Don Palmer car control course

[DocSteve]

I've just booked to go on one of these sessions next week at Bruntingthorpe. Anyone done one recently and would like to share any feedback, tips or comments?

Thanks
Steve

[ScoobyChris]

Ask lots of questions to get the most out of Don's coaching style

Chris

[Toltec]

Be prepared to buy a new set of tyres...

[7db]

Have a great day. Give it death.

[AndyBrew]

I did this a few years ago in my brand new evo VIII full set of tyres down to the wire in three hours, great fun!

Doing the old tugging the steering wheel at 80mph and then taking the hands off the wheel was an experience

[brisel]

I'm doing this on 17th December. What time do they finish? I'm going to need a new set of tyres in order to be legal for the drive home as I've only got 2.5mm left now...

[terry tibbs]

brisel said:

I'm doing this on 17th December. What time do they finish? I'm going to need a new set of tyres in order to be legal for the drive home as I've only got 2.5mm left now...

less tread, less heat build up, less damage, when i did it the tyres were new and they got absolutely f***ed, had i known i would not have changed them.

[brisel]

Meant to add that I wasn't getting new shoes before the day & will get some fitted on site at the end.

OP - Steve - Have you done the course yet? If so, any comments or advice please?

[7db]

A bit of a warm-up for you:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmX-wzKsKu4

[MC Bodge]

AndyBrew said:

Doing the old tugging the steering wheel at 80mph and then taking the hands off the wheel was an experience

To what end? To demonstrate that the car (like a bike) will correct itself -to a degree- without intervention?

[DocSteve]

brisel said:

Meant to add that I wasn't getting new shoes before the day & will get some fitted on site at the end.

OP - Steve - Have you done the course yet? If so, any comments or advice please?

Did it yesterday - was a great day and definitely worth it. Got me thinking about car control in a more technical way. He also likes to use other coaching methods, even a spot of hypnosis on the track (stationary at the time..). Keep an open mind on that as it's not as wacky as it sounds.

I nearly didn't make it as had a puncture over the weekend and couldn't source any tyres. However I found some dodgy used Contis off ebay that proved to be quite useful as they made the car pretty tail happy. This was quite instructive as it became clear that small modifications to technique can make all the difference between understeering, oversteering controllably and spinning out wildly. Expect to significantly wear your tyres but there's no need to absolutely smoke them unless you want to (best if they're part worn rather than nearly new).

I'm keen to go back and do some more!

Steve

[DocSteve]

MC Bodge said:

To what end? To demonstrate that the car (like a bike) will correct itself -to a degree- without intervention?

That's it!

[7db]

Often quicker and more accurately (ie without over correction) than a driver will.

[brisel]

Presumably without throttle or braking inputs? I guess I'll find out next week.

Will future ESP traction control systems have "a dab of oppo" built in??

Kwik Fit are booked to come & fit some new rubber to may car at the end of the course, if we can find a suitable place on the site to fit them.

[7db]

You may need to check they have permission to come onto the site with security to save a problem.

[MC Bodge]

7db said:

Often quicker and more accurately (ie without over correction) than a driver will.

Aye. We've all done it (over-correction ...and CRUNCH!)

There's something to be said for using a light touch, rather than death grip, on the controls.

The course sounds like a great experience. Maybe I should invest in a powerful rwd hack car and a set of sacrificial tyres?

[brisel]

Good thing there was only 2mm left to start with & I had a new set fitted at the end of the day before driving home...

It was an excellent day & I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone else who wants to find their limits.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Steve!

[7db]

Proper job! (as your name suggest you might understand)