Advanced/performance driving tuition Sussex

Advanced/performance driving tuition Sussex

Author
Discussion

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
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Several years ago I spent an excellent day on a Ride Drive course focusing on advanced road techniques and also some time on a “track” where I had the opportunity to do laps as well as some limit handling stuff.

They sadly don’t exist anymore but I’m looking to do something as similar as possible if anyone can recommend a place or instructor?
I’m in Brighton but can travel through Sussex or Surrey if needed.

I suspect a day with a good advanced driver or ex police would be perfect but I haven’t found anything locally.

If anyone has any recommendations that would be great!

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
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Thanks! That looks right up my street will drop them a line and see if they travel smile

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,558 posts

219 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
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Always a good decision to get more training. As far as I'm aware though, you'd need to travel to either Banbury or Bridgend.

Also, if you've not done much post-test training previously you may get better value from the course by completing an IAM or RoSPA qualification first.

akirk

5,618 posts

121 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
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FLGirl said:
Thanks! That looks right up my street will drop them a line and see if they travel smile
I think you have to travel to them, but they are so good that it is worth an overnight in eg a premier inn etc - transformational for your driving and lots of fun...

dvenman

225 posts

122 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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Adding to akirk and Speedy's comments but a friend of mine who'd had a bingle and needed confidence boosting went to Banbury and learned loads plus got her mojo back.

kiethton

14,071 posts

187 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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Another recommending the high performance course - either course manger - Andy (Banbury/Cotswold's) or Clive (Wales) are brilliant and well worth the trip - I traveled and am not too far from you I don't think

On that I need to book myself in for a half-day refresher....

AJB88

13,411 posts

178 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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Anybody know the rought price of this? interested myself.

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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Thanks all. Sounds like a worthwhile investment!

Other than Ride Drive and a recent drift day I haven’t done more formal training although I spent a lot of time with an advanced driver going for runs and being coached, albeit for fun and practice than being official “training”.

Like most on here, driving is my passion and I’m always interested in learning and improving. I’ll definitely consider the IAM too but was initially looking for a day or two to focus on overall improvements and some specifics.

Thanks for all the input, I will drop HPC a line thumbup

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
Always a good decision to get more training. As far as I'm aware though, you'd need to travel to either Banbury or Bridgend.

Also, if you've not done much post-test training previously you may get better value from the course by completing an IAM or RoSPA qualification first.
Just to add, I dropped my local IAM a line to arrange a taster with a view to doing the course as that also seems like a very good idea! Thanks for sparking the thought.

S. Gonzales Esq.

2,558 posts

219 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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Good choice - the mainstream organisations do a great job. Because they're volunteer-run there's a small risk that you'll be assigned an observer / tutor you don't get on with, but if that happens just stick with it and ask for different one.

Pretty much all post-test training in the UK is based on Roadcraft, the Police driver training manual. Becoming familiar with it through an IAM or RoSPA course will mean you can then do higher-level courses without wasting your time on the basics.

There's lots of advice and support available for the asking on this forum and the wider web too, including Reg Local's YouTube channel.


FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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S. Gonzales Esq. said:
Good choice - the mainstream organisations do a great job. Because they're volunteer-run there's a small risk that you'll be assigned an observer / tutor you don't get on with, but if that happens just stick with it and ask for different one.

Pretty much all post-test training in the UK is based on Roadcraft, the Police driver training manual. Becoming familiar with it through an IAM or RoSPA course will mean you can then do higher-level courses without wasting your time on the basics.

There's lots of advice and support available for the asking on this forum and the wider web too, including Reg Local's YouTube channel.
They’ve just got back to me and I’m booked in for a taster smile

I have Roadcraft and have just started going through Reg’s videos!

I’ve been fortunate to spend quite a lot of time with an advanced driver but see no harm in going over it all again and I’m sure there is plenty I’ve forgotten! Learning is perpetual and I’m looking forward to the next steps.

