IAM in a TVR

[smithsi]

Is it possible to do an IAM test/training in a TVR Cerbera.

Clutch is fairly heavy, performance is far in excess of UK speed limits (so I hear).

What cars do people pass there test in, is a TVR just too much overkill?

I have acquired an amazing car, and am mindful that I want to enjoy the car, without endangering the public or my passengers and I.

PS I have already done a Ride Drive course, which I found very informative.

[cooky]

How long have you had the Cerb?

[smithsi]

2-3 weeks. I'm still finding the limits of the car

[cooky]

Just take it easy for a while, get to kwow the car and get it on a track, you will learn more there than anything the IAM can tell you. Treat the car with the utmost respect as it WILL try to kill you at the most unexpected of moments. Forget trying anything in the wet and never think you have mastered the car for at least the first 12 months.
Many Cerb moments happen at low speed and you are just a passenger, learn how it breaks away and when to put in the power first...it will still try and have your pants down whenever it can.
You have a very powerful and lighweight machine now...it took me a good 12 months to realy master the Cerb and remember the best advice you can get is from another Cerb owner past or present as we've all been there. Find a mate with similar and hoon together, stay behind and don't get too confident too quickly, this is great fun and you will learn lots quickly.
FFS don't just go for the IAM and think you'll be ok, it's all very good but nothing can possibly prepare you for Cerb ownership very very few AM's have even sat in a cerb let alone driven one...I hadn't, only practice and just 'dooing it'
Get along to your nearest TVRCC or PH meet and mix with others whom may go for a group track session or handling course.
Enjoy and most of all take care.

[Kinky]

Someone here did theirs in a Westfield. Can't recall who

K

[smithsi]

cooky said:

Just take it easy for a while, get to kwow the car and get it on a track, you will learn more there than anything the IAM can tell you. Treat the car with the utmost respect as it WILL try to kill you at the most unexpected of moments. Forget trying anything in the wet and never think you have mastered the car for at least the first 12 months.
Many Cerb moments happen at low speed and you are just a passenger, learn how it breaks away and when to put in the power first...it will still try and have your pants down whenever it can.
You have a very powerful and lighweight machine now...it took me a good 12 months to realy master the Cerb and remember the best advice you can get is from another Cerb owner past or present as we've all been there. Find a mate with similar and hoon together, stay behind and don't get too confident too quickly, this is great fun and you will learn lots quickly.
FFS don't just go for the IAM and think you'll be ok, it's all very good but nothing can possibly prepare you for Cerb ownership very very few AM's have even sat in a cerb let alone driven one...I hadn't, only practice and just 'dooing it'
Get along to your nearest TVRCC or PH meet and mix with others whom may go for a group track session or handling course.
Enjoy and most of all take care.

Thanks for the advice, I fully understand the points about the Cerbera. I'm very concious of the power and unpredictability of the car and by no means do I see IAM/Ride Drive as a panacea.

I'm trying to be as sensible as possible whilst enjoying the car, applying power smoothly etc

What I do not have a handle on is when it is going to step out of line, may well do another airfield half day with ride drive so that I can find the limit in a controlled environment.

At the same time I was thinking that the IAM training would reinforce - perhaps I'm jumping the gun and should just drive the car, but I want to be as safe as possible in light of how 'special' Cerbs really are.

Edited by smithsi on Thursday 19th October 04:49

[Don]

You most certainly can do your IAM test in your Cerbera. You'll enjoy doing it more - it will be an excuse to go out in it. I can also guarantee you will Observers falling over themselves in an attempt to get to help you with your training!

I did my first test in my Porsche - whilst not a Cerbera in terms of performance its certainly "special" enough to get attention - and that was absolutely fine. Did my ROSPA test in it too - no problems.

Haven't yet done a "test" in our Chimaera - but I have given demo drives in it and used it on "IAM business" successfully...

[Don]

smithsi said:

At the same time I was thinking that the IAM training would reinforce - perhaps I'm jumping the gun and should just drive the car, but I want to be as safe as possible in light of how 'special' Cerbs really are.

