HELP: How to Learn to be a Better Driver
Discussion
Hi all,
I am looking for advice on how to improve my driving skills, with a focus on track-driving and am hoping you can help.
In short, I'm very much an average driver with no on-track experience other than a rallying weekend (which was awesome and a learning experience) and a few 'supercar' track days (which were enjoyable but didn't teach me anything), all done years ago. I do own a reasonably fast car (911 Turbo) but am likely typical in that the car is better than I am and I'd like to be able to better exploit its capabilities. I'm also intending to upgrade next year and/or buy a dedicated track car and would like to build some skills before then.
Whilst I do want to (in parallel) improve my public road driving via tuition and maybe something like the IAM Advanced Driver qualification, in this instance I'm looking for some kind of instructor-led course to help me learn to drive properly on the track.
I imagine I need a mix of theory and practical experience and would initially want to learn with the provider's vehicle(s) before starting to build 'bring your own car' experience (for which I might buy something more appropriate for track - such as a Caterham or Lotus - than my 4WD 911 Turbo or SQ5!). I'm particularly keen on good one-to-one tuition and acknowledge that will come at a price.
I am aware that drifting around corners Top Gear-style is not the way to a fast lap but it does look like a lot of fun and something that included a bit of that sort of thing on top of the more serious 'proper track driving' stuff would be great.
Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received!
I am looking for advice on how to improve my driving skills, with a focus on track-driving and am hoping you can help.
In short, I'm very much an average driver with no on-track experience other than a rallying weekend (which was awesome and a learning experience) and a few 'supercar' track days (which were enjoyable but didn't teach me anything), all done years ago. I do own a reasonably fast car (911 Turbo) but am likely typical in that the car is better than I am and I'd like to be able to better exploit its capabilities. I'm also intending to upgrade next year and/or buy a dedicated track car and would like to build some skills before then.
Whilst I do want to (in parallel) improve my public road driving via tuition and maybe something like the IAM Advanced Driver qualification, in this instance I'm looking for some kind of instructor-led course to help me learn to drive properly on the track.
I imagine I need a mix of theory and practical experience and would initially want to learn with the provider's vehicle(s) before starting to build 'bring your own car' experience (for which I might buy something more appropriate for track - such as a Caterham or Lotus - than my 4WD 911 Turbo or SQ5!). I'm particularly keen on good one-to-one tuition and acknowledge that will come at a price.
I am aware that drifting around corners Top Gear-style is not the way to a fast lap but it does look like a lot of fun and something that included a bit of that sort of thing on top of the more serious 'proper track driving' stuff would be great.
Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received!
If you're renting a car + trackday + instructor you'd better count on four figures sums per day.
Personally I'd be inclined to buy a car sooner rather than later so you can save some dosh on hiring and start learning in the car you intend to use.
If you wanted to hire a Caterham to try out first then BookATrack are the main players in that game.
Personally I'd be inclined to buy a car sooner rather than later so you can save some dosh on hiring and start learning in the car you intend to use.
If you wanted to hire a Caterham to try out first then BookATrack are the main players in that game.
roadsweeper said:
Hi all,
I am looking for advice on how to improve my driving skills, with a focus on track-driving and am hoping you can help.
In short, I'm very much an average driver with no on-track experience other than a rallying weekend (which was awesome and a learning experience) and a few 'supercar' track days (which were enjoyable but didn't teach me anything), all done years ago. I do own a reasonably fast car (911 Turbo) but am likely typical in that the car is better than I am and I'd like to be able to better exploit its capabilities. I'm also intending to upgrade next year and/or buy a dedicated track car and would like to build some skills before then.
Whilst I do want to (in parallel) improve my public road driving via tuition and maybe something like the IAM Advanced Driver qualification, in this instance I'm looking for some kind of instructor-led course to help me learn to drive properly on the track.
I imagine I need a mix of theory and practical experience and would initially want to learn with the provider's vehicle(s) before starting to build 'bring your own car' experience (for which I might buy something more appropriate for track - such as a Caterham or Lotus - than my 4WD 911 Turbo or SQ5!). I'm particularly keen on good one-to-one tuition and acknowledge that will come at a price.
I am aware that drifting around corners Top Gear-style is not the way to a fast lap but it does look like a lot of fun and something that included a bit of that sort of thing on top of the more serious 'proper track driving' stuff would be great.
Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received!
Firstly are you a member of the PCGB? If so, have you considered attending one of their track days? They have two remaining dates this year, Castle Combe on the 19th October, and 15th November at Oulton Park. I am looking for advice on how to improve my driving skills, with a focus on track-driving and am hoping you can help.
In short, I'm very much an average driver with no on-track experience other than a rallying weekend (which was awesome and a learning experience) and a few 'supercar' track days (which were enjoyable but didn't teach me anything), all done years ago. I do own a reasonably fast car (911 Turbo) but am likely typical in that the car is better than I am and I'd like to be able to better exploit its capabilities. I'm also intending to upgrade next year and/or buy a dedicated track car and would like to build some skills before then.
Whilst I do want to (in parallel) improve my public road driving via tuition and maybe something like the IAM Advanced Driver qualification, in this instance I'm looking for some kind of instructor-led course to help me learn to drive properly on the track.
