Who's Who: Start Here.

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7db

6,058 posts

229 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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I'm db. I drive a Caterham 7 as my only car, clocking up about 20k miles a year.

Driving down where the SUVs don't see you, with side impact protection made from aluminium foil and sitting on 40 litres of petrol like a boy scout's potato focuses the mind on primary accident prevention.

I am one of StressedDave's pupils.

EmmaP

11,758 posts

238 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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Hi! I'm Emma. I am 5ft 5", love animals and want to bring about World peace

I have been driving for 15 years and in that time I have managed to get one conviction and one speeding ticket. Let's not talk about accidents :0

I passed my IAM in July this year and loved every minute of the course. I decided to do the course after losing control of my Corrado. I have become a better driver since then, but still have much to learn. I am far more critical of my driving now and am always questioning my ability and analizing how I could improve. Sometimes I feel that I have not got the heightened awareness level that I had whilst on the course. I am about to start training to be an Observer and I am really excited about this. As well as keeping my driving standard up, I am looking forward to getting into teaching again. I am a qualified lecturer, but have been largely out of it for seven years. It is great to feel that you have made a difference to someone's life and helped them improve. The knock-on effects - excuse the pun - could be great too.

>> Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 28th September 13:44

bmwdrivernigel

8,596 posts

223 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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Hi All

I am Nigel, have been working in the Chauffeur Drive business for the last 20 odd years, must have clocked up frightening mileage by now, average 80/90k a year.
I have done a multitude of driving courses including Rolls Royce Chauffeur training, Drive & Survive, Chauffeurs Guild , Defensive Driving, Anti-hijack etc etc etc...
Had one accident in last 20 yrs involving 17 tonne truck and BMW!!! Car dead, me not!
I like to think I am a considerate driver, I use my indicators (!) contrary to what I read on here sometimes.
On my days off I drive a CL500 somewhat briskly, on the straight bits anyway, must be the heaviest Coupe ever made but with 2 kids and a dog it will have to do until TVR get the Sagaris Tourer launched.
I am always willing to advise on smooth/sedate driving techniques rather than balls out hooning!!


>> Edited by bmwdrivernigel on Wednesday 28th September 14:33

cptsideways

13,535 posts

251 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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Been driving nearly 15 years Past busisness travel has taken me all over Europe. Have done in excess of 60k per annum in the past ten years. No accidents to my name in the last 12 years of driving. HGV licence too.

Did Rospa many years ago, friend in traffic got me on to roadcraft in year 1, never stopped learning to this day, Roadcraft is the one thing that has saved my life a few times over. Try on pass the roadcraft thing on to friends & colleagues where possible.

Always had the bug for learning car control, used to do a lot of winter & ice driving, since gotten into drifting in a big way, compete internationally & do demo's, run practice events & instruct with drift academy.

Also an ex pro cyclist so can see the fence from the other side


Would be very keen to get some TV style Roadcraft lessons into the nations heads. Education for the masses & all that.




EmmaP

11,758 posts

238 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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'Roadcraft' is superb. Tony Hetherington put me onto this (he also encouraged me to do the course. Thanks! ). It is so much more comprehensive than the IAM book. It explains why and how things happen or should be undertaken. This is a great aid to understanding. It is also very well illustrated. I was always bringing it up in class, but that was, rather foolishly, frowned upon.

gdaybruce

753 posts

224 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
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Name of Bruce, Been driving for 36 years (good grief!) and in that time have owned cars ranging from Lotuses to a 2CV, have rallied Minis, Escorts and an MG, done Autotests and Production Car Trials and generally really enjoyed driving. Currently own a 99 Impreza and a Discovery TD5, plus a 100cc Kart that my son races and I mess about in and which is unbelievably good fun.

Passed my IAM test about 3 years ago because I wanted to prove to myself that after all these years I actually am an OK driver. Find the IAM OK but a bit "holier than thou" and inflexible when it comes to discussing things like speed limits and braking/changing sown. Perhaps I've just spoken to the wrong people, judging from some of the posts on this site!

quad_rings

348 posts

225 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
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i m an ex pro footballer, drive a bmw x5, my hobbies include watching people have sex in cars, and spilling the beans on all my celebrity ex girlfriends kinky secrets.

Mark_SV

3,824 posts

270 months

Sunday 2nd October 2005
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gdaybruce said:
Find the IAM OK but a bit "holier than thou" and inflexible when it comes to discussing things like speed limits and braking/changing sown. Perhaps I've just spoken to the wrong people, judging from some of the posts on this site!


You have been speaking to the wrong people! Unfortunately, some IAM car groups can occasionally be like that. Thankfully, however, there are enough of the rest of us with more flexible attitudes.

IAM is an excellent foundation course on which to build and it's a great shame more people don't do it.

The police Examiners in the IAM normally have the most flexible attitudes of the lot, as they know their stuff. In contast, it's those with least knowledge who tend to be "holier than thou". A day's instruction from someone like www.ridedrive.co.uk or one of the www.hpc.org.uk instructors would enlighten them!

