Beginner car control / driving technique days

[vrsmxtb]

I quite fancy doing some kind of intro to advanced driving / car control day for Christmas, has anyone got any recommendations?

Ideally not more than 1-2 hours from London, and want a mix of education and fun. Would be great to do some in my own car to get a feel for it, but also in something interesting / quick too.

I have checked out Don Palmer, RideDrive and Cadence courses so far.

[SVS]

Hiya, I've done numerous courses. I'm a big fan of the combined road+track or road+skid courses. Cadence and RideDrive offer these: both of whom I very highly recommend from personal experience.

The huge advantage of a combined course is that you learn vehicle handling on an airfield or skid pan, PLUS the on-road application. In addition, you get some road-specific skills on cornering, overtaking, etc. Brilliant fun!

[Synchromesh]

I hear a lot of good things about the Palmer days, but they are mighty expensive.

[R0G]

http://www.iam.org.uk/car_events_diary/2011iamtrac...

[Pontoneer]

Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands offer a range of driving experiences on their track in a range of different vehicles

[pthelazyjourno]

Pontoneer said:

Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands offer a range of driving experiences on their track in a range of different vehicles

It's OK, and good fun, but IMO you'd be better off on an airfield if you want to find out more about your car's limits.

MBW is quite restricted in terms of space - which is some of the appeal, admittedly, but a lot of the stuff is done on a skidpan with artificially slippery conditions.

It does a good job of mimicking real life, but it's still not the same as finding yourself in a situation in the dry, and losing traction at high speeds. Everything happens a lot quicker for a start!

As said, I had a lot of fun at Brooklands - and hats off to the drivers, they're pretty good.

Give CarLimits and Andy Walsh a go - he's an incredibly patient and talented chap. They're based in North Weald, off the A14.

Well worth the money, will be popping along for a few more days out there when I get my car back together.

[218g]

pthelazyjourno said:

Give CarLimits and Andy Walsh a go - he's an incredibly patient and talented chap. They're based in North Weald, off the A14.

Seconded. But it's off the M11, not the A14 .

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

CAT Driver Training based at Millbrook are very, very good. Colin Hoad is a very special insructor.

[tuned]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

CAT Driver Training based at Millbrook are very, very good. Colin Hoad is a very special insructor.

+1

I have spent time training with Colin at Millbrook/Bruntingthorpe and can thoroughly recommend him.

[Rossco2010]

CarLimits based up at North Weald do a so called "corporate day" for about £50 which gives you a full day on their circuits.

There's a very limited bit of feedback on the start line, but a very inexpensive way of getting to know your car better. But absolutely no substitute for a day with Don or Andy Walsh.

[Rossco2010]

[SVS]

Hi again. I found my day with Don was better suited to a non-beginner. I've been out with Don and he's amazing. However, I reckon you'd get much more out of him at a later stage, merely because he uses what can only describe as a "purist coaching" technique. IMO, I'd do more normal instruction first (Cadence, RideDrive, etc). Then go on to Don afterwards.

I know he posts here, so no doubt he'll be along in a moment to disagree
Don, I had an utterly brilliant day with you a while ago, so please don't take this the wrong way! I too have trained in coaching, incidentally

Plus, I can't help reiterating the huge advantage of combining road and track/skid training in one course ...

SVS said:

I'm a big fan of the combined road+track or road+skid courses. Cadence and RideDrive offer these: both of whom I very highly recommend from personal experience.

The huge advantage of a combined course is that you learn vehicle handling on an airfield or skid pan, PLUS the on-road application. In addition, you get some road-specific skills on cornering, overtaking, etc. Brilliant fun!