I want to learn to "drive"
Discussion
Of course I know how to drive but does anyone know where I can go and learn how to really drive my car. I don't want a track day as such but an airfield day with an instructor. South west area as I'm based near Bournemouth. I feel that the car is much more capable than I am and would like to gain a little more confidence to drive quicker (but safe) and not only in straight lines.
This is exactly what you need.
https://www.motorsport-events.com/pages/1-to-1-tui...
I had half a day many years ago with Ed which was a full four hours non-stop driving.
We had an empty airfield and they set up for different disciplines ending with flat out laps around a set up circuit.
Thoroughly enjoyable and it really improved my track driving, so much so that I have moved up to semi driving god status! I also ended up with four illegal tyres at the end!
Their venues are fairly near to you as well as a bonus!
https://www.motorsport-events.com/pages/1-to-1-tui...
I had half a day many years ago with Ed which was a full four hours non-stop driving.
We had an empty airfield and they set up for different disciplines ending with flat out laps around a set up circuit.
Thoroughly enjoyable and it really improved my track driving, so much so that I have moved up to semi driving god status! I also ended up with four illegal tyres at the end!
Their venues are fairly near to you as well as a bonus!
I believe any of the track day organisers (Gold Track is one that springs to mind/&had experience of) have ARDs qualified instructors available.
A mate of mine is doing a Track day at Thruxton with his Caterham in the next 3 - 6 weeks with Gold Track. He's definitely got an instructor.....Mind you, Thruxton is very fast - but good run offs (except the chicane).
Nick
A mate of mine is doing a Track day at Thruxton with his Caterham in the next 3 - 6 weeks with Gold Track. He's definitely got an instructor.....Mind you, Thruxton is very fast - but good run offs (except the chicane).
Nick
You could try skid pan training.
This will show the cars characteristics at a much reduced speed.
You can learn to deal with understeer and oversteer.
If you master it you might be able to create then hold a slide as in drifting, not for driftings sake but to control the car at the edge of traction.
The slower speeds and the fact you slow everything down as in your movements of input to the car is a lesson in itself. Your reaction times will need to be extremely fast though and you’ll learn to feel the car starting to break away better and earlier.
It’s only when you have found the cars limits can you find yours in that particular car.
Ive not done a skid pan day ( yet) but my first trackday in my Tvr was on old rock hard tyres in torrential rain at Bedford, I loved it as it was very easy to slide etc, I just used the day to get used to the cars knife edge handling chatactor, find the balance point and dance with it.
I decided that day the car was really pretty good on smooth roads to a point, add in bumps and things change drastically so road driving I never get close to this sort of experience as it’s just to risky.
My point is really just you’ll not learn much until you get to the edge of grip, slower speeds in wet conditions make that easier to find and a few spins learning won’t wear the car unduly on a skid pan or similar.
Driving to me is about controlled movements of both hands and feet at the same time obviously and this correlation is vital in the wet and you have to learn what to do when.
Driving instructor should help you with how to manipulate the car to your favour with these movements
Yes Airfield would be the best thing overall As would carting if your not really on top of understeer/oversteer etc then a good instructor just getting you braking and setting the car up for a corner etc.
Great fun learning that’s all I know
ETA
You ask a very good question about brakes, standard you’ll get fade pretty quickly on a fast track and you’ll need the pads to be almost new as you’ll wear them very quickly in the dry.
I’ve seen people turn up with 40% worn pads and there’s no pad left by lunch time!
This will show the cars characteristics at a much reduced speed.
You can learn to deal with understeer and oversteer.
If you master it you might be able to create then hold a slide as in drifting, not for driftings sake but to control the car at the edge of traction.
The slower speeds and the fact you slow everything down as in your movements of input to the car is a lesson in itself. Your reaction times will need to be extremely fast though and you’ll learn to feel the car starting to break away better and earlier.
It’s only when you have found the cars limits can you find yours in that particular car.
