TIL what you drive matters less than how you drive it...
Discussion
As some of you might remember, I've documented a few of my little adventures with Reg Local, and my RoSPA journey, before. If they don't interest you coming from a relative novice then that's absolutely fine by me, but for those who might be thinking of starting out, or looking for somewhere to try next after their RoSPA/IAM, read on...
I was lucky to have another fantastic day out with our own Reg Local today. Well, half day (four hours) really but that's more than enough for me as it lets me walk away bouncing and fulfilled rather than drained and fatigued. As it happens, I've spent nearly a year mildly complaining about the boaty suspension on my 2016 MY Skoda Superb (2.0 TSI 220ps DSG) and the slightly detached and numb feel of the steering and pedals. It's made somewhat worse by the occasionally laggy 6 speed wet clutch DSG, generally good as it is. It really spoils the drive, says I.
Today, after an hour or so driving through Yorkshire's finest twisty Dales and on towards the Lake District, I asked Reg if he'd please swap seats and "see for yourself what I mean". With a family of five including two babies, our one-car household (for now) is by necessity something of a compromise. The Superb is a decent enough car at the price; massively spacious inside, comfortable enough, relatively economical for a 2.0 turbo petrol (mid 30s to a tank, 40-odd mpg on a motorway run) and the 2.0 TSI gives it enough poke to be a bit of fun. It has no flashy badges, and looks just like any other family bus / taxi car / rep mobile in a sea of others just like it, belying its ability to leave most stuff standing at the lights (or behind a cheeky overtake) when the mood and opportunity strikes. I quite like that low key nature in a car, tbh. It just lacks ability and control on the tight and twisty back roads, with its almost 5 metre length (albeit only 1,450KG bulk) and floaty suspension.
Well, that's what I told Reg, anyway... Me and my big mouth.
After a quick seat swap next to a field of aromatic sheep there followed a few miles of driving that was very smooth and 'progressive' indeed, across some eye-wateringly tight and winding roads. Reg is very much a master of sheer automotive elegance at work, it has to be said - and I'm not just browning my nose, either. He'd taken about five seconds to settle in, moving the seat forward and dropping the mirror (short arse
). No sooner had he knocked the DSG into manual mode he'd pulled up the old girl's skirts and oof... Not a hint of body roll or lean, exactly the correct gear at exactly the right time (much earlier than I, which turned out to be 'the secret') and by God did the scenery pass us by. The road jinked hither and thither but the car just floated along, me barely flinching in my seat (mostly due to being perpetually pressed back into it), and Reg looked for all the world like he was watching Sunday cricket in his underpants with a pint of beer in his hand. Cool as a cucumber. After a few more minutes, Reg pulled over and said 'Nice gearbox, that'.
I still looked a bit like this, tbh:
Mostly though, I was feeling a bit foolish and - what's the word? - humbled. I think I managed an 'Oh...' when he turned off the engine and turned to look at me. There followed an excellent explanation of how to drive any car properly, and how to tweak your drive to suit its flaws and limitations to get the best out of what you have to work with. Suffice to say my eyes were opened, not just to the mechanics of finer car control but also to my own driving psychology. Even earlier, even lighter, even slighter inputs, let the car do the work, carry your speed...
I'd always had a little thought in the back of my mind that I 'needed' a smaller, shorter wheelbase car with a more playful chassis and more direct mechanical controls to really be able to wind out the backroads and enjoy myself. To a degree I think I'm right. I doubt anyone would argue that you can have as much fun (or at least interaction) with a 2.5 tonne 1.2 diesel MPV with electrically assisted 'everything' as you could in a manual 1990s Porche, for example. A skilled driver might be able to get as much competence out of it A to B, but that's not the same as actual enjoyment and engagement, right?
Thing is though, it turns out in my case I had somewhat confused competence with engagement, and really I just needed to be a better driver. I said as much to Reg ("Oh it's me, not the car", I think it was, in fact). Not to say I was entirely crap before today, or that I thought I was God's gift either. But a few hours with Reg is never wasted, and today was probably my best session of all so far. Suffice to say I didn't complain about the car after that
but I learnt a lot more about my own limitations and where I can improve my drive. Funny how they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Reg's coaching might be top level, but a demo drive in your own motor really does colour in the picture. My drive improved a fair bit after that (I hope that isn't just ego speaking), as actually seeing what Reg was trying to explain to me really did help it click. I was setting up even earlier (and thinking faster, and even further ahead again!) and thus paradoxically able to carry more smoothness - and therefore speed - than I had before. I was soon in the flow, the car was suddenly really 'behaving itself' for the first time, and we had a bloody good time after that. Well, I did anyway. 
