Car Limits v Ride Drive
Discussion
Sorry, this has probably been asked loads before, but I've scanned through as many topics as my eyes can take!
I want to do some advanced driving/limit handling training. I've owned my 996 since April and want to start learning about and exploiting what it can really do.
I've read extensively through both sites, and have read many reviews on various forums. In a sense they seem relatively similar, but the impression I get, which may well be misguided, is Car Limits is likely to be more intensive and perhaps better for people who already have a reasonable understanding and some experience of limit handling.
Ride Drive seems aimed at all levels and perhaps combining their advanced driving element with some airfield time may be a better way to spend my £££.
I enjoy pushing and getting the best out of my car, making smooth and quick progress, and many of the things talked about on here, but my experience of anything more advanced or real 'limit driving' is zero.
Does anyone have any opinions on which day may prove for useful for me please? I'd basically like to have fun, learn as much as possible and get a true understanding of what my car is capable of and how to truly to explore and exploit that (safely!)
I want to do some advanced driving/limit handling training. I've owned my 996 since April and want to start learning about and exploiting what it can really do.
I've read extensively through both sites, and have read many reviews on various forums. In a sense they seem relatively similar, but the impression I get, which may well be misguided, is Car Limits is likely to be more intensive and perhaps better for people who already have a reasonable understanding and some experience of limit handling.
Ride Drive seems aimed at all levels and perhaps combining their advanced driving element with some airfield time may be a better way to spend my £££.
I enjoy pushing and getting the best out of my car, making smooth and quick progress, and many of the things talked about on here, but my experience of anything more advanced or real 'limit driving' is zero.
Does anyone have any opinions on which day may prove for useful for me please? I'd basically like to have fun, learn as much as possible and get a true understanding of what my car is capable of and how to truly to explore and exploit that (safely!)
As no-one else seems to be jumping in, I'll just give you my opinion.
First off, congratulations for considering training - acknowledging that there is stuff to learn is the first step.
It sounds like you might be looking for two different things though. If you want to drive quickly on a public road, then you need advanced driving skills. If you want to race, or have fun on track days, then you're probably looking for limit handling.
How much use limit handling training is for road use is a subject of some debate, but in my opinion (FWIW) it's far from the first thing you need. This weekend I spent some time in a car with a senior HPC member - the drive was inspiring: really quite quick, but totally smooth and safe. At no point were we even in sight of the limit of grip, and if we had been it would have meant something had gone very wrong.
Perhaps a taster day with a bit of both would be a good way to start, which would seem to suggest RideDrive. Lots of companies however (Cadence, for example) offer both on and off-road training. An on-road demo from a really good advanced driver would be a worthwhile exercise too.
First off, congratulations for considering training - acknowledging that there is stuff to learn is the first step.
It sounds like you might be looking for two different things though. If you want to drive quickly on a public road, then you need advanced driving skills. If you want to race, or have fun on track days, then you're probably looking for limit handling.
How much use limit handling training is for road use is a subject of some debate, but in my opinion (FWIW) it's far from the first thing you need. This weekend I spent some time in a car with a senior HPC member - the drive was inspiring: really quite quick, but totally smooth and safe. At no point were we even in sight of the limit of grip, and if we had been it would have meant something had gone very wrong.
Perhaps a taster day with a bit of both would be a good way to start, which would seem to suggest RideDrive. Lots of companies however (Cadence, for example) offer both on and off-road training. An on-road demo from a really good advanced driver would be a worthwhile exercise too.
Thanks for that reply
Ideally, eventually, I want to learn everything! OK, I know that is a bit ambitious, but I want to be an excellent road driver, competent on track, able to control skids, drift etc etc.
I think the best way is much as you have suggested, a taster with Ride Drive (as they offer 1-2-1 tuition) and then I will look to evolve my skills further depending on what element I truly feel I need to progress on or interests me most.
I accept your comment that limit handling may not strictly be necessary for road driving, but it is something I want to learn purely for fun and my own interest. I may never practise half the things I am taught in terms of more 'track orientated' driving, but I would like to develop these skills nonetheless
If there are any advanced drivers near to Brighton who fancy coming for a spin, I'd be more than happy to give that a whirl and see what feeback I get.
Ideally, eventually, I want to learn everything! OK, I know that is a bit ambitious, but I want to be an excellent road driver, competent on track, able to control skids, drift etc etc.
I think the best way is much as you have suggested, a taster with Ride Drive (as they offer 1-2-1 tuition) and then I will look to evolve my skills further depending on what element I truly feel I need to progress on or interests me most.
I accept your comment that limit handling may not strictly be necessary for road driving, but it is something I want to learn purely for fun and my own interest. I may never practise half the things I am taught in terms of more 'track orientated' driving, but I would like to develop these skills nonetheless
If there are any advanced drivers near to Brighton who fancy coming for a spin, I'd be more than happy to give that a whirl and see what feeback I get.
Ah, if you'd said Bristol rather than Brighton I would have been able to help.
