Which High Performance Driving Course Is Best???

[DAVE-W-]

Im currently a member of the IAM but would like to do a course which actually trains you how to handle a car in emergency situations. I used to own an M3 which was sadly written off while tryin to swerve to avoid an oncoming car on my side of the road. I dont want a course that trains you to be defensive or that gives you 3 laps in a ferrari. I want a proper full day course or more that takes you out and trains you on a track how to handle a car on the limit at more than the usual 20mph in a sierra in a skidpan.I plan on getting a cerbera next so want a real life course.
The mains ones that i have found is Don Palmer's course and HPC UK Ltd. Does anyone have any experience with these companies or know of any others?

Much appreciated
Dave Wilson

Edited by DAVE-W- on Sunday 3rd December 15:23

[m12_nathan]

They all teach differently so are all worth going on to expand your knowledge.

Carlimits.com is a cheap starting point and a brilliant day of learning, I've done a few now and it really is good value for money .

[custardtart]

Do a trackday with bookatrack and hire one of their instructors, it's cheap as chips that way and you get proper instruction from an ARDS instructor. You could even hire one of their own circuit cars such as a Caterham.

www.bookatrack.com

[richad027]

A day with Don Palmer is just what you are looking for, you will spend the whole day trying to drive you car on the limit in a safe environment so that when you get it wrong and spin your car will still be in one piece. Can be a bit hard on tyres if you go mad but you will learn more about car control than with anyone else.
A track day with an instructor is a waste of time they spend the whole time making sure you don't go beyond the limit of the your driving never mind the car as circuits are not safe places to lose control.

Richard.

[spb2]

Don is very good, and can teach you alot about limit handlilng.

However from your IAM background I can only suggest you spend a couple of days with John Lyon, he is the road driving guru, almost all HPC members, bar the newest recruits, owe there driving skills (and lives) to John. On the road his awareness and sheer competence is second to none. These days he charges a lot less money too. John literally wrote the rules for how to survive driving on the public road.

I believe he still advertises in Evo, if you are in contact with any of your IAM chums, ask them, they are sure to have heard of him or trained with him, although John himself won't have too many kind words about the IAM itself, but he's kind of like that.

[fergus]

Don Palmer. Try Bernard Aubrey and John Lyons as well (all HPC related guys)

Don's courses at Bruntingthorope are very useful and there is plenty of high speed stuff involved. You *may* not like Don's teaching style, but this is a personal decision. Personally, I have quite like it, however, others who have posted historically on him don't always share my opinion....

[simonrockman]

When I got my integrale I was sent to John Lyons. Money very well spent.

Simon

[DAVE-W-]

Cheers for the replys. At the moment the one that has stood out the most is Hugh Noblett at Cadence. Still waiting to get an idea of prices from him to compare to Don Palmer. There have been other cheaper companies mentioned but Hugh and Don seem to be the top two and are links to the HPC which highlights there quality.

Cheers
Dave Wilson

[warren182]

Did a day with Hugh at Cadence, really good, wouldn't go anywhere else.