Friday 7th August 2015

Advanced and Performance Driving - how to

From General Gassing to published author, PHer R_U_Local has made a book that outsells Clarkson!

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Of all the long-standing General Gassing sub-forums Advanced Driving is one of the most enduring and - still - eagerly discussed. Not one for the faint of heart it's a topic attracting a lot of strongly held and often conflicting opinions. But also plenty of genuinely interesting discussions for those of us who regard driving as more than just an exercise in getting from A to B.

Any regulars within Advanced Driving will recognise the name of R_U_Local, a PH member since 2006 who self deprecatingly lists his occupation as 'Jobsworth' in his user profile. He's certainly a prolific and impassioned contributor to this section of General Gassing, his background as a police traffic officer and, later, police driving instructor giving his posts on the subject some weight and authority.

From police driving to Amazon best seller!

Fellow PHers suggested he collate the tips he's put up over the years into an ebook, which he published earlier this year on Amazon under his nom de plume Reg Local and quickly topped the Automotive section of the Kindle store. Further demand for a 'real' book saw him once again re-edit the posts and put out a version in print, of which he sent us a review copy to, in his words, "read/mock/use as a door stop or keep in the loo to read if you're ever bored while passing a difficult stool."

He's far too modest! If you've any interest in improving your driving or simply want to know more about the how the emergency services train their drivers it's a genuinely interesting read. Sceptics or those on the receiving end of some of the more pompous advice dished out by 'advanced drivers' in the real or virtual world will be reassured by his introduction too. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying our cars just for the sake of it and that's probably where 'advanced driving' is letting itself down," he says. "The subject needs lightening up a bit ... with a view to attracting more people, especially enthusiasts, to the idea that becoming a better driver is just as satisfying and enjoyable as getting a better car."

Impassioned debate about whether left-foot braking is appropriate on the road will continue and it's unlikely the arm crossers will ever find an accord with the wheel shufflers of this world. But for spreading the word and a very PH view of advanced driving respect is due to Reg and congratulations on making it as a published author in the wider world beyond General Gassing!

Advanced & Performance Driving by Reg Local is available on Amazon, priced £9.99.

 

[wst]

Christ, a thread I made got mentioned in an article. Oops. I'm glad I put that disclaimer at the start, heh.

[wst]

Scottie - NW said:

We have to do IAM assessments in work which are good, and if more people in IAM gave answers like you I'd probably join. However, local members of the IAM suck all the joy out of driving.

My IAM observer had his flat cap firmly jammed down on his head yet didn't encourage doddering. Well, compared to "recently passed test"-wst's pace anyway.