Ride Drive - 1 day or 2 half days?
Discussion
I recently had my first half day and am planning to take the second half next month, about six weeks apart. It's giving me time to practice some of the skills/advice given so that I will spend less time in the second session concentrating on 'the basics' as they're slowly but surely becoming good 'habits'.
Had my first half day Saturday... excellent stuff. I must say that my concentration was going by the end - as well as my arms aching. Glad I only done 1/2 days. It's a real challenge trying to change what you've been doing for the last 20 years, with my single biggest issue being pull-push steering. So I wanted to know who has stuck with it - the steering that is?
Sort of... I only use pull-push for manoeuvring. On the open road except for the tightest bends you probably won't need to pull-push and IME trying it tends to lead to over-steering. On tighter bends than I tend to take my hand beyond 12 o'clock and use a single pull to get the steering I need.
But at the end of the day, you aren't going for a particular advanced test, so I'd use whichever steering method works for you.
But at the end of the day, you aren't going for a particular advanced test, so I'd use whichever steering method works for you.
thegreengoblet said:
...It's a real challenge trying to change what you've been doing for the last 20 years, with my single biggest issue being pull-push steering. So I wanted to know who has stuck with it - the steering that is?
As long as there is no compromise of control or safety I would go with whatever works for you. As a professional I would never seek to change a habit for it's own sake. No problem with introducing alternative techniques that allow the customer to make up their own mind and making them aware that anything new will initially feel 'wrong'.If your steering control has not been compromised for 20 years in all situations (think back hard now)then your current system is probably okay. If you deliberately change your style there is no problem with that either but be aware that in stressed situations (not that there should be any) you would be likely to return to your original style of action.
The automatic returning to original learning in stressed situations is one reason why courses in skid control are not so valuable as those that deal with skid awareness. With the former, over optimistic belief in one's car control can lead to problems, (Raikonnen at Spa this year, and he must have expected grip problems). With the latter, the realisation of just how much space is needed to sort things out when they go wrong at speed can be a better lesson in self and car preservation.
HTH
Regards
Martin A
Top advice guys.
As you say Martin, when I got into a panic I resorted to my old steering methods - even on the day. It's nice to have someone review your techniques to make you a safer driver, but they are just suggestions. So I guess I'm going to steer the way I always have. Everything else will be taken on-board though.
It was interesting because at one point on the day I had a really strange feeling. I couldn't describe it to my instructor but he hit the nail on the head - I WAS driving. Everything was working, my mind was 100% focussed on driving and making progress - I was in the zone! And what a feeling it was too. I'd recommend the course to anyone.
As you say Martin, when I got into a panic I resorted to my old steering methods - even on the day. It's nice to have someone review your techniques to make you a safer driver, but they are just suggestions. So I guess I'm going to steer the way I always have. Everything else will be taken on-board though.
It was interesting because at one point on the day I had a really strange feeling. I couldn't describe it to my instructor but he hit the nail on the head - I WAS driving. Everything was working, my mind was 100% focussed on driving and making progress - I was in the zone! And what a feeling it was too. I'd recommend the course to anyone.
thegreengoblet said:
Had my first half day Saturday... excellent stuff. I must say that my concentration was going by the end - as well as my arms aching. Glad I only done 1/2 days. It's a real challenge trying to change what you've been doing for the last 20 years, with my single biggest issue being pull-push steering. So I wanted to know who has stuck with it - the steering that is?
For me, it depends on the type of car and the speed I am doing at the time. I tend to use pull-push at lower speeds and larger cars. But I am quite happy to "mix 'n match" depending on the circumstances - it is what works better for me and what I am comfortable with.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff