Advanced driving courses, performance driving?
Discussion
Hi all, I've been thinking about taking a a few days with an instructor, on a track, but don't know really what or where to look for what I want.
I've got a TVR Griffith, and I'm getting used to it, but feel I'm not making the most of the car, in terms of feeling really confident with it.
I'm looking for some sort of performance/assessment course, I am interested in maybe taking part in a few track days too, but would like to feel a bit more confident before I do that.
I'm like a lot of people, the Griff is used for club meets, and the occasional outing, but I'd like to take it a bit further sometimes.
Any reccomendations regarding courses or anything else would be welcome, I'm based in East Kent.
I've got a TVR Griffith, and I'm getting used to it, but feel I'm not making the most of the car, in terms of feeling really confident with it.
I'm looking for some sort of performance/assessment course, I am interested in maybe taking part in a few track days too, but would like to feel a bit more confident before I do that.
I'm like a lot of people, the Griff is used for club meets, and the occasional outing, but I'd like to take it a bit further sometimes.
Any reccomendations regarding courses or anything else would be welcome, I'm based in East Kent.
On-road and track skills have some overlap, but aren't really the same thing.
On-road training should develop observation, planning and smoothness, all of which can be useful on track.
Off-road training is good for handling and learning where the limit is, which you'd generally hope not to need on-road.
IAM / RoPSA, Reg Local, The High Performance Course, Car Limits, Mike Cooper - all could help you work out what you need.
On-road training should develop observation, planning and smoothness, all of which can be useful on track.
Off-road training is good for handling and learning where the limit is, which you'd generally hope not to need on-road.
IAM / RoPSA, Reg Local, The High Performance Course, Car Limits, Mike Cooper - all could help you work out what you need.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
On-road and track skills have some overlap, but aren't really the same thing.
On-road training should develop observation, planning and smoothness, all of which can be useful on track.
Off-road training is good for handling and learning where the limit is, which you'd generally hope not to need on-road.
IAM / RoPSA, Reg Local, The High Performance Course, Car Limits, Mike Cooper - all could help you work out what you need.
If you can drive to the IAM standards then you will be ok. Unless it has changed since I instructed then it is based on being the best you can be on the road. Couple your awareness with the simple approach of only putting your foot down with a straight steering wheel then that is a good place to start. Once you have mastered this then you maybe into powering out of the apex though get the confidence first. On-road training should develop observation, planning and smoothness, all of which can be useful on track.
Off-road training is good for handling and learning where the limit is, which you'd generally hope not to need on-road.
IAM / RoPSA, Reg Local, The High Performance Course, Car Limits, Mike Cooper - all could help you work out what you need.
softtop said:
If you can drive to the IAM standards then you will be ok. Unless it has changed since I instructed then it is based on being the best you can be on the road. Couple your awareness with the simple approach of only putting your foot down with a straight steering wheel then that is a good place to start. Once you have mastered this then you maybe into powering out of the apex though get the confidence first.
Thanks, I'm in my mid 60's, my confidence isn't what it used to be, but you could have called it "recklessness" I'd say I hold back and I'm over cautious these days, I do only put my foot down with a straight steering wheel, and a clear road, I like the challenge of lots of bends, but I'm definitely not confident enough to push the car to anywhere near its limits. I'm driving a TVR Griffith, an old school car, and I'm even more aware of the potential issues with it when cornering and accelerating. That's where I need some training I think, for safety, and confidence if I decide to go on the occasional track day.
Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 11:27
griff59 said:
I'm driving a TVR Griffith, an old school car, and I'm even more aware of the potential issues with it when cornering and accelerating.
Biggest issue with the Rover V8 eninged TVRs is people not being fully aware of quite how much engine braking there is; have a bit of a 'panic lift' mid corner and you might as well pull the handbrake on too. That's where, IMHO, a significant danger lies.These are can be made to handle pretty well. Driver training is definiely a good thing, but chassis set-up and geometry is also key. When I had my Griff 500, I took to to (TVR Tuscan Challenge winner) Steve Guglielmi, in Daventry, and he did a superb job with it.
