Discussion
OK, I'm crap on the track. I need to learn, in a safe environment how to:
- heel and toe
- know the real limits of my car (as opposed to what I think are the limits).
I know I can go on airfeld days and the like and I've done a few track days in my time. However, I was hoping for a bit of 1-1 tuition without dodging everyone else on the track/airfield.
Which of the private instructor companies could offer me the best tuition? In a TVR, in the SE ideally. I think there's a company in Maidenhead (Ride Drive?) - any views?
I'm looking to spend a few hundred quid, but not millions!
Thanks!
- heel and toe
- know the real limits of my car (as opposed to what I think are the limits).
I know I can go on airfeld days and the like and I've done a few track days in my time. However, I was hoping for a bit of 1-1 tuition without dodging everyone else on the track/airfield.
Which of the private instructor companies could offer me the best tuition? In a TVR, in the SE ideally. I think there's a company in Maidenhead (Ride Drive?) - any views?
I'm looking to spend a few hundred quid, but not millions!
Thanks!
Two courses recommended to me:
Andrew Walsh (1st Lotus)
Don Palmer (Creative Car Control)
I think both would satisfy your requirements in terms of getting to know your car’s limits.
As for heel and toe, I would strongly recommend practising this beforehand. It isn’t dangerous if practised at appropriate times on the road. In fact you can practice at standstill - first make sure your pedals are adjusted so that the brake and accelerator are as close as possible then practice pressing on the brake and blipping the throttle concentrating on maintaining a constant pressure on the brake pedal. I started heel and toe at an airfield day and it was a disaster. I was pushing the brake much harder when I was blipping the throttle making smooth driving impossible. It will waste valuable time with your instructor if you have never done it before.
I’m having a day with Andrew Walsh in February and if you’re still undecided where to go , I’ll provide some feedback. I’m also planning on having a day with Steve Lewis at Castle Combe a month or so after. The plan is to be able to apply improved car control onto the track with the benefit of an expert sat next to me. I have to say that although the usual instruction at track days is useful, the instructors are very busy and tend to jump out of your car and into someone else’s. Sometimes you need to be able to have a relaxed chat to sort through what you’ve just done and what you could have done better.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Andrew Walsh (1st Lotus)
Don Palmer (Creative Car Control)
I think both would satisfy your requirements in terms of getting to know your car’s limits.
As for heel and toe, I would strongly recommend practising this beforehand. It isn’t dangerous if practised at appropriate times on the road. In fact you can practice at standstill - first make sure your pedals are adjusted so that the brake and accelerator are as close as possible then practice pressing on the brake and blipping the throttle concentrating on maintaining a constant pressure on the brake pedal. I started heel and toe at an airfield day and it was a disaster. I was pushing the brake much harder when I was blipping the throttle making smooth driving impossible. It will waste valuable time with your instructor if you have never done it before.
I’m having a day with Andrew Walsh in February and if you’re still undecided where to go , I’ll provide some feedback. I’m also planning on having a day with Steve Lewis at Castle Combe a month or so after. The plan is to be able to apply improved car control onto the track with the benefit of an expert sat next to me. I have to say that although the usual instruction at track days is useful, the instructors are very busy and tend to jump out of your car and into someone else’s. Sometimes you need to be able to have a relaxed chat to sort through what you’ve just done and what you could have done better.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Steve Lewis
steve@b-chip.com qualified ARDS instructor, and TVR Challenge driver
He Also works for both Silverstone and Rockingham
A little about his antics here www.pistonheads.com/motorsport/default.asp?storyId=7858
>> Edited by dontlift on Tuesday 13th January 16:12
steve@b-chip.com qualified ARDS instructor, and TVR Challenge driver
He Also works for both Silverstone and Rockingham
A little about his antics here www.pistonheads.com/motorsport/default.asp?storyId=7858
>> Edited by dontlift on Tuesday 13th January 16:12
Agree with the above (esp Don Palmer).
A lot of people (including me) don't exactly heel and toe, we roll the ball of the foot from the brake to the gas pedal to blip the revs. Depends what car you are in (and position of pedals), but I've always found it a lot easier.
Loud pedal needs to be same height as the brake when lightly braking (most 'proper' sports cars (your TVR) will have this roughly set up... but your Audi might not - never driven one).
Steve
A lot of people (including me) don't exactly heel and toe, we roll the ball of the foot from the brake to the gas pedal to blip the revs. Depends what car you are in (and position of pedals), but I've always found it a lot easier.
Loud pedal needs to be same height as the brake when lightly braking (most 'proper' sports cars (your TVR) will have this roughly set up... but your Audi might not - never driven one).
Steve
www.simonmason.com
Just an alternative for you to think about and it might at least give you some options. Failing that, Steve Lewis is the most suitable of the names mentioned so far in my experience for what your looking for.
>> Edited by Simon Mason on Wednesday 14th January 00:22
Just an alternative for you to think about and it might at least give you some options. Failing that, Steve Lewis is the most suitable of the names mentioned so far in my experience for what your looking for.
>> Edited by Simon Mason on Wednesday 14th January 00:22
I did all the research on this and decided to go with Andrew Walsh at 1st Lotus who operates from North Weald airfield (just up the M11, off the M25) but haven't done it yet. You can book for either two or four person days (2:1 is twice the price of 4:1) and very reasonably priced compared to most others.
Drop me an email and I'll send you through the email he sent me with all the details. If you want to do this in the next few weeks some time maybe we can go together (you're somewhere around Berkshire IIRC)?
Don
Drop me an email and I'll send you through the email he sent me with all the details. If you want to do this in the next few weeks some time maybe we can go together (you're somewhere around Berkshire IIRC)?
Don
Simon Mason said:
<a href="http://www.simonmason.com">www.simonmason.com</a>
Just an alternative for you to think about and it might at least give you some options. Failing that, Steve Lewis is the most suitable of the names mentioned so far in my experience for what your looking for.
>> Edited by Simon Mason on Wednesday 14th January 00:22
I would concur either Simon or Steve are the boys for the job......
P.S. hows things Simon, long time no hear
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