Young driver, which organisation is right for me?
Discussion
Hi All,
I am 24, male and have been driving since I was 17. I have had one accident which was fairly bad about a month after passing my test which really made me think carefully about my driving. Having been at colleges and university since then I have not had the money to spend on advanced driving courses, but do view youtube videos etc and try to improve my driving.
I am now looking at getting some advanced training and joining one of the organisations but am worried that I will choose the wrong one and be put off it. My dad has already tried the IAM in my area and was not impressed to say the least, seems the observers in this area (Norfolk at the moment) live up to the beardy stereotype. So IAM is completely off the table as I'm not keen to be with an observer such as this, and don't want to explain to my father why I have joined 'those beardy types..'
So, the type of driving I am keen to develop is safe higher performance driving, that is safe overtaking, safe road positioning and how to use roads to achieve maximum safe progress. As far as my driving goes at the moment, I always stay within the limits (given my speedometer over-reads by a few mph) but do overtake if I am behind someone slower than myself, and seem to already use several of the techniques noted on the RideDrive website for 'making' overtaking opportunities (bend exits, roundabouts etc). I also use fixed steering method up to perhaps 120 degrees of steering movement, so into 'crossed arms' territory, and will not really take kindly to a suggestion that it is safer to shoehorn pull-push into every movement of the wheel. I have tried it before and I have far less control of the attitude and smoothness of the car through the bends. I suspect my low speed, large steering input method leaves a lot to be desired, since it generally involves spinning the wheel with one hand, although I do use pull-push on occasion in this type of driving.
I like to try and obtain smoothness in my road driving, changing gear as smoothly as possible and braking as smoothly as possible to try and give the best ride to my passengers and myself. I rev match downshifts as a matter of course, but can't get the hang of heel and toe, can't seem to twist my foot enough. I'd like to also improve my track driving, as I've had instruction but the instructor wasn't the best, and I think there are lots of area's I could improve upon.
So, is there any club/organisation out there that caters for this desire for self improvement without sticking rigidly to prescribed rules.. and is more interested in safe driving? I have enquired about the HPC young drivers day in July, will be sending the cheque off soon unless I am told this is not the best organisation for me to try out..
In closing, this is the kind of driving I would like to learn how to approach safely, if conditions allow obviously:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpf7_U795rs
TL:DR - Young driver, likes spirited driving and track driving, but wants to do it safely, which organisation is right for me?
I am 24, male and have been driving since I was 17. I have had one accident which was fairly bad about a month after passing my test which really made me think carefully about my driving. Having been at colleges and university since then I have not had the money to spend on advanced driving courses, but do view youtube videos etc and try to improve my driving.
I am now looking at getting some advanced training and joining one of the organisations but am worried that I will choose the wrong one and be put off it. My dad has already tried the IAM in my area and was not impressed to say the least, seems the observers in this area (Norfolk at the moment) live up to the beardy stereotype. So IAM is completely off the table as I'm not keen to be with an observer such as this, and don't want to explain to my father why I have joined 'those beardy types..'
So, the type of driving I am keen to develop is safe higher performance driving, that is safe overtaking, safe road positioning and how to use roads to achieve maximum safe progress. As far as my driving goes at the moment, I always stay within the limits (given my speedometer over-reads by a few mph) but do overtake if I am behind someone slower than myself, and seem to already use several of the techniques noted on the RideDrive website for 'making' overtaking opportunities (bend exits, roundabouts etc). I also use fixed steering method up to perhaps 120 degrees of steering movement, so into 'crossed arms' territory, and will not really take kindly to a suggestion that it is safer to shoehorn pull-push into every movement of the wheel. I have tried it before and I have far less control of the attitude and smoothness of the car through the bends. I suspect my low speed, large steering input method leaves a lot to be desired, since it generally involves spinning the wheel with one hand, although I do use pull-push on occasion in this type of driving.
I like to try and obtain smoothness in my road driving, changing gear as smoothly as possible and braking as smoothly as possible to try and give the best ride to my passengers and myself. I rev match downshifts as a matter of course, but can't get the hang of heel and toe, can't seem to twist my foot enough. I'd like to also improve my track driving, as I've had instruction but the instructor wasn't the best, and I think there are lots of area's I could improve upon.