Digga said:
iggest issue with the Rover V8 eninged TVRs is people not being fully aware of quite how much engine braking there is; have a bit of a 'panic lift' mid corner and you might as well pull the handbrake on too. That's where, IMHO, a significant danger lies.
These are can be made to handle pretty well. Driver training is definiely a good thing, but chassis set-up and geometry is also key. When I had my Griff 500, I took to to (TVR Tuscan Challenge winner) Steve Guglielmi, in Daventry, and he did a superb job with it.
Yes I got majorly caught out with this engine braking on a recent run, it was quite scary, I thought the brakes had seized! Managed to recover though, just about! These are can be made to handle pretty well. Driver training is definiely a good thing, but chassis set-up and geometry is also key. When I had my Griff 500, I took to to (TVR Tuscan Challenge winner) Steve Guglielmi, in Daventry, and he did a superb job with it.
On this side of the pond there are a number of great schools. There are also many brand car clubs like Porsche that have excellent driver training.
I did a Bob Bondurant school and it was probably the best money I spent. The course started with street cars and advanced to single seaters. The skills I learned in that course helped me get an IMSA license and prep me for racing, but it also helped give me invaluable skills on the road.
If you have the time and the money, you will be amazed at what you have been missing. You will be safer and faster on the road.
I did a Bob Bondurant school and it was probably the best money I spent. The course started with street cars and advanced to single seaters. The skills I learned in that course helped me get an IMSA license and prep me for racing, but it also helped give me invaluable skills on the road.
If you have the time and the money, you will be amazed at what you have been missing. You will be safer and faster on the road.
Driver training has already been covered above, except to mention that instructors are available at every track day, usually around £20 for 20 minutes, and that is £20/40/60 well spent.
If you have some feelings of non-confidence in the car, then I suggest you get it set up properly.
First thing is a full four wheel alignment, done by someone who understands the cars.
Given your location you probably already take the car to Dan Taylor for servicing - he should be well able to set the car up for you.
About one degree of negative front camber, as part of the set up, will also help whilst retaining decent road manners, but he will know that.
Next things are brakes and tyres.
Standard brakes and pads will not give you enough stopping power, so talk to Dan about an upgrade.
You can do a lot by simply improving the pads, but i won't start a long discussion running by going into details them here.
10 year old Toyo R1Rs are suitable only for the bin. Whatever tyre dealers say on their adverts.
You can either get a second set of wheels and tyres for the track, or improve your road rubber for track and road use.
If it is the occasional track day you fancy, then the latter, but if the bug bites then you will want a second set.
A few of us TVR owners do track days regularly, and most of the gang live down your way - I am the exception, living further north, but then most of the tracks are nearer to me than to you. You will be most welcome to join us, and also to pick our brains before your first track day. Do message me via my profile if you fancy a chat about anything and everything.
If you have some feelings of non-confidence in the car, then I suggest you get it set up properly.
First thing is a full four wheel alignment, done by someone who understands the cars.
Given your location you probably already take the car to Dan Taylor for servicing - he should be well able to set the car up for you.
About one degree of negative front camber, as part of the set up, will also help whilst retaining decent road manners, but he will know that.
Next things are brakes and tyres.
Standard brakes and pads will not give you enough stopping power, so talk to Dan about an upgrade.
You can do a lot by simply improving the pads, but i won't start a long discussion running by going into details them here.
10 year old Toyo R1Rs are suitable only for the bin. Whatever tyre dealers say on their adverts.
You can either get a second set of wheels and tyres for the track, or improve your road rubber for track and road use.
If it is the occasional track day you fancy, then the latter, but if the bug bites then you will want a second set.
A few of us TVR owners do track days regularly, and most of the gang live down your way - I am the exception, living further north, but then most of the tracks are nearer to me than to you. You will be most welcome to join us, and also to pick our brains before your first track day. Do message me via my profile if you fancy a chat about anything and everything.
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