advice here 
One thing Id add it that the car isnt intimidating to drive nor always twitchy. If you drive as everyone has described, Chim's feel well planted and secure. Ive never had unwanted sideways action or brown trouser moments unless Ive done something silly. Maintaining a healthy respect for the car even after youve had it a while is key.
One useful factor is the lonnnnngggg travel throttle. You aren't going to sneeze and accidentally unleash another 100bhp
.
One thing Id add it that the car isnt intimidating to drive nor always twitchy. If you drive as everyone has described, Chim's feel well planted and secure. Ive never had unwanted sideways action or brown trouser moments unless Ive done something silly. Maintaining a healthy respect for the car even after youve had it a while is key.
One useful factor is the lonnnnngggg travel throttle. You aren't going to sneeze and accidentally unleash another 100bhp
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