Passed IAM today!

[Synchromesh]

Took my IAM test this morning and passed. I didn't think it had actually gone that so it was a bit of a surprise to hear of my success. Started off with the examiner (Andy Poulton) realising one of my back tyres was only just legal. My commentary was poor then fizzled out and I forgot the last road sign when he asked. However he is the chief examiner so I suppose if he thinks I'm of IAM stnadard then I am Just got to keep improving now and make every drive as good as it can be!

[Synchromesh]

MagicalTrevor said:

Congratulations mate, I guess you must be around Bristol too then if Andy was your Examiner?

I'll tell you what, the IAM course really helped when driving around in this snow.

That's right. I live in Bristol so am affiliated to the Bristol group. I read your IAM diary some time ago and found it very interesting, but found I didn't go thought a 'lull' like you and many others experienced - but maybe it's because I only learnt to drive in Jan, so am still used to being instructed and less set in my ways so to speak.

[Synchromesh]

JPJPJP said:

well done, hopefully santa brought you some new rubber

Thanks. I got the tyres the next day. In fact here's my thread about them: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Synchromesh]

Thanks all

[Synchromesh]

Just a little update on my advanced driving 'progress' for all who are interested...

After my test in January I felt I needed a little time to reaffirm and 'bed-in' what I had learnt, but, having missed the event in 2010, decided to go to the HPC Young Drivers' Day in August. And what a great day it was. Had drives with two top guys (both had Porsches funnily enough, but then this was HPC!) as well as seminars on some very pertinent topics. Being driven by these guys gave me the elusive (but hard to convey) feeling of both fast progress yet absolute security, an ethos I aim to reflect in my own driving.

Following this, I decided that HPC entry was the direction I wanted to take my driving in, so I took up the very kind offer of a day's tuition from another highly rated HPC member. I found this day much more productive as it was one continuous session which gave me plenty of time to work on what I was being told, but just as enjoyable as the YDD.

I then attended my local IAM group's '3-in-a-car' session. This involves members going into groups of three and taking turns to drive, with the two passengers providing comments and criticism on the driver. As luck or good fortune would have, I was trio'd with not just one of the group's senior observers, but also the familiar face of Andy Poulton. It turned out to be one of my worst drives for a long while, which I was annoyed with myself about, but Andy very kindly offered to take me on another occasion for a proper one-to-one session, which I accepted without hesitation.

And I think this session with Andy turned out to be my most productive so far. I soon adapted to Andy's unique style and after a shaky start, I felt like my driving had made a discernable improvement. This session (as they all all do) also showed me how far I still have to go but I now feel one small step closer to being the driver I want to be.

So, what next? I'm lining up half a day with an HPC gatekeeper to see in I'm ready to take the entry course and I'll take it from there. I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case) so I'll be looking for other opportunities of a similar nature. However if anyone has any ideas whatsoever then please get in touch.

Edited by Synchromesh on Sunday 14th October 14:54

[Synchromesh]

On a side note, the last thing Andy taught me just before we finished was how to change gear without touching the clutch. Not an AD technique I know, but insanely cool nonetheless.

[Synchromesh]

erdnase said:

Synchromesh said:

On a side note, the last thing Andy taught me just before we finished was how to change gear without touching the clutch. Not an AD technique I know, but insanely cool nonetheless.

How do you do that?

I'll go through how Andy taught me (I'll take no responsibility if it all goes wrong etc...)

1) Find a quiet dual carriageway
2) Go to about 50 in 3rd gear
3) Hold the revs at a constant amount, then lift off accelerator by about 1cm
4) Just apply some pressure to the stick (in the direction of neutral) and it should just slot out. Continue to apply pressure (in the direction of 4th) and after about half a second the stick will slot itself into 4th.

Just remember though, if you hear grinding, stop applying the pressure.

I've had a few tries since my lesson and have to say it only works for me about 70% of the time, and once the revs have fallen too much it's not going to go in, and you'll need to use the clutch to get it into gear. Also, for me, sometimes there is a very slight jerk when is goes in.

