Ride Drive - winter or spring/summer?
Discussion
I need to do a Ridedrive course as my experience of performance and RWD drive cars is limited to my Chim which I've had since July.
Do you think it is best to do this course in the winter, when the conditions are likely to be more hazardous, meaning slower speeds, but perhaps the potential to learn more about how not to lose it, or in the spring/summer when greater speeds are possible if it's dry and i could push the car to its limits more? My feeling was always to wait as you can always simulate wet conditions in a controlled environment, but not vice versa.
Do you think it is best to do this course in the winter, when the conditions are likely to be more hazardous, meaning slower speeds, but perhaps the potential to learn more about how not to lose it, or in the spring/summer when greater speeds are possible if it's dry and i could push the car to its limits more? My feeling was always to wait as you can always simulate wet conditions in a controlled environment, but not vice versa.
Apparently it makes very little difference whether you do it in the wet or dry. Bar one thing. I did mine in the dry and required 4 new tyres afterwards - they don't tell you that in the ads ! One of my rear tyres had actually delaminated - it was only 7 months old ! I did a full day and it was pretty much over by 15:00, so pick a day soon, and pray its icy if your skint.
Roobarb said:
Apparently it makes very little difference whether you do it in the wet or dry. Bar one thing. I did mine in the dry and required 4 new tyres afterwards - they don't tell you that in the ads ! One of my rear tyres had actually delaminated - it was only 7 months old ! I did a full day and it was pretty much over by 15:00, so pick a day soon, and pray its icy if your skint.
I was thinking of doing half day on the public roads and the second half on a track/airfield. Does the same advice apply?
what were you doing? Gav, go for a half day now and then top-up in the spring/summer with another half-day, you'll then be more confident and have the dry roads to make use of it. I did a second half day a few weeks back, it wasn't wet that day but had been the day before, so the instructor was giving me advise on where wet patches could occur (leave it!) and what to watch out for.
I think the tyre warnings only could if you're doing the track course, but I'd not expect to go through tyres that quickly.
I think the tyre warnings only could if you're doing the track course, but I'd not expect to go through tyres that quickly.
Roobarb said:
Apparently it makes very little difference whether you do it in the wet or dry. Bar one thing. I did mine in the dry and required 4 new tyres afterwards - they don't tell you that in the ads ! One of my rear tyres had actually delaminated - it was only 7 months old ! I did a full day and it was pretty much over by 15:00, so pick a day soon, and pray its icy if your skint.
I'd get your tracking checked if I were you as to wear out all four tyres on one day is very extreme...
In my old S3 (not that much less power to weight than a 4.0 RV8) I did a track day, ride drive and airfield day on the same set of tyres, I only replaced the back two due to puncture.
>> Edited by Tripps on Tuesday 30th November 17:28
Tripps said:
Gav, go for a half day now and then top-up in the spring/summer with another half-day, you'll then be more confident and have the dry roads to make use of it. .
Rather than half day in the spring then half in the winter? I suppose there's nothing like being thrown in at the deep end, but that's not always sensible, especially if the deep end is a ditch!
Gavstar said:The half-day courses are not about balls-out driving, more neat progressive technique, car sympathy and observation, not getting your back-end out and controlling the slide.
Gav, go for a half day now and then top-up in the spring/summer with another half-day, you'll then be more confident and have the dry roads to make use of it. .
Rather than half day in the spring then half in the winter? I suppose there's nothing like being thrown in at the deep end, but that's not always sensible, especially if the deep end is a ditch!
I'd be very suprised if they'd ever have a customer crash during a winter course...
Anyway its better to learn loss of grip techniques in the winter as it happens more progressively and at lower speeds than in the dry when your tyres let go. A wet or icy empty carpark is ideal for this
I did mine in the most torrential rain.
It was useful - I've never aquaplaned before.
I did twice on that day but I don't think that's typical of a RD course 
I'd recommend doing it now. If you can drive in the wet then you'll find the dry a doddle.
It'll be useful - they'll show you how to read the surface conditions, make you think about road being wet in the shade, looking out for fallen leaves from overhanging trees - all stuff that you won't even think about in summer.
It was useful - I've never aquaplaned before.
I did twice on that day but I don't think that's typical of a RD course I'd recommend doing it now. If you can drive in the wet then you'll find the dry a doddle.
It'll be useful - they'll show you how to read the surface conditions, make you think about road being wet in the shade, looking out for fallen leaves from overhanging trees - all stuff that you won't even think about in summer.
PetrolTed said:Glad you said that Ted, as most people who talk to about the observational part of Ride Drive seem to reckon they know it all and use it, where-as the little hints and tips they teach you when put together really make a difference I found.
It'll be useful - they'll show you how to read the surface conditions, make you think about road being wet in the shade, looking out for fallen leaves from overhanging trees - all stuff that you won't even think about in summer.
In fact, all the stuff that you'd rarely even think about if you only drive a car, but that's second nature to an experienced motorcyclist.
That's not decrying the course, either, as I learned loads, and I've done over 1/4 million miles on bikes. It's just that over the years you pick up snippets and they go into your subconcious, so that you spot things without even knowing you have. Road surface changed, manhole covers, overbanding, holes in hedges, potholes, mud, trees, bushes, wind direction, I could go on for hours.
That's not decrying the course, either, as I learned loads, and I've done over 1/4 million miles on bikes. It's just that over the years you pick up snippets and they go into your subconcious, so that you spot things without even knowing you have. Road surface changed, manhole covers, overbanding, holes in hedges, potholes, mud, trees, bushes, wind direction, I could go on for hours.
Im doing a full day including the airfield tyre wrecker next Monday, mainly cos this is my first winter owning a TVR and like someone has already said if you can master it in the wet you have no worries come summer
I would not want to do it in mid winter when its icy etc but the conditions now are not exactly treachorous......I mean what's the worse that can happen
I would not want to do it in mid winter when its icy etc but the conditions now are not exactly treachorous......I mean what's the worse that can happen
Gavstar said:
Thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards doing it a.s.a.p. now. Is half day sufficient to start with?
I'd say yes it is. You will be concentrating very hard over that half day, and need time to assimilate what you learn, as well. It's well worth it, and a very enjoyable experience.
caro said:I'd agree with that as its quite a tiring day when you've done some top-notch hooning and had to think about everything too.
Thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards doing it a.s.a.p. now. Is half day sufficient to start with?
They did offer a £20 discount on your 2nd half day if booked within 30 days of the first day BTW, don't know if they still do though.
BTW Try to get a copy of Roadcraft the police driving manual before you go and have a whizz through it, as thats the technique they teach.
I did the half day in torrential rain with added thunder and lightening plus flooded roads for my road driving course, brilliant as I now know how to react in some situations, the wet was had always worried me. The roadcraft book is superb. I am doing another one in march!! well worth the money
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