I imagine I need a mix of theory and practical experience and would initially want to learn with the provider's vehicle(s) before starting to build 'bring your own car' experience (for which I might buy something more appropriate for track - such as a Caterham or Lotus - than my 4WD 911 Turbo or SQ5!). I'm particularly keen on good one-to-one tuition and acknowledge that will come at a price.
I am aware that drifting around corners Top Gear-style is not the way to a fast lap but it does look like a lot of fun and something that included a bit of that sort of thing on top of the more serious 'proper track driving' stuff would be great.
Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received!
I instruct for the Porsche Club, and it is ideal for someone like yourself to take your car, have one or two sessions of instruction, and be on a track with like minded people! There are no egos to be afraid of, everyone wanting to enjoy their (expensive in many cases) pride and joy, without being put under pressure by "Hot hatch drivers with attitude". Steve Kevlin who runs the days, is quite strict on who does what, and the majority of Porsche owner/drivers have a thoroughly enjoyable day!
Regarding looking at taking part in an IAM course, I would advise you on certain things that would be a conflict of techniques, and not conducive with driving a performance car in a fast and safe manner.
If you require any further information, feel free to message me, and I'll give you my number, and I will give you more comprehensive advice relative to what you are looking for. HTH
Mark Hales is an excellent instructor and I believe he still does sessions in a Mk4 MX5 - whatever you might think you don't need more power than that to learn in, even if you're very experienced.
http://www.markhales.com/coaching.html
I have no commercial relationship with him and have used several road and track coaches in the past but from my experience so far and what you are asking for I'd recommend him.
http://www.markhales.com/coaching.html
I have no commercial relationship with him and have used several road and track coaches in the past but from my experience so far and what you are asking for I'd recommend him.
Hi there,
Can`t add much to all that's been said, except, Get A Caterham! I`m a novice trackie, like you, and had 2 days hiring with Bookatrack, and a week later ,I`d put down deposit on a 2012 ex Academy car (Caterham 1.6 ford sigma engine).I have instruction on most of my trackdays.Really worth it.
There are plenty of very fast Caterhams out there, but in my experience ,I`m learning more in this, than a more powerful one that could scare you and your wallet s
tless when you get it wrong.!
Enjoy your chat with Danny Winstanley, and his dad.!
Can`t add much to all that's been said, except, Get A Caterham! I`m a novice trackie, like you, and had 2 days hiring with Bookatrack, and a week later ,I`d put down deposit on a 2012 ex Academy car (Caterham 1.6 ford sigma engine).I have instruction on most of my trackdays.Really worth it.
There are plenty of very fast Caterhams out there, but in my experience ,I`m learning more in this, than a more powerful one that could scare you and your wallet s
tless when you get it wrong.!Enjoy your chat with Danny Winstanley, and his dad.!
If you’re thinking about buying a caterham for track days and want to become a better driver I really don’t think there is anything better than signing up for the Caterham Academy. You will meet a great bunch of guys in the same position as yourself. You’ll end up having top tuition with guys like Ben Clucas and probably sharing the cost between 2 or 3 of you. You WILL learn a huge amount in the 1st year.
I used Gary Marsh it was £400 per person for a day at abingdon. in you own car
http://www.aneed4speed.co.uk/gary/gary.html
phone him to talk about what you want, I am still benefitting from what I learnt that day which was a couple of years ago now
http://www.aneed4speed.co.uk/gary/gary.html
phone him to talk about what you want, I am still benefitting from what I learnt that day which was a couple of years ago now
binnerboy said:
I used Gary Marsh it was £400 per person for a day at abingdon. in you own car
http://www.aneed4speed.co.uk/gary/gary.html
phone him to talk about what you want, I am still benefitting from what I learnt that day which was a couple of years ago now
I'd second the recommendation for Gary, I've been doing trackdays for Years and Years and he still taught me a lothttp://www.aneed4speed.co.uk/gary/gary.html
phone him to talk about what you want, I am still benefitting from what I learnt that day which was a couple of years ago now
Flibble said:
I have good results from CAT driver training - they do small group and 1 to 1 training down at Millbrook. Nothing much to hit as it's a closed proving ground. Not mega pricey, but costs more if you don't bring your own car obviously.
+ 1 for CAT.Done a few courses with Colin. He is an excellent instructor and explains everything very clearly.
I did a track day recently where John Norrington was teaching, looks like he's £275 a day:
http://safelyfast.co.uk
http://safelyfast.co.uk
The best thing to do would be to jump in and start. I wouldn't track your 911 though, initially.
I would start with something like a 172/182 Clio. Cheap to buy and cheap to run.
Other than buying the car, I would do the brakes (braided lines, new discs and decent pads all round), strip the back out, and then get on track.
Semi slick tyres hide a multitude of sins on track. If you can become fast with budgets/road tyres then you'll be significantly quicker when you get sticky rubber.
I would also look at getting tuition on the days too. You'll learn more in a single session with help than a whole day without. If you're new to it, I know some track day organisers to beginner days which may be of use.
I would start with something like a 172/182 Clio. Cheap to buy and cheap to run.
Other than buying the car, I would do the brakes (braided lines, new discs and decent pads all round), strip the back out, and then get on track.
Semi slick tyres hide a multitude of sins on track. If you can become fast with budgets/road tyres then you'll be significantly quicker when you get sticky rubber.
I would also look at getting tuition on the days too. You'll learn more in a single session with help than a whole day without. If you're new to it, I know some track day organisers to beginner days which may be of use.
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