Just thought I'd say. What made it even cooler was that the first time Andy mentioned it was after he'd just done it. With me at the wheel and without being given any instruction or even forewarning. Without the slightest jerk or grinding - just a fall in revs. All I could do at that point was laugh...

[Synchromesh]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

It's a technique that works particularly well in hired or loan cars.

[Synchromesh]

I wish I'd never made 'that' comment now...

I don't think my local IAM group is 'cliquey' as such, just that I'm not a well known face in the group, so probably don't command the respect of those who are regularly involved in the group's workings.

I'm slightly going off the idea of HPC at the moment, purely because is costs so much for what it is, and the entry 'course' is just the start. I will try to observe for the IAM (perhaps for another group) though.

[Synchromesh]

Mr Grayson said:

Trying to work out who you are ....

How can you call yourself a PHer if you can't find the name of my first pet through your internet detective skills

I drove with you first on the HPC YDD this year. The lad with the silver Polo (and smooth gear changes if remember your praise correctly).

Mr Grayson said:

Don't give up. There will be points of excitement, and troughs. You don't have to go at it all the time to enjoy it.

Thanks for the support. As with most things in life it has it's ups and downs.

Mr Grayson said:

Interested in this idea of AD-UK being cliquey

I think there's been a little confusion on this thread. A poster incorrectly inferred I was accusing my IAM group of being 'cliquey'. This was then once again misconstrued to mean ADUK. I have never been to an ADUK day, but after exploring the forum, the word cliquey would not come to mind. I look forward to attending an ADUK day in the future, when the next one appears locally (let's say within an hour of Bristol).

[Synchromesh]

waremark said:

Synchromesh said:

I'm slightly going off the idea of HPC at the moment, purely because is costs so much for what it is, and the entry 'course' is just the start. I will try to observe for the IAM (perhaps for another group) though.

Re cost of HPC, you pay something like £300 per day for the time of a coach of the absolute highest standard. I can accept that that is expensive by many standards, but not that it is expensive for what it is. After entry, accepted that all driving is expensive, but if you want to drive for recreation at all the value for money is exceptional.

This is the oft-repeated mantra I hear, and fully understand. However, that doesn't make it anymore affordable in my current situation, especially as I wouldn't be able to afford any of the benefits (track days etc) that being a member of the club brings.

[Synchromesh]

Good news! I'm onto the Observer Course for my local group. Have the Roadcraft and Highway Code test on Thursday week so I better start swatting...

[Synchromesh]

Mr Grayson said:

Mr Synchromesh, could you pop over to AD-UK and read your PMs, please, my colleague is awaiting a response from you

Sent.

[Synchromesh]

Mr Grayson said:

... and again please.

Done. Hopefully the (un)lucky driver will be able to see through the rather ironic nomenclature - don't let it get their hopes up after drawing the short straw of having to drive my car...

[Synchromesh]

Another mini update:

I passed the Highway Code and Roadcraft test with 37/40 (pass mark was 32) and was pleased with that given the awkwardness of the questions. Also took my FAD practical test today - I think the driving aspect went quite smoothly but my commentary wasn't the best, and I was given a few points to work on further, but thankfully I still passed. NB: 'FAD' stands for Further Advanced Driving, and involves a written test and more stringent practical test with a mandatory commentary. One must complete this before taking the Qualified Observer test in my (Bristol IAM) group.

I've also completed six sessions of watching Observers' 'lessons'. I've now got to complete six 'role-play' observing sessions with another trainee Observer and a senior Observer advising. Only then can I go on to take the QO test...

That aside I'm going to my first ADUK day on Sunday, so I'll report back (possibly with pics) in due course.

[Synchromesh]

Really enjoyed the ADUK day on Sunday. The roads were fantastic (including Zig-Zag hill all three times!), the weather was perfect and it was good to get some criticism on my driving from a different perspective to IAM. Will certainly be signing up for the next local one. Anyhow, here's a pic of our motley selection of motors outside the pub lunch stop.


ADUK GTOW pub stop by jlewisbarned, on Flickr

and a snap of my car I took along the way (yes a little OT I know, but what the heck).


