Car control course in NW?
Discussion
After getting my Z4 unintentionally sideways the first time I drove it in rain, and only being saved by the DSC, I'm not ashamed to face the reality that I'm a $hit RWD-jockey. So I reckon I need to do some sort of car control course like the Don Palmer one. Anyone know of one in Cheshire?
Windymiller said:
After getting my Z4 unintentionally sideways the first time I drove it in rain, and only being saved by the DSC, I'm not ashamed to face the reality that I'm a $hit RWD-jockey. So I reckon I need to do some sort of car control course like the Don Palmer one. Anyone know of one in Cheshire?
Where in Cheshire are you??Could try RideDrive, which is advertised on here.
I went to the Prodrive circuit in Kenilworth with www.driverdp.com. Was excellent day and great value for money. Not too far either.
I went to the Prodrive circuit in Kenilworth with www.driverdp.com. Was excellent day and great value for money. Not too far either.
The Three Sisters kart track (Wigan) used to have a 'skid car' and some space to fling it around in. I have no idea if it measures up to the Palmer course but they are local.
And you weren't the only one having 'brown' moments on sunday - I was up the 'Cat and Fiddle' in atrocious conditions and the PHers present were all having a 'much too interesting' time.
And you weren't the only one having 'brown' moments on sunday - I was up the 'Cat and Fiddle' in atrocious conditions and the PHers present were all having a 'much too interesting' time.
Oulton Park do drift days on a small low traction circuit. Don't worry, it's not full of crazy high powered Jap machines, people turn up in allsorts. You can plod around at 20mph having loads of tail out action and there's an instuctor on hand. I think these boys do it:
http://www.tracksport.co.uk
http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 25th September 11:20
planetdave said:
The Three Sisters kart track (Wigan) used to have a 'skid car' and some space to fling it around in. I have no idea if it measures up to the Palmer course but they are local.
They do the same course near Liverpool airport sometimes too, they use one of those hydraulic frame thingies. I found it useful for basics and good value, not as involved as I'd imagine the Palmer type things to be 
Good starting point though.benny.c said:
Oulton Park do drift days on a small low traction circuit. Don't worry, it's not full of crazy high powered Jap machines, people turn up in allsorts. You can plod around at 20mph having loads of tail out action and there's an instuctor on hand. I think these boys do it:
http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Hilarious fun and again useful... Instructors are great (get them to drive your car for a real eye opener) and doesn't really stress your car at all as the surface is so low grip (didn't notice any tyre wear at the end of the day). Next one is October 26th I think, you can book it through motorsport vision. Tempted to have another go at this as it's so much fun http://www.tracksport.co.uk
I'd be interested in a slightly more advanced course (preferably using your own car) if anyone knows of one in the area.
ETA: These are the people that do the skid control course - http://www.carcontrol.co.uk/skidMain.php
Edited by FlatPack on Tuesday 25th September 11:34
benny.c said:
Oulton Park do drift days on a small low traction circuit. Don't worry, it's not full of crazy high powered Jap machines, people turn up in allsorts. You can plod around at 20mph having loads of tail out action and there's an instuctor on hand. I think these boys do it:
http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Tracksport ceased trading 12 months ago!!http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 25th September 11:20
Windymiller said:
Warrington (*cough*Widnes*cough*) area...
I work for a company based up at Elvington near York www.driverskills.com Have a look at their website, and maybe PM me and I'll tell you more, Howardginettajoe said:
benny.c said:
Oulton Park do drift days on a small low traction circuit. Don't worry, it's not full of crazy high powered Jap machines, people turn up in allsorts. You can plod around at 20mph having loads of tail out action and there's an instuctor on hand. I think these boys do it:
http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Tracksport ceased trading 12 months ago!!http://www.tracksport.co.uk
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 25th September 11:20
Tracksport might be no more, but MSV now run the drift days at Oulton Park
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/trackdays/event-...
The one I did earlier this year was a MSV day too
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/trackdays/event-...
The one I did earlier this year was a MSV day too
Windy, have you thought about doing a proper advanced driving course, as opposed to a skid day?
