Advanced/performance driving tuition Sussex
Discussion
Several years ago I spent an excellent day on a Ride Drive course focusing on advanced road techniques and also some time on a “track” where I had the opportunity to do laps as well as some limit handling stuff.
They sadly don’t exist anymore but I’m looking to do something as similar as possible if anyone can recommend a place or instructor?
I’m in Brighton but can travel through Sussex or Surrey if needed.
I suspect a day with a good advanced driver or ex police would be perfect but I haven’t found anything locally.
If anyone has any recommendations that would be great!
They sadly don’t exist anymore but I’m looking to do something as similar as possible if anyone can recommend a place or instructor?
I’m in Brighton but can travel through Sussex or Surrey if needed.
I suspect a day with a good advanced driver or ex police would be perfect but I haven’t found anything locally.
If anyone has any recommendations that would be great!
Thanks all. Sounds like a worthwhile investment!
Other than Ride Drive and a recent drift day I haven’t done more formal training although I spent a lot of time with an advanced driver going for runs and being coached, albeit for fun and practice than being official “training”.
Like most on here, driving is my passion and I’m always interested in learning and improving. I’ll definitely consider the IAM too but was initially looking for a day or two to focus on overall improvements and some specifics.
Thanks for all the input, I will drop HPC a line
Other than Ride Drive and a recent drift day I haven’t done more formal training although I spent a lot of time with an advanced driver going for runs and being coached, albeit for fun and practice than being official “training”.
Like most on here, driving is my passion and I’m always interested in learning and improving. I’ll definitely consider the IAM too but was initially looking for a day or two to focus on overall improvements and some specifics.
Thanks for all the input, I will drop HPC a line
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
Always a good decision to get more training. As far as I'm aware though, you'd need to travel to either Banbury or Bridgend.
Also, if you've not done much post-test training previously you may get better value from the course by completing an IAM or RoSPA qualification first.
Just to add, I dropped my local IAM a line to arrange a taster with a view to doing the course as that also seems like a very good idea! Thanks for sparking the thought. Also, if you've not done much post-test training previously you may get better value from the course by completing an IAM or RoSPA qualification first.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
Good choice - the mainstream organisations do a great job. Because they're volunteer-run there's a small risk that you'll be assigned an observer / tutor you don't get on with, but if that happens just stick with it and ask for different one.
Pretty much all post-test training in the UK is based on Roadcraft, the Police driver training manual. Becoming familiar with it through an IAM or RoSPA course will mean you can then do higher-level courses without wasting your time on the basics.
There's lots of advice and support available for the asking on this forum and the wider web too, including Reg Local's YouTube channel.
They’ve just got back to me and I’m booked in for a taster Pretty much all post-test training in the UK is based on Roadcraft, the Police driver training manual. Becoming familiar with it through an IAM or RoSPA course will mean you can then do higher-level courses without wasting your time on the basics.
There's lots of advice and support available for the asking on this forum and the wider web too, including Reg Local's YouTube channel.
I have Roadcraft and have just started going through Reg’s videos!
I’ve been fortunate to spend quite a lot of time with an advanced driver but see no harm in going over it all again and I’m sure there is plenty I’ve forgotten! Learning is perpetual and I’m looking forward to the next steps.
I’ll contact HPC after the taster and keep this updated if it’s of any interest.
Update as promised!
I met my local observer (John) and we spent some time talking through how IAM works, its aims and objectives and what I could expect to get out of the course if I decided to join.
I liked the fact he asked about my interests, what I wanted to focus on, my passion for driving and my obvious interest in performance cars!
Then of course we went for a drive, which lasted around 40 minutes or so. During this time, John mentioned a few techniques and observations. Some of these I queried, and he was happy to explain why the IAM prescribed these things and was open to feedback.
I chatted about cornering, and he was happy to alter the planned route so we could take in some twisty roads and give me an overview of the system and answer my questions.
Once back, he of course shared his feedback (which was actually very flattering
) but obviously included some tweaks for improvement.
He also mentioned they hold track days at Thruxton where you go round with an advanced driver, which obviously peaked my interest a lot!
The end of the story is that I was really impressed, I enjoyed the observed drive and getting useful feedback, and have joined up to take the full IAM course
I appreciate it's observer dependant, but I didn't find the approach overly prescriptive, I found it very relaxed and of course useful. I really liked John's approach and his attitude. I have read some comments about it feeling 'fuddy duddy', but that certainly wasn't my experience. Although it echoes my own driving style, I like the planning ahead/making progress approach, and honing and improving this will absolutely make me a better driver.
Overall, whilst no one is perfect I'm certainly not far from where I want to be, but I absolutely believe I can get lots of useful techniques and improvements by doing the course. I'm open minded about learning as much as possible and should be starting quite soon.
Very happy to continue to share thoughts as I progress, though I expect most on here will know what it entails and what to expect.
Once I pass the IAM, and having done more research, I am really interested in a course with Don Palmer, so onwards and upwards!
I met my local observer (John) and we spent some time talking through how IAM works, its aims and objectives and what I could expect to get out of the course if I decided to join.
I liked the fact he asked about my interests, what I wanted to focus on, my passion for driving and my obvious interest in performance cars!
Then of course we went for a drive, which lasted around 40 minutes or so. During this time, John mentioned a few techniques and observations. Some of these I queried, and he was happy to explain why the IAM prescribed these things and was open to feedback.
I chatted about cornering, and he was happy to alter the planned route so we could take in some twisty roads and give me an overview of the system and answer my questions.
Once back, he of course shared his feedback (which was actually very flattering
) but obviously included some tweaks for improvement.He also mentioned they hold track days at Thruxton where you go round with an advanced driver, which obviously peaked my interest a lot!
The end of the story is that I was really impressed, I enjoyed the observed drive and getting useful feedback, and have joined up to take the full IAM course
I appreciate it's observer dependant, but I didn't find the approach overly prescriptive, I found it very relaxed and of course useful. I really liked John's approach and his attitude. I have read some comments about it feeling 'fuddy duddy', but that certainly wasn't my experience. Although it echoes my own driving style, I like the planning ahead/making progress approach, and honing and improving this will absolutely make me a better driver.
Overall, whilst no one is perfect I'm certainly not far from where I want to be, but I absolutely believe I can get lots of useful techniques and improvements by doing the course. I'm open minded about learning as much as possible and should be starting quite soon.
Very happy to continue to share thoughts as I progress, though I expect most on here will know what it entails and what to expect.
Once I pass the IAM, and having done more research, I am really interested in a course with Don Palmer, so onwards and upwards!
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