With a firmer foundation in place it was easier to take in what he was telling me, and I had a better base skill set to analyse and adapt my driving on the fly without weeks of practice. It was nice to feel I'd come along since those early days of "Brakes now... brake... No, BRAKE!!" when he was first teaching me how to approach a hazard.
Another hard day's work (seven hours all in, 'commute' to and from Reg being counted), but this time real progress, in my eyes. It's really opened my eyes to how I can improve next, what I could potentially achieve in the future, and more importantly how many long years of coaching I have to go before I start to achieve it. The journey itself is half the fun, though, and nobody is ever perfect.
I started out with Reg as a wet behind the ears pre-RoSPA novice who thought he was a decent enough driver (hahaha!). A while (two years is it, Reg?) of fastidious training later I'm a RoSPA Gold, and a RoADAR tutor. Instead of going home feeling like a complete learner and a bit of a failure after a drive*, I am instead able to self-reflect with Reg as my co-driver, and walk away feeling even better about myself than before. Albeit with a customary slice of humble pie for the journey yet to come before I reach anything like the standard I wish to be... Reg I couldn't have come this far without you, and I hope you don't get sick of seeing me for at least a few more years yet. I have a lot to learn from you, and I'm hungry to learn it! Anyone who thinks they have an interest in driving would be doing themselves a massive favour by booking a few hours with someone like Reg. You can't know what you don't know... It's my ongoing mission to drive next to as many people as possible, and learn everything I can to improve my own abilities and enjoyment. Why not make it yours? It's a bit pointless (imho) to be 'into' cars and lose out on the real ability to enjoy them properly. No matter what you think you are capable of, I promise you there's a lot more of the iceberg below the surface!
So, thanks very much again Reg, and here's to the next one!
I was lucky to have another fantastic day out with our own Reg Local today. Well, half day (four hours) really but that's more than enough for me as it lets me walk away bouncing and fulfilled rather than drained and fatigued. As it happens, I've spent nearly a year mildly complaining about the boaty suspension on my 2016 MY Skoda Superb (2.0 TSI 220ps DSG) and the slightly detached and numb feel of the steering and pedals. It's made somewhat worse by the occasionally laggy 6 speed wet clutch DSG, generally good as it is. It really spoils the drive, says I.
Today, after an hour or so driving through Yorkshire's finest twisty Dales and on towards the Lake District, I asked Reg if he'd please swap seats and "see for yourself what I mean". With a family of five including two babies, our one-car household (for now) is by necessity something of a compromise. The Superb is a decent enough car at the price; massively spacious inside, comfortable enough, relatively economical for a 2.0 turbo petrol (mid 30s to a tank, 40-odd mpg on a motorway run) and the 2.0 TSI gives it enough poke to be a bit of fun. It has no flashy badges, and looks just like any other family bus / taxi car / rep mobile in a sea of others just like it, belying its ability to leave most stuff standing at the lights (or behind a cheeky overtake) when the mood and opportunity strikes. I quite like that low key nature in a car, tbh. It just lacks ability and control on the tight and twisty back roads, with its almost 5 metre length (albeit only 1,450KG bulk) and floaty suspension.
Well, that's what I told Reg, anyway... Me and my big mouth.
After a quick seat swap next to a field of aromatic sheep there followed a few miles of driving that was very smooth and 'progressive' indeed, across some eye-wateringly tight and winding roads. Reg is very much a master of sheer automotive elegance at work, it has to be said - and I'm not just browning my nose, either. He'd taken about five seconds to settle in, moving the seat forward and dropping the mirror (short arse
). No sooner had he knocked the DSG into manual mode he'd pulled up the old girl's skirts and oof... Not a hint of body roll or lean, exactly the correct gear at exactly the right time (much earlier than I, which turned out to be 'the secret') and by God did the scenery pass us by. The road jinked hither and thither but the car just floated along, me barely flinching in my seat (mostly due to being perpetually pressed back into it), and Reg looked for all the world like he was watching Sunday cricket in his underpants with a pint of beer in his hand. Cool as a cucumber. After a few more minutes, Reg pulled over and said 'Nice gearbox, that'. I still looked a bit like this, tbh:
Mostly though, I was feeling a bit foolish and - what's the word? - humbled. I think I managed an 'Oh...' when he turned off the engine and turned to look at me. There followed an excellent explanation of how to drive any car properly, and how to tweak your drive to suit its flaws and limitations to get the best out of what you have to work with. Suffice to say my eyes were opened, not just to the mechanics of finer car control but also to my own driving psychology. Even earlier, even lighter, even slighter inputs, let the car do the work, carry your speed...