There is actually a ladder of learning when it comes to advanced driving, which goes something like:
skid training/circuit training - entry level
iam/rospa training - as far as you want to go
advanced roadcraft training - from people like this: http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/index.htm
high performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
All above good skills and experiences.
I've done the skid training with Malcolm @ car control, and it was indeed a great laugh, and very enlightening:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/skid%20trainin...
and I've done my I.A.M course, which again was great fun! and also taught me how to drive with a lot better anticipation of other road users. I'll be looking to do a ridedrive course in the near future as well, as that's my next step.
There is actually a ladder of learning when it comes to advanced driving, which goes something like:
skid training/circuit training - entry level
iam/rospa training - as far as you want to go
advanced roadcraft training - from people like this: http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/index.htm
high performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
All above good skills and experiences.
I've done the skid training with Malcolm @ car control, and it was indeed a great laugh, and very enlightening:
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/skid%20trainin...
and I've done my I.A.M course, which again was great fun!
and also taught me how to drive with a lot better anticipation of other road users. I'll be looking to do a ridedrive course in the near future as well, as that's my next step. cw42 said:
skid training/circuit training - entry level
iam/rospa training - as far as you want to go
advanced roadcraft training - from people like this: http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/index.htm
high performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
That's very useful info. I've been wondering myself what to do next to improve my driving. Piloting a lightish turbo charged RWD car with 350bhp certainly gets interesting on wet roads with only a LSD to help!!iam/rospa training - as far as you want to go
advanced roadcraft training - from people like this: http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/index.htm
high performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
I did some IAM training about 12 years ago, and although I thought it was excellent in theory and the observation elements, I felt their views where not great on the actual car control itself, being very old and outdated, and not suited to modern cars.
I have done a few trackdays this year, Castle Coombe, Silverstone, Elvington etc and will be doing Donnington, Cadwell and Oulton very shortly, but I'd love to know what to try next as a good value course, I am considering the MSV advanced track driving course at Snetterton for £399.
I'd be up for joining a day and would also value other peoples input for what they think are good options.
Scott.
Just to add a note of caution for thsoe thinking of Oulton Park drift day. I am also in the 200sx owners club, which is mainly track orientated drviers, but there are a few drifters as well. A lot of people have gone to the first few Oulton Drift days, and it is true that due to a slippy surface there is minimal wear to your car.
However, this is actually the rally training stage, and should you go wrong there are a number of large holes to do your car damage, and there is a huge abundance of mud that gets everywhere. Be prepared to have to power wash every nook and cranny under your car. Several friends who have done it found it beneficial to overall car control and huge fun, but spent months after finding mud in areas of their car they never knew it could find LOL!!
Scottie - NW said:
However, this is actually the rally training stage, and should you go wrong there are a number of large holes to do your car damage, and there is a huge abundance of mud that gets everywhere. Be prepared to have to power wash every nook and cranny under your car. Several friends who have done it found it beneficial to overall car control and huge fun, but spent months after finding mud in areas of their car they never knew it could find LOL!!
That's true, my car came back looking like this (mainly the result of a single off too).
There are holes and the edge of the track is above the level of the ground in some places, but nobody I talked to had damaged their car when I did it... Including a Westfield and several Elises. It is a risk though if you go seriously off roading
cw42 said:
advanced roadcraft training - from people like this: http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/index.htm
high performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
i found the two, in essance, the same, one being more relaxed as i wasn't being examined (my nerves as i've wanted to pass since before i could drive), knowledge of the system of car control an obvious advantagehigh performance training - from people like this: http://www.hpc.org.uk/
FlatPack said:
planetdave said:
The Three Sisters kart track (Wigan) used to have a 'skid car' and some space to fling it around in. I have no idea if it measures up to the Palmer course but they are local.
They do the same course near Liverpool airport sometimes too, they use one of those hydraulic frame thingies. I found it useful for basics and good value, not as involved as I'd imagine the Palmer type things to be Good starting point though.ETA: These are the people that do the skid control course - http://www.carcontrol.co.uk/skidMain.php
Edited by FlatPack on Tuesday 25th September 11:34
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