Becoming an advanced instructor

[DanH]

Had a great day, although I was surprised how shattered I was in the evening. Lots to learn, so about to pop out for a couple of hours practise.

Wish my front splitter hadn't been half torn off by an unfortunate kamikazi rabbit on the way to meeting Dave though!

[volvos70t5]

Aren't there various grades of ADI? What do the various grades mean?

[StressedDave]

Yep - Grades 4,5 & 6. Measured in terms of what the DSA consider to be instructional ability - not exactly sure what the difference between the terms is but they tend to be very nit-picky: one pertson got knocked down from a 6 to a 5 because he spent too long on the briefing. Not very relevant to advanced trainers because they work on a one hour snapshot when we generally spend a half-day/day with clients.

For the record, I'm still waiting for my check test...I've been put in the too difficult pile because I never bring novices to test.

[7db]

We could pop the examiner in the back next time we go out if you like?

[StressedDave]

7db said:

We could pop the examiner in the back next time we go out if you like?

Gaffer taped to the rollbar? - there's barely enough room in the SV for me

[7db]

Have you tried getting in the standard car? How did the CSR work out? Was out blatting with one today. Can't work out what they did with all the extra BHP - certainly wasn't coming out of his wheels...

[StressedDave]

CSR isn't until next week - I do 'fit' in the standard car, provided you have a large crane to extract me at the end of the day and a team of crack physiotherapists available

As for the power not coming out of the tyres argument - I think you'll find the driver hasn't been exposed to the DT 'more power' mantra enough - you only get all the horses if the foot goes right to the floor in the right places. Remember it doesn't matter what your entry speed is - it's exit speed that counts and if you're driving into corners at the limit of confidence then you won't be accelerating until the wheels are straight and someone with better lines will keep up/overtake. It's as true on the track as it is on the road.

[7db]

StressedDave said:

I think you'll find the driver hasn't been exposed to the DT 'more power' mantra enough

I could have sworn I heard you muttering something along the lines of "I think that's quite enough power" the other day...

[StressedDave]

Only because you'd managed to get just the right amount of power and adding more was only going to cause understeer...

[7db]

I think that understeer was going to help me exit the corner.

I suspect your concern was that the tarmac was exiting the corner in a different place...

[pauldrummer1975]

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate all your help. I'm currently arranging a RoSPA test and a Cardington test (because it's there). Fingers crossed I'll be successful and can feel smug knowing that I'm an "advanced instructor"

[BOF]

pauldrummer1975 said:

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate all your help. I'm currently arranging a RoSPA test and a Cardington test (because it's there). Fingers crossed I'll be successful and can feel smug knowing that I'm an "advanced instructor"

Paul,

Don't worry, with the work you are doing, there will come a moment when you just FEEL that you are an advanced instructor...and you hopefully will be - but never feel smug...the minute you begin to think you are a GOOD driver, you are not.

Good Luck.

BOF.