Advanced driving courses in the USA...
Discussion
I just purchased a manual transmission car after driving an auto box, and then an F1 paddle-shifter for the last 10 years or so. Needless to say, my rather limited skills are even rustier right now. Any recommendations? It seems like the only courses available to us in the States are racing classes. Personally speaking, I would just like to find something that would help me become a better, smoother driver.
This forum might be a good start.
http://www.standardshift.com/forum/index.php
But if you've driven stick before, just get out there and practice. Remember the trick is to use the clutch as little as possible, and to try and get the revs to match where they need to be for the next gear.
http://www.standardshift.com/forum/index.php
But if you've driven stick before, just get out there and practice. Remember the trick is to use the clutch as little as possible, and to try and get the revs to match where they need to be for the next gear.
Look at your gear ratios.
Let's say that 2nd ratio is 140% of 3rd ratio (for example, 1.35 v 1.90). For any given road speed, therefore, you'll need 40% more RPMs in 2nd than in 3rd.
You'd then go out in your car, drive it in 2nd at, say, 2800, then de-clutch, shift to 3rd, use throttle to get engine speed to 2000, then re-engage clutch. It should slot right in, almost seamlessly.
Another thing to simplify process is what is sometimes called the "chauffeur change". The idea is that, when downshifting, typically a driver will lift foot completely off throttle, de-clutch, shift gear, and whilst re-engaging clutch will blip throttle to get revs up to desired speed for new ratio.
The problem with this technique is that, when you lift off the throttle,the revs fall a lot (potentially to idle speed, say 800 RPMs), and now you need to judge the exact throttle position for, say, 2800 RPMs. Between 800 and 2800, there is goodly room for error.
In the "chauffeur change", whilst you're de-clutching, you don't change the throttle position. You carry on with, say, the previous 2000, even though the engine is momentarily disconnected from the gearbox and driven wheels.
When you go to re-engage clutch, you need only to judge the difference in throttle position between 2000 and 2800, rather than between 800 and 2800. It smooths things out.
Let's say that 2nd ratio is 140% of 3rd ratio (for example, 1.35 v 1.90). For any given road speed, therefore, you'll need 40% more RPMs in 2nd than in 3rd.
You'd then go out in your car, drive it in 2nd at, say, 2800, then de-clutch, shift to 3rd, use throttle to get engine speed to 2000, then re-engage clutch. It should slot right in, almost seamlessly.
Another thing to simplify process is what is sometimes called the "chauffeur change". The idea is that, when downshifting, typically a driver will lift foot completely off throttle, de-clutch, shift gear, and whilst re-engaging clutch will blip throttle to get revs up to desired speed for new ratio.
The problem with this technique is that, when you lift off the throttle,the revs fall a lot (potentially to idle speed, say 800 RPMs), and now you need to judge the exact throttle position for, say, 2800 RPMs. Between 800 and 2800, there is goodly room for error.
In the "chauffeur change", whilst you're de-clutching, you don't change the throttle position. You carry on with, say, the previous 2000, even though the engine is momentarily disconnected from the gearbox and driven wheels.
When you go to re-engage clutch, you need only to judge the difference in throttle position between 2000 and 2800, rather than between 800 and 2800. It smooths things out.
Strangely Brown said:
Not really, you can do Roadcraft in an auto. As a particularly "out there" suggestion, you could learn to drive an eighteen wheeler. They still have stick shifts.
Strangely Brown said:
So what? The OP said that he wanted to learn to become a better, smoother driver. They will be able to help him with that in his new "stick" and he'll learn a lot more besides.
I read the OP as he was wanting specific help with improving his shifting on a manual box, rather than roadcraft.davepoth said:
I read the OP as he was wanting specific help with improving his shifting on a manual box, rather than roadcraft.
A bit of both actually, but smoother shifting is definitely one of my most immediate concerns. I realize that I should have mentioned in my original post that I have driven a manual transmission before. In fact I owned one until I moved to Manhattan after graduating from university. That being said, it has been a lot of years in-between and a 1978 Toyota Celica feels nothing like an Aston Martin! I do believe that roadcraft is very important for each and every driver to learn, but my first order of business is to improve my ability to handle my new car. There is no reason that you can't get both by contacting ADA. Not only should they be able to help you with "how" to change gear well, they will be able to help you with "when" and "why" too. I think you have nothing to lose and everything to gain and it's only a phone call. Why not contact them and see what they say.
Strangely Brown said:
There is no reason that you can't get both by contacting ADA. Not only should they be able to help you with "how" to change gear well, they will be able to help you with "when" and "why" too. I think you have nothing to lose and everything to gain and it's only a phone call. Why not contact them and see what they say.
We don't have them here in the States, unless you are referring to the American Dental Association. Strangely Brown said:
Please see the link in my original response: ADA - Advanced Drivers of America.
I'm so sorry.. I somehow completely missed that part in large print at the top that listed it as such. I just started reading the main text and saw mention of UK police drivers and assumed it was British. Doh. 
brumma said:
A bit of both actually, but smoother shifting is definitely one of my most immediate concerns. I realize that I should have mentioned in my original post that I have driven a manual transmission before. In fact I owned one until I moved to Manhattan after graduating from university. That being said, it has been a lot of years in-between and a 1978 Toyota Celica feels nothing like an Aston Martin! I do believe that roadcraft is very important for each and every driver to learn, but my first order of business is to improve my ability to handle my new car.
Congratulations on a nice choice. 
It may well be worth asking the local A-M dealership, it looks like they do a course in Michigan.
http://www.astonmartindrivingexperiences.com/eng/h...
davepoth said:
Congratulations on a nice choice.
It may well be worth asking the local A-M dealership, it looks like they do a course in Michigan.
http://www.astonmartindrivingexperiences.com/eng/h...
Thanks on both counts, Dave! I just found out about the Michigan location--I had thought it was only at Newport Pagnell. I'll have to save up a bit though, since I just blew all of my cash on the car. It may well be worth asking the local A-M dealership, it looks like they do a course in Michigan.
http://www.astonmartindrivingexperiences.com/eng/h...
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