How not to crash my new Tuscan

[PrinceRupert]

I will soon be taking ownership of a 4.0 TVR Tuscan. I don't have any real high performance driving experience - a couple of mildly quick fwd cars (Honda Civic Type R, Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 v6) and one mildly quick modern rwd car (Fiat 124 Spider), plus a number of not even mildly quick cars. I know the general advice is "don't drive like a dick, you'll be fine", but obviously a Tuscan is a very light car with a lot of power, no driving aids and a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a handful, so I am a little apprehensive. In an ideal world, I'd do a day or two with an instructor, but not possible in the current lockdown (will likely look to do one after lockdown ends - presume a day with an advanced road instructor is better than a day with an instructor on a track/airfield/skidpan?).

In the meantime, any tips? I know the basic concepts of understeer v oversteer, rev matching to avoid locking up back wheels on downshift, brake / shift / turn / accelerate only when wheels are straight, be super careful in the cold / damp, but knowing the concepts is a little different to putting them into practice.

[PrinceRupert]

Yes, the desire is to learn to drive it quickly (and safely) on the road.

[PrinceRupert]

akirk said:

Perfect scenario for an advanced road instructor - Reg Local is often recommended on here - or there are a few others around the country...
generally speaking the issues with a high powered / not very tame car come either from:
- the driver is just stupid in how they drive / too much power and inappropriate conditions
- a driver who finds they need to react faster than expected / is caught unawares / who doesn't predict a tricky situation

those in the first category are not even likely to consider training - they probably assume that they are good drivers already
those in the second category will benefit hugely - advanced driving training is partially about technique, but a lot about observation / thinking ahead / predicting / planning - all of which will minimise situations which end up causing issues...

so, absolutely - do a day when you can but for now - maybe buy a copy of Roadcraft (the police manual) - or visit their online website (https://www.roadcraft.co.uk/) - the teaching in there will go a long way towards making sure you don't have any issues - handling skills teach you what you can do once an incident happens, but far better to be ahead of the game and prevent it...

Thanks! RegLocal looks like the sort of chap I need to speak to. Any idea where he is based, it is not apparent from his website ...

[PrinceRupert]

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not trying to learn to drift around roundabouts. The Tuscan has a bit of a reputation for being a bit unpredictable, so want to make sure I can drive it confidently, safely and quickly (within the speed limits, of course) on the public roads. Perhaps it doesn't deserve its reputation and I won't have any problems, but a little bit of extra training can never be a bad thing.

@Reg - I'll drop you an e-mail, though I'm London based so you might be a bit far away.

[PrinceRupert]

2gins said:

I would suggest Car Limits as a good experience if you're London based.

Also, very much slow in, fast out. Not the other way around.

And get the geometry set up properly by someone who knows what they're doing. Lots of help in the TVR club pages. Welcome aboard

Thanks. It looks like Car Limits might be about to go bust ...

https://www.carlimits.com/

"Unfortunately due to the tough trading times, CarLimits Ltd's future is uncertain. We are looking at all options including the sale of all or parts of the company."

[PrinceRupert]

CABC said:

i don't think skid pans are a panacea, sure they're relevant but the limit feel in the dry is quite different. i'd consider an airfield session like Car Limits, though the surface is a bit brutal and you'll probably burn a set of tyres.
I thought the Tuscan was a pussycat in comparison to earlier TVRs in that it would be you losing it rather than it biting you 'unexpectedly'.
sweet car. maybe check the release mechanism for boot and petrol cap is properly maintained!

Thanks. At 700+ quid for a set of tyres, I'd rather avoid burning through them in a day I don't really want a day spend drifting round corners.

[PrinceRupert]

DuncanM said:

Neutral throttle if you have any steering lock on at all is a good starter. Drive for understeer in this weather.

A car with a fixed rear axle, is always either under steering, or over steering when the steering wheel is off centre. If you keep this in mind, you should be able to feel the car moving about.

TVRs have lovely long throttle travel, which helps. I would try keeping the revs under 4.5k in the cold, and be careful in a straight line too, as a lot powerful rwd cars end up crashed this time of year.

Do you have a daily driver too?

Thank you!

I do have another car (well two but one isn't running!) and don't actually have anywhere i need to drive to (well other than the supermarket once a week) so can only take the Tuscan out when the weather is appropriate.