Skid Pan - RWD?

Author
Discussion

vsonix

Original Poster:

3,858 posts

170 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
OK, so I phoned up Westpoint Driver's academy a while ago because I want to do a skid pan course to improve my skill level at car control and in case I ever find myself in a hairy situation. But, Westpoint only offer skid pan courses in FWD cars (mondeo iirc) and of course won't let you 'skid what you brung'. Since I am not intending to buy an FWD car any time soon, this is less use to me, can anyone recommend a place, preferably local, that does this kind of training with RWD vehicles?

I know I could wait for it to snow then do a few doughnuts in a supermarket car park but knowing my luck the cops would turn up in minutes and ruin my day. Any suggestions please?

Dixy

3,142 posts

212 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
Castle Combe.

vsonix

Original Poster:

3,858 posts

170 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
quotequote all
Thanks, but a bit far from me, I should have mentioned I'm based in Exeter hence originally contacting Westpoint, as it's five miles from my house. Getting to Castle Combe and back is quite a lot in fuel and would warrant a day trip rather than just a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Plus idk if I'd fancy a long drive home after the experience cos I'd be wanting to let it all sink in for a while.
I'll bear it in mind though unless anyone can suggest anywhere nearer?


Alan_D350

86 posts

279 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences/skid-o...

I know it's not quite on your doorstep, but it's not *that* far really, and seems like it's exactly what you're after?

vsonix

Original Poster:

3,858 posts

170 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
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ah yeah that might be closer to what I am after. Although kinda sucks I have to use my own car, what if it breaks? tongue out

TDIfurby

1,997 posts

182 months

Thursday 20th October 2016
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The Devon Travel Academy cars / courses are not aimed at people who want to control RWD / drift. They are loss of control "control" courses, so the idea is they can fake skids at each axle by lifting it on a jig - the cars also can have ABS etc turned on and off on a control panel which is pretty cool. It's definitely not for drifting practice.

aka_kerrly

12,490 posts

217 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
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Dixy said:
Castle Combe.
I've done the Castle Combe skid pan day and was left a little underwhelmed.

The skid pan area isn't that large and you don't get much time in the driving seat, you spend more time in the classroom and then getting passenger rides.

When you do get your go you get 2 maybe 3 laps of the figure of 8 course in a FWD then a RWD (Rover 214 an E30 316i) followed by a timed run of the figure of 8 course plus the opportunity to do a handbrake turn into a parking space.




DevonPaul

1,293 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Alan_D350 said:
http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences/skid-o...

I know it's not quite on your doorstep, but it's not *that* far really, and seems like it's exactly what you're after?
We did the one in their Toyota and Mini, and it was a very good and informative experience.

Slow speed, tight slightly sloping circuit, radio comms to instructor, but still good. More about low speed and maintaining control than drifting/sliding.

We stayed in the Tavelodge near Amesbury the night before to save an early start. We should have gone straight to the circuit and slept in the car.

RemaL

25,010 posts

241 months

Wednesday 2nd November 2016
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Dixy said:
Castle Combe.
Combe to Exeter about 85 miles so what less than 1 half hours there. not that far for a fun morning or afternoon for a petrolhead. As for using Fuel! most important think about being a PH'er enjoying fuel in a manner that a RWD deserves

vsonix

Original Poster:

3,858 posts

170 months

Wednesday 2nd November 2016
quotequote all
TDIfurby said:
The Devon Travel Academy cars / courses are not aimed at people who want to control RWD / drift. They are loss of control "control" courses, so the idea is they can fake skids at each axle by lifting it on a jig - the cars also can have ABS etc turned on and off on a control panel which is pretty cool. It's definitely not for drifting practice.
Drifting is the direction I eventually want to take but to begin with I want to learn advanced control of skid management and prevention etc.

RemaL

25,010 posts

241 months

Thursday 3rd November 2016
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vsonix said:
TDIfurby said:
The Devon Travel Academy cars / courses are not aimed at people who want to control RWD / drift. They are loss of control "control" courses, so the idea is they can fake skids at each axle by lifting it on a jig - the cars also can have ABS etc turned on and off on a control panel which is pretty cool. It's definitely not for drifting practice.
Drifting is the direction I eventually want to take but to begin with I want to learn advanced control of skid management and prevention etc.
If drifting is you thing then join this group and ask about.

https://www.facebook.com/kyoutodrift/

I know most of the guys well and they may be able to point you in the right direction

Smitters

4,125 posts

164 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Pricey option, but Caterham Drift Days come well recommended. Their car and tyres.

Could hire an instructor for half a day at an airfield venue and talk through what you want to do. Go two up with a mate to cut costs?

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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aka_kerrly said:
I've done the Castle Combe skid pan day and was left a little underwhelmed.

The skid pan area isn't that large and you don't get much time in the driving seat, you spend more time in the classroom and then getting passenger rides.

When you do get your go you get 2 maybe 3 laps of the figure of 8 course in a FWD then a RWD (Rover 214 an E30 316i) followed by a timed run of the figure of 8 course plus the opportunity to do a handbrake turn into a parking space.
Similar thoughts on Castle Combe but it was about 5 years ago.
I kind of took against the instructor who kept calling me a boy racer in the class room. Me, no points, no crashes, there to support the wife who'd recently spun the car off a roundabout and almost killed a bus queue.

It's all fun to understand the basics, but so slow that in a real fast slide none of it applies any more than book learning.