At the risk of sounding like a cracked record - you could join up at AD-UK and ask there. It's a specialist AD forum, and the members there have taught me a huge amount over the years.
Also, it's possibly not the most exciting option, but your local IAM or RoSPA group might be a good place to start - pretty much all UK advanced driving is based on the same underpinnings, and a course with one of these organisations allows you to get the basics in place at your own pace and reasonably cheaply.
Not everyone involved with these groups will be an enthusiast, but there are a few of us that you could seek out - you'd certainly get more from any professional instruction if you"d taken one of these tests first.
At the risk of sounding like a cracked record - you could join up at AD-UK and ask there. It's a specialist AD forum, and the members there have taught me a huge amount over the years.
Also, it's possibly not the most exciting option, but your local IAM or RoSPA group might be a good place to start - pretty much all UK advanced driving is based on the same underpinnings, and a course with one of these organisations allows you to get the basics in place at your own pace and reasonably cheaply.
Not everyone involved with these groups will be an enthusiast, but there are a few of us that you could seek out - you'd certainly get more from any professional instruction if you"d taken one of these tests first.
Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Tuesday 24th August 15:08
FastLaneGirl said:
Thanks for the input. I have had a chat with Julian at Ride Drive and decided to book their course which is all day advanced road driving with a session on limit driving off the public roads
I'll update once I've been, really looking forward to it!
I've done this course in the chimaera. It is a great day, the focus being on advanced road techniques with an hour or so for lunch and a blat round a track to find the limits of your car.I'll update once I've been, really looking forward to it!
Expect to learn loads, have a lot of fun and be totally exhausted.
Have a great time.
Other trainers are available. 
I really enjoyed RideDrive and learnt a lot - they're very good at tailoring to your specific requirements. Not done the Limits stuff as I perceive it, rightly or wrongly, to be more track orientated.
I also had a session with Martin A - very good too. I had some specifics I wanted to learn about and brush up on and he again, tailored the session to my needs.
I really enjoyed RideDrive and learnt a lot - they're very good at tailoring to your specific requirements. Not done the Limits stuff as I perceive it, rightly or wrongly, to be more track orientated.
I also had a session with Martin A - very good too. I had some specifics I wanted to learn about and brush up on and he again, tailored the session to my needs.
Speaking from my own experience - Ride Drive are fantastic.
I did the full day advanced driving plus the hour on track (Bruntingthorpe in my case).
But whoever you decide to go with, you will realise that making the relatively inexpensive upgrade to your skills will make for faster, smoother, safer and more relaxed journeys irrespective of the car you drive.
I did the full day advanced driving plus the hour on track (Bruntingthorpe in my case).
But whoever you decide to go with, you will realise that making the relatively inexpensive upgrade to your skills will make for faster, smoother, safer and more relaxed journeys irrespective of the car you drive.
Thanks to everyone who has commented, and it's great to hear some personal recommendations for Ride Drive.
I am now booked in for 17th Sept. I have had a chat with my instructor-to-be who I got on with really well and who I am confident will help me get the most out of my day and my car
I can't wait!
I will update with a full report after I've been
I am now booked in for 17th Sept. I have had a chat with my instructor-to-be who I got on with really well and who I am confident will help me get the most out of my day and my car
I can't wait!I will update with a full report after I've been
Have a brilliant day on the 17th! Look forward to reading how you get on. Beware, RideDrive training can be addictive
www.HPC.org.uk is perhaps more up your street. Members include many Porsche drivers! It's a brilliant club with driving events all over the country. Definitely worth contacting to ask which HPC drivers are local to you, who would happily go out for an informal drive.
FastLaneGirl said:
If there are any advanced drivers near to Brighton who fancy coming for a spin, I'd be more than happy to give that a whirl and see what feeback I get.
Yes, there's www.sussexrospa.org.uk local to you. Contact david.raine@sussexrospa.org.uk for info. Be warned that these folks aren't like RideDrive! RoSPA's got more emphasis on safety, less on fun. Nonetheless you'd get extra practice under an advanced eye. David Raine himself is a former police pursuit driver, so worth badgering him personally for a coaching session even if he's too busy to go out regularly. If you like achieving goals, then RoSPA Gold gives a standard of excellence to aim for. Also, Sussex RoSPA usually organises skid training at Goodwoodwww.HPC.org.uk is perhaps more up your street. Members include many Porsche drivers! It's a brilliant club with driving events all over the country. Definitely worth contacting to ask which HPC drivers are local to you, who would happily go out for an informal drive.Edited by SVS on Saturday 4th September 10:11
Well, I did my RideDrive day on Friday & it was utterly brilliant I thought I'd do a long (boring!) write up but would summarise it first for anyone skimming through
First, hats off to Julian who was hugely helpful & managed to spend a frantic evening finding me a new instructor after the original one had some rather traumatic problems & had to cancel last minute.