I’ll contact HPC after the taster and keep this updated if it’s of any interest.

akirk

5,618 posts

121 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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FLGirl said:
...and keep this updated if it’s of any interest.
do - especially as you seem to be taking a broad brush to seeing what is available - it will be esp. interesting to see your thoughts on where you find nuggets of interest / things that change you / etc.

Enut

836 posts

80 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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I'm interested in your feedback too.

I was taught by my father 30 years ago and he was a class 1 police driver. I have looked at a few of Reg Local's videos and it doesn't seem to have changed much from what I was taught all those years ago. I am sure I have a few bad habits but was reassured about how much stuff I already knew and practiced without even thinking about it.

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
thumbup

Well the IAM taster is 17 November so I’ll post my thoughts once I’ve been.

I’m also curious about what there is to learn compared to what I’ve no doubt forgotten! biggrin

Ryan-nunm9

207 posts

78 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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Enut said:
I'm interested in your feedback too.

I was taught by my father 30 years ago and he was a class 1 police driver. I have looked at a few of Reg Local's videos and it doesn't seem to have changed much from what I was taught all those years ago. I am sure I have a few bad habits but was reassured about how much stuff I already knew and practiced without even thinking about it.
The system of vehicle control (roadcraft) hasn't changed much for years. That's not to say Roadcfraft 100% relates to "performance" driving.

I know Andy in Banbury, done my Advanced bike course with him years ago. He drives (and used to ride, doesn't so much anymore I'm told) like greased weasel s**t of a shovel. If you want to learn to drive well, he's your man!!

Enut

836 posts

80 months

Friday 25th October 2019
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fesuvious said:
I was asked to explain what Andy is like behind the wheel.

My description was

'Smoother than warm honey'
I was once a passenger in a car whilst my father was driving (off duty), he spotted a car he was 'interested in' going the other way and what followed was a short spell of 'pursuit driving' to catch up with it, at no stage was I the slightest bit concerned about how fast we were going or the overtakes he was making, everything was very controlled, calm and safe despite being very swift. That's probably the mantra of fast road driving.

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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Update as promised!

I met my local observer (John) and we spent some time talking through how IAM works, its aims and objectives and what I could expect to get out of the course if I decided to join.

I liked the fact he asked about my interests, what I wanted to focus on, my passion for driving and my obvious interest in performance cars!

Then of course we went for a drive, which lasted around 40 minutes or so. During this time, John mentioned a few techniques and observations. Some of these I queried, and he was happy to explain why the IAM prescribed these things and was open to feedback.

I chatted about cornering, and he was happy to alter the planned route so we could take in some twisty roads and give me an overview of the system and answer my questions.

Once back, he of course shared his feedback (which was actually very flattering biggrin ) but obviously included some tweaks for improvement.

He also mentioned they hold track days at Thruxton where you go round with an advanced driver, which obviously peaked my interest a lot!

The end of the story is that I was really impressed, I enjoyed the observed drive and getting useful feedback, and have joined up to take the full IAM course smile

I appreciate it's observer dependant, but I didn't find the approach overly prescriptive, I found it very relaxed and of course useful. I really liked John's approach and his attitude. I have read some comments about it feeling 'fuddy duddy', but that certainly wasn't my experience. Although it echoes my own driving style, I like the planning ahead/making progress approach, and honing and improving this will absolutely make me a better driver.

Overall, whilst no one is perfect I'm certainly not far from where I want to be, but I absolutely believe I can get lots of useful techniques and improvements by doing the course. I'm open minded about learning as much as possible and should be starting quite soon.

Very happy to continue to share thoughts as I progress, though I expect most on here will know what it entails and what to expect.

Once I pass the IAM, and having done more research, I am really interested in a course with Don Palmer, so onwards and upwards!


IcedKiwi

91 posts

122 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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Assuming, you're still Brighton based according to your profile, interested to hear which IAM group you signed up with?

FLGirl

Original Poster:

1,177 posts

198 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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IcedKiwi said:
Assuming, you're still Brighton based according to your profile, interested to hear which IAM group you signed up with?
I am! On the IAM website it’s the Central Southern group.