Doing HPC next year. Don or Cadence?
Discussion
I've decided its time to do the HPC course. I need a new challenge and driving is life so it had to be really.
I've already passed IAM and have a Rospa Gold so, hopefully, I'm at a reasonable standard for entry. I'll probably do the IAM Special Assessment along the way...
HPC entry is via only two "gatekeeper" training companies, however: Which makes getting in an expensive business, despite membership being very reasonable! Still - it is partly this exclusivity and most certainly the necessary depth of training required that makes the club attractive - not to mention the excellent insurance scheme - that covers unlimited track days, it would appear!
And so - I need to choose. Cadence or Don Palmer.
Cadence do a course for about a grand aimed at getting you in. Not quite sure about Don - a day with him is £400 but I'm not certain how many will really be required. In each case I'll bet its great fun, of course....
HPC members, and qualified others: Who would you go with? Who DID you go with?
I feel I have reasonably strong entry qualifications - am I deluding myself? Or is there a chance that I could make the grade with just a day with Don?
I'd love to spend time with Don just for the obvious amusement: "Do you mind if we call you Don to avoid confusion?" :hehe:
I've already passed IAM and have a Rospa Gold so, hopefully, I'm at a reasonable standard for entry. I'll probably do the IAM Special Assessment along the way...
HPC entry is via only two "gatekeeper" training companies, however: Which makes getting in an expensive business, despite membership being very reasonable! Still - it is partly this exclusivity and most certainly the necessary depth of training required that makes the club attractive - not to mention the excellent insurance scheme - that covers unlimited track days, it would appear!
And so - I need to choose. Cadence or Don Palmer.
Cadence do a course for about a grand aimed at getting you in. Not quite sure about Don - a day with him is £400 but I'm not certain how many will really be required. In each case I'll bet its great fun, of course....
HPC members, and qualified others: Who would you go with? Who DID you go with?
I feel I have reasonably strong entry qualifications - am I deluding myself? Or is there a chance that I could make the grade with just a day with Don?
I'd love to spend time with Don just for the obvious amusement: "Do you mind if we call you Don to avoid confusion?" :hehe:
I'm probably not the person to ask, but I went with Hugh (over a decade ago, when he was still working for HPC Ltd) - most people over the last decade will have passed through John Lyon rather than Hugh or Don, so you might not get too much relevant experience. In theory HPC should be a 2.5 day course, so I doubt there'll be much difference in price between Cadence and Hairy Don (see it'll be easy to distinguish between the two of you 
).
As a RoADA Gold you should have most of the 'hygiene points' in place, so it may not take a lot of effort (mind you, Hugh is a hard taskmaster) to enter into the Club - it's just the higher awards after that (the club has it's own further awards beyond entry level).
As for the insurance scheme, it does cover unlimited track days, but it's not necessarily price competitive - it's based on a premium scheme from Allianz so won't compare with firms like Priviledge and the like for price (although it does depend on the make of car - my MX-5 isn't bad under the scheme).
). As a RoADA Gold you should have most of the 'hygiene points' in place, so it may not take a lot of effort (mind you, Hugh is a hard taskmaster) to enter into the Club - it's just the higher awards after that (the club has it's own further awards beyond entry level).
As for the insurance scheme, it does cover unlimited track days, but it's not necessarily price competitive - it's based on a premium scheme from Allianz so won't compare with firms like Priviledge and the like for price (although it does depend on the make of car - my MX-5 isn't bad under the scheme).
I'm part way through this process - StressedDave has given me a preliminary assessment* and I'm off to see Hugh for the two days in mid-November for the thorough going over.
Have gained an enormous amount through my days with both Hugh and Dave and would be happily to highly recommend them.
I don't know Don's work; I understood that he does more work on the car past the limit on control (ie skid work), although I will do some of this with Hugh. I am sure that they are both excellent -- but only one is married to the finest cook in the Vale of Belvoir. Lunch alone is worth the admission fee!
* and as far as I can tell has sworn blind on his reputation that I'll be fine and Hugh won't shout at me too much (hence confidently booking in for a mid-winter assessment). But I'm sure he'll be along presently to confirm.
Have gained an enormous amount through my days with both Hugh and Dave and would be happily to highly recommend them.
I don't know Don's work; I understood that he does more work on the car past the limit on control (ie skid work), although I will do some of this with Hugh. I am sure that they are both excellent -- but only one is married to the finest cook in the Vale of Belvoir. Lunch alone is worth the admission fee!
* and as far as I can tell has sworn blind on his reputation that I'll be fine and Hugh won't shout at me too much (hence confidently booking in for a mid-winter assessment). But I'm sure he'll be along presently to confirm.
Well I've done Stage I and II with John Lyon. Without going into the politics of it all John is no longer a gate keeper for the Club so I am in the same predicament!! What I will say about the course is that it is an excellent experience. Really does take your driving to the next level. Which ever you choose I'm sure that you'll enjoy it
7db said:
* and as far as I can tell has sworn blind on his reputation that I'll be fine and Hugh won't shout at me too much (hence confidently booking in for a mid-winter assessment). But I'm sure he'll be along presently to confirm.
What reputation...?
It's true that Don's field has in the past been more aligned towards limit handling, and it's what he enjoys doing most. But if the Club had any concerns over his ability to teach on the road, he wouldn't be a gatekeeper.
As somebody with no interest in either concern, I'd favour:
- Cadence for coaching and structured development of road driving skills
- Don for limit handling and playing around near to the limit of adhesion
On that basis, I'd go with Cadence for entry into HPC.
That's not to say that Don can't coach road driving, or Cadence limit handling - it's just my take on their relative strengths.
>> Edited by willibetz on Thursday 20th October 12:57
- Cadence for coaching and structured development of road driving skills
- Don for limit handling and playing around near to the limit of adhesion
On that basis, I'd go with Cadence for entry into HPC.
That's not to say that Don can't coach road driving, or Cadence limit handling - it's just my take on their relative strengths.
>> Edited by willibetz on Thursday 20th October 12:57
Like Will, I have no bias. I'd agree with him about probably picking Cadence.
However, the best thing to do is to phone both Cadence and Don for a chat. Then decide which suits you personally.
I did my HPC entry and Silver courses with John Lyon, but have driven with Hugh at Cadence and can highly recommend him.
When I did the entry course, it was primarily roadcraft, but did include a morning of limit handling. I suspect this is still the case, but StressedDave will know better then me.
Whichever trainer you pick, good luck and enjoy the course!
However, the best thing to do is to phone both Cadence and Don for a chat. Then decide which suits you personally.
I did my HPC entry and Silver courses with John Lyon, but have driven with Hugh at Cadence and can highly recommend him.
When I did the entry course, it was primarily roadcraft, but did include a morning of limit handling. I suspect this is still the case, but StressedDave will know better then me.
Whichever trainer you pick, good luck and enjoy the course!
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