My instructor for the day was Andy, and ex police driver of some 30 years. Full credit to him for his ability to impart his knowledge and enthusiasm to a complete novice, he clearly loved what he did and we had a great day.
First I was asked to drive my usual way for the first half hour or so, then we stopped for a coffee and a chat. Andy talked through what I could improve (basically, I'm confident & competent, but lazy with some bad habits!). We then discussed some advanced driving techniques & went out to practice.
Of course it took a while to pick up, but suddenly you 'get it', and it's a whole new world. I'm sure what we did will be familiar to posters on here, but it was about focusing on the limit point, road positioning & planning ahead, and of course smoothness, inputs, balance and making progress. So simple in theory, but makes such a huge difference in how you can progress along the road. It was bit of a revelation. The theory is all well & good, but actually putting it into practice with an instructor helping you is a whole different thing.
We then went 'off road' to Longcross. I had a few laps of their track then onto an open area to try limit handling. I was asked to slalom through 3 cones getting progressively faster until the car broke traction. Having got to that point, Andy then had me booting the car round in ever tighter circles. Lots of tyre squealing! But, astoundingly, what I learnt was the levels of grip in the 996 are just phenomenal (even with all aids turned off). Andy hadn't been out in one & he said he was really impressed. Of course what it did was help me understand just how the car performs under more extreme driving, and what it's limits really were, and this then inspires much more confidence. I was allowed to have as much of a play as I wanted, and got to grips to understanding the car's limits and how to begin to control the moments I could get it to break free. The 996 is huge fun, but exceptionally balanced and pretty predictable, love it!
I got to have another blast round the track, and was considerably faster than the first time There's a banked bend which I was then able to take at speeds right on the edge of what the car could deal with. It was utterly inspiring & I'm sure you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed it!
We spent the remainder of the day practising again out on the roads, and I feel I made a huge amount of progress. Andy gave me some great feedback at the end of the day.
I could witter on for ever about the day, but basically Andy was a brilliant instructor, I had a huge amount of fun, I loved every moment of learning new things and trying different techniques, and could feel the improvement in my driving. The limit handling section was the perfect complement to the advanced driving road techniques, not because I wish to drive everywhere at the limit, but because it enabled me to gain a much deeper understanding of my car & how it handles, which in turn has made me a more aware and better driver.
I shall be having more lessons in the future, as I want to practice & keep improving, but in short - highly recommended!!
I thought I'd do a long (boring!) write up but would summarise it first for anyone skimming through First, hats off to Julian who was hugely helpful & managed to spend a frantic evening finding me a new instructor after the original one had some rather traumatic problems & had to cancel last minute.
My instructor for the day was Andy, and ex police driver of some 30 years. Full credit to him for his ability to impart his knowledge and enthusiasm to a complete novice, he clearly loved what he did and we had a great day.
First I was asked to drive my usual way for the first half hour or so, then we stopped for a coffee and a chat. Andy talked through what I could improve (basically, I'm confident & competent, but lazy with some bad habits!). We then discussed some advanced driving techniques & went out to practice.
Of course it took a while to pick up, but suddenly you 'get it', and it's a whole new world. I'm sure what we did will be familiar to posters on here, but it was about focusing on the limit point, road positioning & planning ahead, and of course smoothness, inputs, balance and making progress. So simple in theory, but makes such a huge difference in how you can progress along the road. It was bit of a revelation. The theory is all well & good, but actually putting it into practice with an instructor helping you is a whole different thing.
We then went 'off road' to Longcross. I had a few laps of their track then onto an open area to try limit handling. I was asked to slalom through 3 cones getting progressively faster until the car broke traction. Having got to that point, Andy then had me booting the car round in ever tighter circles. Lots of tyre squealing! But, astoundingly, what I learnt was the levels of grip in the 996 are just phenomenal (even with all aids turned off). Andy hadn't been out in one & he said he was really impressed. Of course what it did was help me understand just how the car performs under more extreme driving, and what it's limits really were, and this then inspires much more confidence. I was allowed to have as much of a play as I wanted, and got to grips to understanding the car's limits and how to begin to control the moments I could get it to break free. The 996 is huge fun, but exceptionally balanced and pretty predictable, love it!
I got to have another blast round the track, and was considerably faster than the first time
There's a banked bend which I was then able to take at speeds right on the edge of what the car could deal with. It was utterly inspiring & I'm sure you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed it! We spent the remainder of the day practising again out on the roads, and I feel I made a huge amount of progress. Andy gave me some great feedback at the end of the day.
I could witter on for ever about the day, but basically Andy was a brilliant instructor, I had a huge amount of fun, I loved every moment of learning new things and trying different techniques, and could feel the improvement in my driving. The limit handling section was the perfect complement to the advanced driving road techniques, not because I wish to drive everywhere at the limit, but because it enabled me to gain a much deeper understanding of my car & how it handles, which in turn has made me a more aware and better driver.
I shall be having more lessons in the future, as I want to practice & keep improving, but in short - highly recommended!!
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