Advanced driving courses, performance driving?

[griff59]

Hi all, I've been thinking about taking a a few days with an instructor, on a track, but don't know really what or where to look for what I want.
I've got a TVR Griffith, and I'm getting used to it, but feel I'm not making the most of the car, in terms of feeling really confident with it.
I'm looking for some sort of performance/assessment course, I am interested in maybe taking part in a few track days too, but would like to feel a bit more confident before I do that.
I'm like a lot of people, the Griff is used for club meets, and the occasional outing, but I'd like to take it a bit further sometimes.
Any reccomendations regarding courses or anything else would be welcome, I'm based in East Kent.

[griff59]

88racing said:

CAT Driver Training.

I've investigated, looks OK, Bedford, so not that far away.
I'm in my mid 60's, reactions aren't what they used to be, but it would be good to get some sort of an assessment, good or bad.

[griff59]

softtop said:

If you can drive to the IAM standards then you will be ok. Unless it has changed since I instructed then it is based on being the best you can be on the road. Couple your awareness with the simple approach of only putting your foot down with a straight steering wheel then that is a good place to start. Once you have mastered this then you maybe into powering out of the apex though get the confidence first.

Thanks, I'm in my mid 60's, my confidence isn't what it used to be, but you could have called it "recklessness"
I'd say I hold back and I'm over cautious these days, I do only put my foot down with a straight steering wheel, and a clear road, I like the challenge of lots of bends, but I'm definitely not confident enough to push the car to anywhere near its limits. I'm driving a TVR Griffith, an old school car, and I'm even more aware of the potential issues with it when cornering and accelerating. That's where I need some training I think, for safety, and confidence if I decide to go on the occasional track day.

Edited by griff59 on Wednesday 12th December 11:27

[griff59]

Digga said:

iggest issue with the Rover V8 eninged TVRs is people not being fully aware of quite how much engine braking there is; have a bit of a 'panic lift' mid corner and you might as well pull the handbrake on too. That's where, IMHO, a significant danger lies.

These are can be made to handle pretty well. Driver training is definiely a good thing, but chassis set-up and geometry is also key. When I had my Griff 500, I took to to (TVR Tuscan Challenge winner) Steve Guglielmi, in Daventry, and he did a superb job with it.

Yes I got majorly caught out with this engine braking on a recent run, it was quite scary, I thought the brakes had seized! Managed to recover though, just about!