So, is there any club/organisation out there that caters for this desire for self improvement without sticking rigidly to prescribed rules.. and is more interested in safe driving? I have enquired about the HPC young drivers day in July, will be sending the cheque off soon unless I am told this is not the best organisation for me to try out..
In closing, this is the kind of driving I would like to learn how to approach safely, if conditions allow obviously:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpf7_U795rs
TL:DR - Young driver, likes spirited driving and track driving, but wants to do it safely, which organisation is right for me?
FiddleSticks said:
Hi All,
I am 24, male and have been driving since I was 17. I have had one accident which was fairly bad about a month after passing my test which really made me think carefully about my driving. Having been at colleges and university since then I have not had the money to spend on advanced driving courses, but do view youtube videos etc and try to improve my driving.
I am now looking at getting some advanced training and joining one of the organisations but am worried that I will choose the wrong one and be put off it. My dad has already tried the IAM in my area and was not impressed to say the least, seems the observers in this area (Norfolk at the moment) live up to the beardy stereotype. So IAM is completely off the table as I'm not keen to be with an observer such as this, and don't want to explain to my father why I have joined 'those beardy types..'
So, the type of driving I am keen to develop is safe higher performance driving, that is safe overtaking, safe road positioning and how to use roads to achieve maximum safe progress. As far as my driving goes at the moment, I always stay within the limits (given my speedometer over-reads by a few mph) but do overtake if I am behind someone slower than myself, and seem to already use several of the techniques noted on the RideDrive website for 'making' overtaking opportunities (bend exits, roundabouts etc). I also use fixed steering method up to perhaps 120 degrees of steering movement, so into 'crossed arms' territory, and will not really take kindly to a suggestion that it is safer to shoehorn pull-push into every movement of the wheel. I have tried it before and I have far less control of the attitude and smoothness of the car through the bends. I suspect my low speed, large steering input method leaves a lot to be desired, since it generally involves spinning the wheel with one hand, although I do use pull-push on occasion in this type of driving.
I like to try and obtain smoothness in my road driving, changing gear as smoothly as possible and braking as smoothly as possible to try and give the best ride to my passengers and myself. I rev match downshifts as a matter of course, but can't get the hang of heel and toe, can't seem to twist my foot enough. I'd like to also improve my track driving, as I've had instruction but the instructor wasn't the best, and I think there are lots of area's I could improve upon.
So, is there any club/organisation out there that caters for this desire for self improvement without sticking rigidly to prescribed rules.. and is more interested in safe driving? I have enquired about the HPC young drivers day in July, will be sending the cheque off soon unless I am told this is not the best organisation for me to try out..
In closing, this is the kind of driving I would like to learn how to approach safely, if conditions allow obviously:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpf7_U795rs
TL:DR - Young driver, likes spirited driving and track driving, but wants to do it safely, which organisation is right for me?
I would encourage you to attend the HPC YDD no matter - it's a good introduction and there will be lots of people there to help you decide on next steps (e.g. IAM, RoADA or HPC itself). HPC subsidises the event because it believes in helping younger drives have a positive first experience of advanced driving - just the sort of things you are looking for. HPC also now has a bursary and mentoring scheme for young drivers who show exceptional potential; nominations frequently come from meeting these younger drivers on the YDD.I am 24, male and have been driving since I was 17. I have had one accident which was fairly bad about a month after passing my test which really made me think carefully about my driving. Having been at colleges and university since then I have not had the money to spend on advanced driving courses, but do view youtube videos etc and try to improve my driving.
I am now looking at getting some advanced training and joining one of the organisations but am worried that I will choose the wrong one and be put off it. My dad has already tried the IAM in my area and was not impressed to say the least, seems the observers in this area (Norfolk at the moment) live up to the beardy stereotype. So IAM is completely off the table as I'm not keen to be with an observer such as this, and don't want to explain to my father why I have joined 'those beardy types..'
