Morbid? ...perhaps
Discussion
Massive power wrapped in GRP + no driver aids... this we all know, but are us TVR drivers more in the habit of killing ourselves than normal?
I guess statistics do not exist but what impression do y'all have?
My purpose in asking is practical as I want to improve my chances of survival!!!
Party Pooper
>>> Edited by cajun on Thursday 18th April 09:45
I guess statistics do not exist but what impression do y'all have?
My purpose in asking is practical as I want to improve my chances of survival!!!
Party Pooper
>>> Edited by cajun on Thursday 18th April 09:45
The more you learn and improve your driving skills the better chance you have of surviving irrespective of what the car is.
TVRs are incredibly strong and many have survived where in a tin box they wouldn't but I would not rely on that.
TVRs have a very high (one insurance guy said the highest) single vehicle accident rate so I'm afraid it is all down to us drivers. TVR ownership is a priviledge not a right and every owner should be encouraged (forced even) to learn how to drive these cars correctly and safely.
Steve
ww.tvrbooks.co.uk
TVRs are incredibly strong and many have survived where in a tin box they wouldn't but I would not rely on that.
TVRs have a very high (one insurance guy said the highest) single vehicle accident rate so I'm afraid it is all down to us drivers. TVR ownership is a priviledge not a right and every owner should be encouraged (forced even) to learn how to drive these cars correctly and safely.
Steve
ww.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
The more you learn and improve your driving skills the better chance you have of surviving irrespective of what the car is.
TVRs are incredibly strong and many have survived where in a tin box they wouldn't but I would not rely on that.
TVRs have a very high (one insurance guy said the highest) single vehicle accident rate so I'm afraid it is all down to us drivers. TVR ownership is a priviledge not a right and every owner should be encouraged (forced even) to learn how to drive these cars correctly and safely.
Steve
ww.tvrbooks.co.uk
I totally agree!
quote:
Massive power wrapped in GRP + no driver aids... this we all know, but are us TVR drivers more in the habit of killing themselves than normal?
I guess statistics do not exist but what impression do y'all have?
My purpose in asking is practical as I want to improve my chances of survival!!!
Party Pooper
Cajun - it's all down to how YOU drive, not how WE drive. If you overcook it then you MIGHT kill yourself. If you're worried I suggest you go on a few training courses which teach you to handle powerful RWD cars. I don't know what you've driven before, but there is nothing wrong with TVR brakes or handling - it's just that they've got rude amounts of power and that can easily overrule anything else in the wrong hands.
Of course you could be the safest driver in the world and end up being killed by some other nutter coming around a blind bend on the wrong side of the road ... It's all a game of chance I'm afraid, but you can increase your odds.
Trefor/.
quote:
TVRs have a very high (one insurance guy said the highest) single vehicle accident rate so I'm afraid it is all down to us drivers
This doesn't really surprise me at all, the large no. of people who are jumping from their FWD GTI or whatever into a RWD brute force machine is quite disconcerting.. And as the prices drop more are doing it....
Then they overtake in the wet and just meet a hedge that was coming the other way.. As you stated, it is the drivers not the cars.
All down to individual driver skill really. Prior experience of RWD powerful cars does help mind, especially in the wet.
So far (apart from the odd lapse, thanks ya bastard GTO), I'm pleased with myself at pootling round everwhere, burbling away well under crazy speeds – age does have a bearing I think. If I was 15 years younger ... I may well be not here – some of my driving in my early 20s left a lot to be desired. If I'm behind a few numpties, years ago I would have been past them ... no moistake ... whatever. Nowadays, it doesn't matter so much ... if at all. IMO.
>> Edited by MikeyT on Thursday 18th April 09:53
So far (apart from the odd lapse, thanks ya bastard GTO), I'm pleased with myself at pootling round everwhere, burbling away well under crazy speeds – age does have a bearing I think. If I was 15 years younger ... I may well be not here – some of my driving in my early 20s left a lot to be desired. If I'm behind a few numpties, years ago I would have been past them ... no moistake ... whatever. Nowadays, it doesn't matter so much ... if at all. IMO.
>> Edited by MikeyT on Thursday 18th April 09:53
RWD course sounds like a good idea. I bin in a 328 for the last two years which is a performance car, but this is a whole nother thing.
I trust that courses or track days would educate me about progressive breaking away but I'd still like to ask: How predictible is this kind of thing? I assume that if you are putting too much power down in a straight line or a slight bend you cannot end up on the other side of the road...
This is downright scary. My driving style is cautious with regard to stopping distances and general road sense combined with being addicted to adrenalin thrills when I consider it's 'safe'. I think I will get some instruction.