Cheers,

Mark (formerly involved at IAM Regional level)

TheHobbit

1,189 posts

250 months

Monday 3rd October 2005
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Well, I only just noticed this forum was here (really must pay more attention to the forums list), so this thread seemed a suitable place for a "hello".

I passed my IAM test back in 1997. I enjoy my driving, and share a couple of thoughts about push-pull steering with others on here, having read some of the comments.

I'm considering going for Observer, although my time is limited. I'm also considering ROSPA. Either of the above would force outside re-evaluation of my driving.

Cheers,

Karl

Mark_SV

3,824 posts

270 months

Monday 3rd October 2005
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Hi Karl,

My advice would, of course, be to do both! All things being equal, I'd get RoSPA Gold out of the way and then get observing. Great for your driving and a terrific way to help others.

Cheers

TheHobbit

1,189 posts

250 months

Tuesday 4th October 2005
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Thanks for that - I might have a look into my local RoSPA group...

Cheers,

Karl

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Thursday 6th October 2005
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I'm Rob (obviously!). I'm here mainly as an observer to learn more about advanced road driving and hopefulyl pick up some tips!

Road: I'm pretty average really, though I do follow the Highway code (more than most people seem to!), and have had a day of Advanced tuition from Hugh Nobblet (his company are called Cadence). He is a VERY good advanced driving coach and I would highly reccomend him on the basis of his teaching ability, which I found second to none.

Track: I've been racing for five years quite successfully (one lap record and lots of poles and wins to my credit), and also owned a Caterham for track days and weekend fun for four years (sold earlier this year). Prior to that I did a bit of karting. I have a good degree in Physics and a very active interest in the theory of car dynamics, handling and control.

I'm here to ask questions and learn for the road side of things, and if a thread moves to discussions on raw car control, I've been known to offer my opinion

J_WK

19 posts

222 months

Thursday 6th October 2005
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I'm James, new poster on this board but a lurker for almost two years now.

Been driving for around 5 years now, commute to work every day and have a general interest in improving my driving ability if only to stay alive out there!

No track days as yet, have undertaken some advanced training earlier in the year and the improvement in my driving since has been marked.

Mark_SV

3,824 posts

270 months

Friday 7th October 2005
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RobM77 said:
... Hugh Nobblet (his company are called Cadence). He is a VERY good advanced driving coach and I would highly reccomend him on the basis of his teaching ability, which I found second to none.


Aside from being a lovely chap, Hugh's on-road instruction is generally considered world class. (I don't think Hugh is active on PH, but one of his instructors - StressedDave - is.) www.cadence.co.uk are extremely highly recommended and I believe now offer "taster" sessions for anyone curious

mph999

2,714 posts

219 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
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Martin - 31 ...

IAM since 17
Observer since 18
RoSPA Silver and Gold (though not kept up as was at uni and couldn't afford it).

Still observing, just booked a half day with Ride Drive Ltd.

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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Charlie, been driving for 21 years (). Well, that's not quite ture. I started 21 years ago, but didn't do much driving in the 90s, when I was living in London, working my backside off, travelling the world and saving for a flat. Then I got my partnership, finally had some money and coould afford decent cars, but decided I needed to learn to drive.

So far I've done four BMW Fahrer Training courses in Austria and Germany, Intensive, Advanced, Perfection and Nordschleife (the first three are aimed more at road-driving skills. The last one obviously isn't). I have done one day so far with StressedDave, but will be back for more (if he dares) and a day of training at ProDrive with BMW that they give free with CSLs (half road, half track).

I have a lot still to learn (in fact you never stop learning), but unlike the average numpty, I know it.

Mark_SV

3,824 posts

270 months

Friday 16th December 2005
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NJW 77 said:
Did a half day Ride Drive yesterday. Most of it initially at lower speeds than I was expecting, showing me the 'Roadcraft' lines ...


Yeah, that's normal, especialy as half a day is quite short. As with most skills, you gotta get the basics first. As your roadcraft improves with further training and practice, the pace will pick up. It's one of those things that gets more fun, the more you do.

Starting to read Roadcraft will speed up your learning. Reading what you can of Roadcraft before your second day means you'll progress much quicker and get more out of the day. There's also a Roadcraft DVD/video, if you prefer (although it's less comprehensive than the book).

Have fun and enjoy your second day

lundy1543

52 posts

226 months

Sunday 18th December 2005
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Hi Folks, New to this forum but here goes. I am a IAM member and i passed my Police Advanced Course 3 years ago (all though no longer serving). I am also a Police Advanced Motorcyclist as well, and a HGV Class 1 driver from the Armed Forces. I'm usually found on the TVR forum where you really need to know how to drive these things. I work away from the UK normally but i'm returning soon and plan on doing the IAM Observers thing when i get back. Hope to speak and post to some of you soon. Tim.