I'd always had a little thought in the back of my mind that I 'needed' a smaller, shorter wheelbase car with a more playful chassis and more direct mechanical controls to really be able to wind out the backroads and enjoy myself. To a degree I think I'm right. I doubt anyone would argue that you can have as much fun (or at least interaction) with a 2.5 tonne 1.2 diesel MPV with electrically assisted 'everything' as you could in a manual 1990s Porche, for example. A skilled driver might be able to get as much competence out of it A to B, but that's not the same as actual enjoyment and engagement, right?
Thing is though, it turns out in my case I had somewhat confused competence with engagement, and really I just needed to be a better driver. I said as much to Reg ("Oh it's me, not the car", I think it was, in fact). Not to say I was entirely crap before today, or that I thought I was God's gift either. But a few hours with Reg is never wasted, and today was probably my best session of all so far. Suffice to say I didn't complain about the car after that
but I learnt a lot more about my own limitations and where I can improve my drive. Funny how they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Reg's coaching might be top level, but a demo drive in your own motor really does colour in the picture. My drive improved a fair bit after that (I hope that isn't just ego speaking), as actually seeing what Reg was trying to explain to me really did help it click. I was setting up even earlier (and thinking faster, and even further ahead again!) and thus paradoxically able to carry more smoothness - and therefore speed - than I had before. I was soon in the flow, the car was suddenly really 'behaving itself' for the first time, and we had a bloody good time after that. Well, I did anyway. With a firmer foundation in place it was easier to take in what he was telling me, and I had a better base skill set to analyse and adapt my driving on the fly without weeks of practice. It was nice to feel I'd come along since those early days of "Brakes now... brake... No, BRAKE!!" when he was first teaching me how to approach a hazard.
Another hard day's work (seven hours all in, 'commute' to and from Reg being counted), but this time real progress, in my eyes. It's really opened my eyes to how I can improve next, what I could potentially achieve in the future, and more importantly how many long years of coaching I have to go before I start to achieve it. The journey itself is half the fun, though, and nobody is ever perfect.I started out with Reg as a wet behind the ears pre-RoSPA novice who thought he was a decent enough driver (hahaha!). A while (two years is it, Reg?) of fastidious training later I'm a RoSPA Gold, and a RoADAR tutor. Instead of going home feeling like a complete learner and a bit of a failure after a drive*, I am instead able to self-reflect with Reg as my co-driver, and walk away feeling even better about myself than before. Albeit with a customary slice of humble pie for the journey yet to come before I reach anything like the standard I wish to be... Reg I couldn't have come this far without you, and I hope you don't get sick of seeing me for at least a few more years yet. I have a lot to learn from you, and I'm hungry to learn it! Anyone who thinks they have an interest in driving would be doing themselves a massive favour by booking a few hours with someone like Reg. You can't know what you don't know... It's my ongoing mission to drive next to as many people as possible, and learn everything I can to improve my own abilities and enjoyment. Why not make it yours? It's a bit pointless (imho) to be 'into' cars and lose out on the real ability to enjoy them properly. No matter what you think you are capable of, I promise you there's a lot more of the iceberg below the surface!
So, thanks very much again Reg, and here's to the next one!
- Nb: Reg has never demoralised or belittled me, far from it. I always enjoyed our sessions even when starting out. I just seem to enjoy beating myself up and magnifying flaws and faults with a relentless desire to crush them. I'm always pushing for perfection in everything I do, so I suppose it's fair to say I'm a bit OCD like that. I'll happily find a flaw and spend months on end working on that one little thing, until I'm satisfied I've ironed it out 'enough' to work on the next one.... Tedious to some, perhaps, but it's not done me any harm.
i have had the opportunity to drive with some very accomplished professional drivers and there is no question that it is absolutely about the driver.
People will ask sometimes about how fast one's car is. I generally say it has no speed at all, but when it moves the speed is a function of the driver. It always impresses me how little a great driver moves, and how few the corrections are. I am not a bad driver ,but I am not within a mile of these people. It is humbling and inspiring, but most of all, instructive.