I trust that courses or track days would educate me about progressive breaking away but I'd still like to ask: How predictible is this kind of thing? I assume that if you are putting too much power down in a straight line or a slight bend you cannot end up on the other side of the road...
quote:
TVRs have a very high (one insurance guy said the highest) single vehicle accident rate so I'm afraid it is all down to us drivers. TVR ownership is a priviledge not a right and every owner should be encouraged (forced even) to learn how to drive these cars correctly and safely.
This is downright scary. My driving style is cautious with regard to stopping distances and general road sense combined with being addicted to adrenalin thrills when I consider it's 'safe'. I think I will get some instruction.
quote:
How predictible is this kind of thing? I assume that if you are putting too much power down in a straight line or a slight bend you cannot end up on the other side of the road...
Oh yes you can and that is the main cause of many accidents. It can happen so quickly and fast that you don't even realise it and you just hope that there is no one in the other lane! Is it the car's fault? No, driver error caused by too much power for the conditions. Back wheels loose grip, try and overtake the front and the car is revolving faster than a 78 record on double play! Add a wet or greasy road and the threshold is even lower and everything has to be done on tippytoes so to speak.
The breakway is usually progressive but only if you are aware of it and in most cases people are not and you get the "car suddenly broke away" excuse.
Driving TVR is all about being smooth, keeping the car balanced and constantly adjusting the driver inputs in response to what the car is doing. This means learning new techniques such as heel and toe, not engine braking (so many people do it and it is absolutely guarenteed to cause an accident at some point - gears are for accelerating, brakes are for stopping) and so on.
Pete Humphries and myself are working on a set of articles for the TVRCC Sprint magazine covering handling. LAst month had the first instalment on over and understeer and how to get over them.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
Pete Humphries and myself are working on a set of articles for the TVRCC Sprint magazine covering handling. LAst month had the first instalment on over and understeer and how to get over them.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
And what a good article it was.
quote:
TVRs are incredibly strong and many have survived where in a tin box they wouldn't but I would not rely on that.
When my baby was in a Webbs a while back, Jason was showing me a Griffith that had extensive front and rear damage, apparantly bounced of the armco a few times. The driver (thankfully) got out and walked away with minor bruising.
I think thats testament to their strength. I guess also, that you are 'wedged' in quite tight and thus stand less chance of being bounced around the cockpit
Steve
Driving TVR is all about being smooth, keeping the car balanced and constantly adjusting the driver inputs in response to what the car is doing. This means learning new techniques such as heel and toe, not engine braking (so many people do it and it is absolutely guarenteed to cause an accident at some point - gears are for accelerating, brakes are for stopping) and so on.
I have heard of heeling and toeing and even had a very cautious go. I totally didnt get it, and it felt really uncomfortable. Can anyone give any pointers (4L chim)
cheers
Jake
quote:
All down to individual driver skill really. Prior experience of RWD powerful cars does help mind, especially in the wet.
Agree, anybody who's drove a RWD car in the wet and finds that the backend desides to have a bit of a spasm, learns to have a little respect, and nurse that right pedal
Regards
Darren
quote:
Does anyone run a course specifically for TVRs ?
Hi Corin,
Ride Drive Ltd do an excellent course aimed specifically at TVR driving. I took advantage of the session run from Bridport(which is also the nearest one for you I think).
An eight hour session covers something like forty discipines which really hone up on the driving skills.
The whole thing was totally enjoyable and I view it as a lifesaver for drivers of cars with the power of the TVR's.
I intend to do an annual refresher simply to keep my skills uptodate.
goto www.ridedrive.co.uk
most of the specialist tvr insurance companies are only insuring drivers with at least 1 years TVR experience
I suppose they think if you survive the first year then youre a good risk!
Goes to show we TVR drivers are not to be trusted until we have some hours under our belts!
Do every thing you can to survive and learn. Track days- with instruction, skid pan days (your local police will usually organise a night for your regional club) and take note of article s in Sprint such a sthe last one on handling!
Stay safe out there. Weve just had a TUSCAN split in half! OUCH. I hope the passenger makes a recovery?
I suppose they think if you survive the first year then youre a good risk!
Goes to show we TVR drivers are not to be trusted until we have some hours under our belts!
Do every thing you can to survive and learn. Track days- with instruction, skid pan days (your local police will usually organise a night for your regional club) and take note of article s in Sprint such a sthe last one on handling!
Stay safe out there. Weve just had a TUSCAN split in half! OUCH. I hope the passenger makes a recovery?
quote:
I have heard of heeling and toeing and even had a very cautious go. I totally didnt get it, and it felt really uncomfortable. Can anyone give any pointers (4L chim)
I couldn't get it either until I saw it called "ball & side" or something like that...anyway:
Use the ball of your foot to depress the brake pedal, then when you want to blip the throttle you pivot your foot in a sideways rolling motion so the side of it pushes down the throttle. Your foot remains vertical all the time.
HTH
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Thursday 18th April 23:26
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