So, the type of driving I am keen to develop is safe higher performance driving, that is safe overtaking, safe road positioning and how to use roads to achieve maximum safe progress. As far as my driving goes at the moment, I always stay within the limits (given my speedometer over-reads by a few mph) but do overtake if I am behind someone slower than myself, and seem to already use several of the techniques noted on the RideDrive website for 'making' overtaking opportunities (bend exits, roundabouts etc). I also use fixed steering method up to perhaps 120 degrees of steering movement, so into 'crossed arms' territory, and will not really take kindly to a suggestion that it is safer to shoehorn pull-push into every movement of the wheel. I have tried it before and I have far less control of the attitude and smoothness of the car through the bends. I suspect my low speed, large steering input method leaves a lot to be desired, since it generally involves spinning the wheel with one hand, although I do use pull-push on occasion in this type of driving.
I like to try and obtain smoothness in my road driving, changing gear as smoothly as possible and braking as smoothly as possible to try and give the best ride to my passengers and myself. I rev match downshifts as a matter of course, but can't get the hang of heel and toe, can't seem to twist my foot enough. I'd like to also improve my track driving, as I've had instruction but the instructor wasn't the best, and I think there are lots of area's I could improve upon.
So, is there any club/organisation out there that caters for this desire for self improvement without sticking rigidly to prescribed rules.. and is more interested in safe driving? I have enquired about the HPC young drivers day in July, will be sending the cheque off soon unless I am told this is not the best organisation for me to try out..
In closing, this is the kind of driving I would like to learn how to approach safely, if conditions allow obviously:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpf7_U795rs
TL:DR - Young driver, likes spirited driving and track driving, but wants to do it safely, which organisation is right for me?
You can review the driving standards and ethos of HPC on its website www.hpc.org.uk.
PM me if you'd like more details.
Cheers
Can you get to Essex this Saturday? There's an ADUK driving day where there will be lots of people who can help, including members of the IAM, RoSPA and HPC.
Alternatively, if you're regularly in Oxford, I know a couple of people in the IAM group there that are of a more appropriate mindset.
Alternatively, if you're regularly in Oxford, I know a couple of people in the IAM group there that are of a more appropriate mindset.
7mike: Thanks, will have a look for him and have a word
stefan1: Will definitely attend then, sounds like a really good day out from the information I've just received and not too far from places I can stay in Oxford. I'll start my journey there I think and try and get some opinions on the other organisations available in person.
S.Gonzalez Esq: I'm stuck in Norfolk for the next few weeks so can't get there
Is it a regular occurrence or a once a year offering similar to HPC? I will be in the Oxford area far more regularly from August, but for now am mostly in Norfolk. Good to know there is a better group of people in Ox though, I may still give IAM a chance!
A.
stefan1: Will definitely attend then, sounds like a really good day out from the information I've just received and not too far from places I can stay in Oxford. I'll start my journey there I think and try and get some opinions on the other organisations available in person.
S.Gonzalez Esq: I'm stuck in Norfolk for the next few weeks so can't get there
Is it a regular occurrence or a once a year offering similar to HPC? I will be in the Oxford area far more regularly from August, but for now am mostly in Norfolk. Good to know there is a better group of people in Ox though, I may still give IAM a chance! A.
ADUK Driving Days happen whenever a forum member feels like putting in the time to organise one, so they're not on a regular schedule.
This year we've had days at Banbury, Andover, Shaftesbury, Brecon and the Scottish Borders. Coming up are Essex, Lincolnshire, Shaftesbury again and another South Wales one. There will be others too, but nothing's fixed yet.
Alternatively, there's a facility for members of the site to meet up and drive together informally. You might find someone there who'd be well placed to explain (and demonstrate) your options more fully.
Many of ADUK's younger members have attended the HPC YDD, and reports have ben universally positive. It's a real shame I'm so far outside the age range to attend, but who knows - I hope I might end up coaching there one day.
This year we've had days at Banbury, Andover, Shaftesbury, Brecon and the Scottish Borders. Coming up are Essex, Lincolnshire, Shaftesbury again and another South Wales one. There will be others too, but nothing's fixed yet.
Alternatively, there's a facility for members of the site to meet up and drive together informally. You might find someone there who'd be well placed to explain (and demonstrate) your options more fully.
Many of ADUK's younger members have attended the HPC YDD, and reports have ben universally positive. It's a real shame I'm so far outside the age range to attend, but who knows - I hope I might end up coaching there one day.
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