IAM training is always a good idea. However - it will not be about finding the limits of your car. You will require an airfield for that. It will, however, contain general principles of car handling, how to set the car up for corners, and manouevres and how to keep the car stable through them. This may be too basic for you - or it may be just what you need.

There are many further levels of training, knowledge and ability beyond passing the IAM test - its just a good start.

If you go find your local Group ask if they have someone who is also a performance car enthusiast who could help you. Many Groups do - and these people are often more "technical" about driving than the others - I guess you'd appreciate that.

I can also recommend the HPC (High Performance Club) but that will cost you money. The IAM will cost about £90 for a year's membership and all the training and help your local Group can provide. (All done by volunteers which is why its cheap.)

Remember the IAM is a road safety charity and it doesn't just help enthusiasts with their new toy - it also helps youngsters (we wish many more of them) and widows who are having to drive themselves for the first time in forty years (that can be utterly heartbreaking).

But all the same - I recommend it to you. Join up and Enjoy...

[wadgebeast]

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

You may choose to sit it in a more relaxing car where you might make less mistakes, but there'd certainly be some advantages to getting feedback on how to drive a low (can't be seen easily) and high power car.

[martine]

wadgebeast said:

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

and it must have seat belts and headrests (many older cars don't).

Martin - Bristol,UK

[TripleS]

martine said:

wadgebeast said:

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

and it must have seat belts and headrests (many older cars don't).

Martin - Bristol,UK

Is that an IAM ruling, even if a car is of an age whereby such features are not a legal requirment?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Don]

TripleS said:

martine said:

wadgebeast said:

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

and it must have seat belts and headrests (many older cars don't).

Martin - Bristol,UK

Is that an IAM ruling, even if a car is of an age whereby such features are not a legal requirment?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Apparently the examiner can refuse to do the test in a vehicle not equipped with such things.

Unless you want to try and do your test in a classic Bentley it shouldn't be a problem, however.

[TripleS]

Don said:

TripleS said:

martine said:

wadgebeast said:

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

and it must have seat belts and headrests (many older cars don't).

Martin - Bristol,UK

Is that an IAM ruling, even if a car is of an age whereby such features are not a legal requirment?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Apparently the examiner can refuse to do the test in a vehicle not equipped with such things.

Unless you want to try and do your test in a classic Bentley it shouldn't be a problem, however.

Thanks Don, but a classic Bentley would be outside the scope of a poor OAP.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Nismo'D]

Actually, if you want to learn about the performance handling of your car away from the road then I would suggest Cat Driver Training. 10 350Z owners did a days training at Millbrook last weekend and it was brilliant, well worth the money and time. Certainly opened my eyes as to what the car was capable of.

[A - W]

smithsi said:

What cars do people pass there test in, is a TVR just too much overkill?

It might wake your observer up though to practice in. ;-)

[tvrgit]

As Don says, the IAM or RoSPA will teach you how to drive your car safely and smoothly(not necessarily slowly) on the public road, if that's what you want. You do however have to make sure that you get an observer who knows about RWD cars of similar capability. Normally, THEY will make sure that they get YOU. Ridedrive etc teach much the same principles, for the public road.

If you want to learn more about using the car at its limits, then the public road aspect isn't so important - you need some of the track-based courses.

It depends on your priority.

[7db]

martine said:

wadgebeast said:

You can do it in any car you like, as long as it's roadworthy.

and it must have seat belts and headrests (many older cars don't).

Martin - Bristol,UK

Are harnesses ok, Martin?

[Parrot of Doom]

I did my IAM training in my Chimaera. No problems, and the instructors tended to 'let me loose'

[Mustang Baz]

Did my first IAM observer drive in the Tuscan this morning (S London group - v friendly) and no problems at all - so I would say go for it and your approach strikes me as well-thought through for a new Tiv owner. Having done a Ride Drive course, you will already be more advanced than many, have an awareness of the Roadcraft system which the IAM promote and have had a former/current police advanced driver in the car with you which is generally where the examiners are sourced from so I am reliably informed.

Driving the TVR may arguably gave the observer more comfort as the majority of TVR owners tend to be people who care about their car, getting the max from it and doing so with minimum fuss.

[gridgway]

where is your IAM group Baz?
Graham