Polo amongst trees by jlewisbarned, on Flickr

[Synchromesh]

Forgot to update here, but I passed my observer test last week, and met my first associate today at the group's first Skill for Life seminar for the January course. Seemed like a nice enough bloke with no predisposition about my age, which, incidentally, makes me the group's youngest observer (and, from my unscientific observations, by quite some margin).

In other news, I'm attending a track day at Brands on the 11th of next month which should be useful for my driver development in a broader sense, if not directly to ADing in it's truest form. Hopefully a new car as well in the forthcoming weeks so it's all go!

[Synchromesh]

Again, it's been a while since the last update here's where I'm at.

IAM-wise, my first associate dropped out after one session to due health and work constraints, but gave the group positive feedback on me, which was encouraging. Have now had 8 sessions with my second associate, and she's getting to the stage where she could go in for test.

I've also been to ADUK days in Maidenhead, the Brecon Beacons, Monmouth, Shaftesbury, and the Cotswolds, as well as some self arranged drives with other ADUK people. I've lost count of the number of HPC members I've now driven with (at a guess around 20) and I hope this is rubbing off on my own style. I think I've done well in terms of getting as much tuition as I can, for as little money as I can!

In April I put my money where my mouth is and booked half a day (which turned into most of a day) with Clive Jones. Turned out to be very insightful and although I felt I drove poorly (as is often the case the first time I drive with someone), I came away with a lot to work on.

I also went to the YDD again this year, which was just as good as last, and I got some good feedback on my own driving.

In terms of my general progress, I feel my observation and bend assessment are coming on, and I'm getting smoother on the controls. I know this sounds so basic, but I'm still not happy with the smoothness of my gear changing , especially down changing at higher revs. I'll be seeking help with this at some point.

[Synchromesh]

Little update: Spent Monday and Tuesday with a bloke called Clive Jones, who's recommending me for entry to HPC.

[Synchromesh]

stefan1 said:

Many congratulations (from a member). How did you find the course?

Cheers

Thank you Steve. We've spoken before...

The course was challenging, tiring, pushed me, but was also rewarding and fun.

I arrived at 8am on Monday, as we had to get to the skid pan at Oswestry by 12 as this was the only time it was available. Therefore we had to make good progress up there, so Clive felt he had to throw me in at the deep end. By the time we got back it was about 6pm and we'd covered around 300 miles.

As we'd had 10 hours in the car on Monday, we went for a shorter day on Tuesday, meeting at 9.30am to cover some theory on Roadcraft, stopping distances and recapping on skid control. We then left at about 10.30, covering around 200 miles including the B4059 4 times before coming back for a final debrief and finishing at 5pm.

In general, I find my own driving can be quite inconsistent. How much of this is phycological I don't know, but I feel I have days where I drive poorly, averagely or well, with no discernible pattern to this. WIth this in mind, I was quite pleased that I didn't feel I drove badly at any point, even when coming to the end of each day. Perhaps the fact I was paying a large sum of money for the tuition focused the mind a little.

Clive pushed me hard and didn't allow me a moment's slack. He made sure I was getting into contact, taking overtakes as soon as they came, and that I concentrated hard on limit points for maximum progress. For a short while he pushed me slightly harder than I would normally be comfortable, for want of a better expression, to 'eleven tenths' of my ability. I guess this was to show how much more potential there was to make progress.

Obviously his style was police advanced through and through, and I did at times feel like I was on pursuit training, in particular regarding the overtakes. He made me use the acceleration and braking capabilities of the car more than I was used to, but also much more than the smooth HPCers I'd like to emulate do. However, it was useful to be trained towards to the progressive side as I feel it would be easier to move back toward smoothness than the other way round. I should stress that I never felt uncomfortable with the pace, just that it was more progressive than how I'd usually drive, and my driving didn't become less smooth overall as in this regard it was improved in other areas i.e.coming off the brakes more smoothly.

In all, I really enjoyed the days, and feel it was money well spent. Obviously I'll have to try and keep my skill level up while I'm without a car of my own for a while. I'd have no hesitation in using Clive again, but would also like to do some training with Andy Morrison at some point as I've heard a lot of good things about him.