learning how to drive

[persuaders]

OK a crap question and difficult to convey but it strikes me that i need to learn how to drive my c4s. I like any other idiot can drive fast in a straight line and think im a reasonable driver in a 'normal car' ...i dont think these are 'normal' .

Im hesitant to be thinking about track days but i guess some kind of days 'exploitation' training would be useful. I want to know whats safe and have some idea of where the limits are without going for the brakes on corners. Also how to make seamless gear changes would be a bonus. Although im sure it will all come in time -
-any tips 911 boys and girls?

[Baby Blue]

Speak to Bernard Aubrey 01483 773 939 or 07768 391 552

one of the most experienced Porsche trainers around .............road craft + chobham MOD private track or whatever u want .....when too busy hgets Dickie Attwood to help !

Dont be put off looks like some kinda mad scientist ...........

One of the wisest old boys u ll ever meet ..................

[Flat6time]

Get yourself booked in at Porsche Experience Centre. They will tailor a course to you, and it is well worth the time.

http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/

I learned all about adjusting the cornering line with throttle, which I was never aware of before, and it has tightened up my road driving, and geven me an excellent insight into what happens beyond the fringes of grip.

Oh an if you are really lucky you will get Richard Atwood to coach you.

[hendy]

what about an airfield day? I did one a few years back in my C4S with Car limits:

http://www.carlimits.com/

It was a great day, in safe conditions, nothing to hit and learned a lot about car control.

[melv]

Baby Blue said:

Speak to Bernard Aubrey 01483 773 939 or 07768 391 552

one of the most experienced Porsche trainers around .............road craft + chobham MOD private track or whatever u want .....when too busy he gets Dickie Attwood to help !

Dont be put off looks like some kinda mad scientist ...........

One of the wisest old boys u ll ever meet ..................

+1 (morning old boy!)

And Andy Walsh's Car Limits

Edited by melv on Monday 26th September 16:50

[EJ911]

persuaders said:

OK a crap question and difficult to convey but it strikes me that i need to learn how to drive my c4s. I like any other idiot can drive fast in a straight line and think im a reasonable driver in a 'normal car' ...i dont think these are 'normal' .

Im hesitant to be thinking about track days but i guess some kind of days 'exploitation' training would be useful. I want to know whats safe and have some idea of where the limits are without going for the brakes on corners. Also how to make seamless gear changes would be a bonus. Although im sure it will all come in time -
-any tips 911 boys and girls?

Not a crap question this is exactly what I was thinking of doing, mine's only a c2 but I would love to know how to drive it better, I feel quite apprehensive throwing it into corners quickly and would like learn its and more importantly my limitations for me this is a significant step up from my last car and although I am getting use to driving it I feel I have a lot to learn. I shall look into some of the suggestions, let us know the outcome of whatever you decide to do.

EJ

[melv]

EJ911 said:

Not a crap question

+ 1!!

Just watch guest drivers in the Carrera Cup!!

[stegefal]

EJ911 said:

Not a crap question

+2

Be nice if more people from all Marques thought like this. When I got my first TVR I used a company called Ride Drive all serving TVP traffic Officers at the time and they were excellent. Definitely not what I expected from Policemen!

[Baby Blue]

Whether they choose to admit it or not most road craft courses are based on the Police Manual written in the middle of the last century ............triangle of attack etc

Any proper advanced driving instructors on the road i believe are required to be licencsed driving instructors ...............its all back to basics ,like it or not

[mollytherocker]

One of the most satisfying skills you can learn is heel & toeing. Not only will this increase your overall control and balance of the car but its also smoother on the whole drivetrain.

Its also great fun and once youre good at it and can feel the effect it has, you will never go back!

And remember, you can never stop learning.

I'm playing with trail braking at the moment, but dont quite 'get it' yet. It feels slower, but I know it isnt!

MTR

[melv]

mollytherocker said:

I'm playing with trail braking at the moment.......

MTR

IMNVHO u should leave that for the track!!

Two items that help me on road and track:
-the Vic Elford imaginary string from big toe to bottom of steering wheel -i.e. full on brake or accelerator only when wheel dead ahead and the more you turn the wheel, the more your toe is lifted of the pedals....
-the Jackie Stewart large ball bearing in a box. Imagine your car is a wooden box and you have to move the ball bearing around gently from side to side, back to front during cornering, braking, accelerating...gently...

Take it from here!!!!!

Plus there is also an Advanced Driving forum on PH...........

[mollytherocker]

melv said:

mollytherocker said:

I'm playing with trail braking at the moment.......

MTR

IMNVHO u should leave that for the track!!

An ex-F1 driver tried to teach me how to trail brake in an Evora S at Silverstone in the rain. It was a bit hairy!!

MTR

[Digga]

Left foot braking anyone?

[DavidAL]

Flat6time said:

Get yourself booked in at Porsche Experience Centre. They will tailor a course to you, and it is well worth the time.

http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/

I learned all about adjusting the cornering line with throttle, which I was never aware of before, and it has tightened up my road driving, and geven me an excellent insight into what happens beyond the fringes of grip.

Oh an if you are really lucky you will get Richard Atwood to coach you.

+1

I had an afternoon there driving a GT3 with Richard as my guide.. It was an afternoon well spent.. It can be tailored to what you want to learn and it's a safe environment..

Nothing against any of the other suggestions, by the way.. Just I can speak from experience of the PEC...

[Nurburgsingh]

How does the cost of a pec afternoon compare with one of the others mentioned?

[Helen Goff]

its a good question and is exactly why i'm going to Silverstone Porsche driving experience centre.

http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/

[rimkah]

Drive at every opportunity runway events, track days, meets etc...

[986johnjohn]

Had a day out with Bernard a couple of years ago in my WRX and intend to book another day in my 986. Really enjoyed the day, but it was really exhausting. Bernard is a top bloke who will also pick up any faults your car may have. Recommend enjoy

[SonnyM]

Nurburgsingh said:

How does the cost of a pec afternoon compare with one of the others mentioned?

I have been to PEC twice - the quality and flexibility of the course depends on the instructor you get.

It is expensive and you do not get a professional racing driver instructor - there is therefore a clear trade off in the instruction.

Sean Edwards comes highly recommended but Porsche hire for his courses is not cheap at all...

[nickfrog]

If you book a cheap novice track day somewhere like Bedford and get a couple of instruction sessions at £25 a go you should be able to learn 95% of what you need to know and have fun in the process.