Ive not done a skid pan day ( yet) but my first trackday in my Tvr was on old rock hard tyres in torrential rain at Bedford, I loved it as it was very easy to slide etc, I just used the day to get used to the cars knife edge handling chatactor, find the balance point and dance with it.
I decided that day the car was really pretty good on smooth roads to a point, add in bumps and things change drastically so road driving I never get close to this sort of experience as it’s just to risky.
My point is really just you’ll not learn much until you get to the edge of grip, slower speeds in wet conditions make that easier to find and a few spins learning won’t wear the car unduly on a skid pan or similar.
Driving to me is about controlled movements of both hands and feet at the same time obviously and this correlation is vital in the wet and you have to learn what to do when.
Driving instructor should help you with how to manipulate the car to your favour with these movements
Yes Airfield would be the best thing overall As would carting if your not really on top of understeer/oversteer etc then a good instructor just getting you braking and setting the car up for a corner etc.
Great fun learning that’s all I know
ETA
You ask a very good question about brakes, standard you’ll get fade pretty quickly on a fast track and you’ll need the pads to be almost new as you’ll wear them very quickly in the dry.
I’ve seen people turn up with 40% worn pads and there’s no pad left by lunch time!
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 10th February 10:02
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 10th February 10:08
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 10th February 10:14
You definitely don’t need a set of spare tyres but just ensure that your existing are in good condition.
I attended with a half worn set of triple eights and having done several track days before we were very much full on it from the beginning, hence the worn tyres.
Two of the tyres were actually down to the canvas.
Regarding brakes, mine were upgraded at the time but if you are using standard calipers just make sure you have good quality pads and not cheapie specials!
I attended with a half worn set of triple eights and having done several track days before we were very much full on it from the beginning, hence the worn tyres.
Two of the tyres were actually down to the canvas.
Regarding brakes, mine were upgraded at the time but if you are using standard calipers just make sure you have good quality pads and not cheapie specials!
black_potato said:
dobbie said:
This is a great place to startAnd IAM for learning to avoid needing to use it..
HiAsAKite said:
black_potato said:
dobbie said:
This is a great place to startAnd IAM for learning to avoid needing to use it..
http://catdrivertraining.co.uk/
I think these are the guys my friend has used on a few ocassions. He was very pleased.
I think these are the guys my friend has used on a few ocassions. He was very pleased.
I'll second the suggestion of a half-day with Ed Moore. Like phazed I did this a few years ago and it was absolutely brilliant.
A mate and I booked a whole day between us and did the "exercises" in turn meaning that car and driver got a chance to cool down rather than doing a straight 3 1/2 - 4 hour stint.
Ed is a great guy and really knows his stuff, he currently races single seaters and is an ex-champion. As a bonus, over lunch, you'll get to hear about some of his celebrity encounters whilst working as a coach/demonstrator for Aston Martin.
You may not be a driving god by the end of the day but you will certainly know more about what the car (and you) are capable of.
Be careful though, all this going fast malarkey is a bit addictive!
A mate and I booked a whole day between us and did the "exercises" in turn meaning that car and driver got a chance to cool down rather than doing a straight 3 1/2 - 4 hour stint.
Ed is a great guy and really knows his stuff, he currently races single seaters and is an ex-champion. As a bonus, over lunch, you'll get to hear about some of his celebrity encounters whilst working as a coach/demonstrator for Aston Martin.
You may not be a driving god by the end of the day but you will certainly know more about what the car (and you) are capable of.
Be careful though, all this going fast malarkey is a bit addictive!
dobbie said:
Did this for fun with the tiv club about 4 years ago.The best part was the sprint circuit that they laid out on the most enormous piece of tarmac at North Weald.
On this, you can drive flat out and see what you/the car is capable of, absolutely brilliant.
After a few outings I achieved 2nd fastest time of the day, (behind a Nissan GTR) out off about 30 cars, very pleased indeed.
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