Britain's Third Safest Driver ... do they mean me?
Discussion
Now, I’m not one to blow my own trumpet, but …
A year ago I spotted something on Autocar’s web site headed “Are you Britain’s safest driver?” Obviously not but I thought the online competition, sponsored jointly by Autocar, Road Angel and Peak Performance Driver Training could be amusing so had a go. Sometime later I got an e-mail to say I was through to the next round, which consisted of an on-line assessment of driving attitude and knowledge. This was quite fun but, having done it, it all went quiet so it came as a surprise to be told some months later that I was through to the next round, consisting of a group training session at a hotel, followed by a written test.
Again, all went quiet but then I heard that I was through to another stage, this time consisting of a half day on the road with a Peak Performance instructor who would assess by driving. That was fun and, naturally enough, very similar to an IAM assessment.
More months then passed before I heard I was through to the final five, with the winner to be decided through a series of driving “tests” at the MIRA proving ground.
Well, that happened today and hence I now know that I’m officially Britain’s 3rd safest driver. Yeah, right! More to the point, it was a real fun day spent on activities such as the skid pan, an autotest, emergency braking and avoidance manoeuvres, and driving a fork lift truck (well, why not!). Plus, we all came away with Road Angel SatNavs.
So, perseverance paid off in the end. Congratulations to those who came first and second (damn it!) and thanks to everyone for a great day.
A year ago I spotted something on Autocar’s web site headed “Are you Britain’s safest driver?” Obviously not but I thought the online competition, sponsored jointly by Autocar, Road Angel and Peak Performance Driver Training could be amusing so had a go. Sometime later I got an e-mail to say I was through to the next round, which consisted of an on-line assessment of driving attitude and knowledge. This was quite fun but, having done it, it all went quiet so it came as a surprise to be told some months later that I was through to the next round, consisting of a group training session at a hotel, followed by a written test.
Again, all went quiet but then I heard that I was through to another stage, this time consisting of a half day on the road with a Peak Performance instructor who would assess by driving. That was fun and, naturally enough, very similar to an IAM assessment.
More months then passed before I heard I was through to the final five, with the winner to be decided through a series of driving “tests” at the MIRA proving ground.
Well, that happened today and hence I now know that I’m officially Britain’s 3rd safest driver. Yeah, right! More to the point, it was a real fun day spent on activities such as the skid pan, an autotest, emergency braking and avoidance manoeuvres, and driving a fork lift truck (well, why not!). Plus, we all came away with Road Angel SatNavs.
So, perseverance paid off in the end. Congratulations to those who came first and second (damn it!) and thanks to everyone for a great day.
heebeegeetee said:
Well done. Are you going to be in the mag??
Well, Colin Goodwin and photographer were there on behalf of Autocar so I guess there'll be something in due course. Fame beckons!!!
Been a busy week. Just got back from the IAM track day at Bedford which was brilliant. Not only did we get demo laps in the Palmer Jaguar JP1s, we got to drive them too! And not just "careful now sir, stick to 3000 rpm" style either; these were proper timed laps with the instructor urging you to floor it and not to brake at the end of the main straight until the 75 metre board. Awesome experience with 0 - 100 in 6.6 secs, sequential gearbox and with brakes and cornering on slicks way outside my experience. Managed to spin it at something around 80 mph after taking too much kerb (apparently) and getting air under the car, which was interesting. Don't know what the instructors get paid, but they earn it! Still, I managed second fastest time for the day which left me feeling well chuffed. Add to that messing around in Caterhams and lots of one to one instruction in our own cars and it really was a briliant day out. Should the IAM repeat it (and I hope they will) I'd recommend it very highly.
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