People will ask sometimes about how fast one's car is. I generally say it has no speed at all, but when it moves the speed is a function of the driver. It always impresses me how little a great driver moves, and how few the corrections are. I am not a bad driver ,but I am not within a mile of these people. It is humbling and inspiring, but most of all, instructive.
PS: A special herp derp award to the yokel in the Vauxhall Mokka (had to be, didn't it?). A steady 35-40mph through miles of twisting B road with terrible sight lines, with me patiently waiting to overtake. That's all fair enough. Finally after some miles the opportunity presents, and I move out for a look, confirm it's on, and start to accelerate.
Mr Fast Asleep suddenly becomes Mr Oh No You f
king Don't and literally swerves sharply at us as we're alongside, coming fully halfway offside into 'our lane' towards us. A swerve to the right and an emergency stop, complete with a short blast of the horn, before gathering my wits and flooring it past him while I had the chance... He disappeared into the distance behind us PDQ after that, but after slowing to 30 for the next village (quite a few miles later) he soon caught us up to give us his opinions. Well, hand gestures mostly. Maybe he was deaf? He must have been really giving it some welly to make up the differential. Isn't it weird how people can spend so long going so slowly, but as soon as they hit urban roads they become rockets?
Twunt.
Mr Fast Asleep suddenly becomes Mr Oh No You f
king Don't and literally swerves sharply at us as we're alongside, coming fully halfway offside into 'our lane' towards us. A swerve to the right and an emergency stop, complete with a short blast of the horn, before gathering my wits and flooring it past him while I had the chance... He disappeared into the distance behind us PDQ after that, but after slowing to 30 for the next village (quite a few miles later) he soon caught us up to give us his opinions. Well, hand gestures mostly. Maybe he was deaf? He must have been really giving it some welly to make up the differential. Isn't it weird how people can spend so long going so slowly, but as soon as they hit urban roads they become rockets? Twunt.
RDMcG said:
i have had the opportunity to drive with some very accomplished professional drivers and there is no question that it is absolutely about the driver.
People will ask sometimes about how fast one's car is. I generally say it has no speed at all, but when it moves the speed is a function of the driver. It always impresses me how little a great driver moves, and how few the corrections are. I am not a bad driver ,but I am not within a mile of these people. It is humbling and inspiring, but most of all, instructive.
Quite so! More than that it's invigorating and refreshing to spend a few hours in such likeminded company, especially when the ability to learn new tricks coincides. It certainly beats the weekly rat run to the supermarket through congested 20mph city streets!People will ask sometimes about how fast one's car is. I generally say it has no speed at all, but when it moves the speed is a function of the driver. It always impresses me how little a great driver moves, and how few the corrections are. I am not a bad driver ,but I am not within a mile of these people. It is humbling and inspiring, but most of all, instructive.
rainmakerraw said:
I doubt anyone would argue that you can have as much fun (or at least interaction) with a 2.5 tonne 1.2 diesel MPV with electrically assisted 'everything' as you could in a manual 1990s Porche, for example. A skilled driver might be able to get as much competence out of it A to B, but that's not the same as actual enjoyment and engagement, right?
I pretty much have that very example... I can drive the Grand Picasso in a way that is enjoyable, but it's very much a satisfaction at getting the mass to behave itself and not letting the revs drop too low. I may give reg a shout in summer when my time is a bit more free and see if I can have a lesson in getting the best out of it... and when I get the Subaru I actually want, I'll do the same again...wst said:
pretty much have that very example... I can drive the Grand Picasso in a way that is enjoyable, but it's very much a satisfaction at getting the mass to behave itself and not letting the revs drop too low. I may give reg a shout in summer when my time is a bit more free and see if I can have a lesson in getting the best out of it... and when I get the Subaru I actually want, I'll do the same again...
Exactly what I meant, yes! That's a perfect illustration. There is definitely a satisfaction to gain in driving anything as well as possible (even a woefully underpowered Luton van), but 'real' engagement and enjoyment is something else imho. Connection, feel, feedback... Whether from a 140ps Mazda 6 or a 510ps Jaguar XFR. You'll definitely have a good day with Reg, I can't recommend him highly enough!
There was a great video on-line taken from a VIP convoy driver's eye-view (lead vehicle or main vehicle) driving through congested London. With the aid of several motorcycle out-riders who stopped traffic at junctions and roundabouts ahead, then getting back with the group and then going ahead again. It was amazing to watch, as the VIP car kept a steady speed throughout, it could only have been the Queen or PM on-board. Sadly we don't have the benefit of out-riders!
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