Thruxton Tuition v. track day instructors?
Discussion
That's VERY expensive. Plus not all the Thruston instructors are terribly good. One was 11 secs a lap slower than me at Pembrey in the same car . . .
That's more expensive than a one-on-one day with Robb, and I know which of those I would choose. To start with, I would get one of Bruce, Andy or I to come out with you on an Atom day, which is priced in fine claret rather than hard currency.
MC
That's more expensive than a one-on-one day with Robb, and I know which of those I would choose. To start with, I would get one of Bruce, Andy or I to come out with you on an Atom day, which is priced in fine claret rather than hard currency.
MC
John Lloyd said:That's unbelievable ...do you get to keep the car at the end of it? Even if you do, its still not worth it!
£199 for one hour in an Elise with you getting 2 x 7 laps.
Meyrick said:John's seen me drive, so he might prefer you or Bruce!!
To start with, I would get one of Bruce, Andy or I to come out with you on an Atom day
Meyrick said:I think people my age usually drink Lambrini!!
which is priced in fine claret rather than hard currency
coxm said:
To start with, I would get one of Bruce, Andy or I to come out with you on an Atom day, which is priced in fine claret rather than hard currency.
I'd be pleased to pop along to a day with you, John. Maybe Goodwood on June 20th, if not before... Are you still doing that one?
Oh, and as a sop to JP - I'd even be happy with something fruity from his locality!
>> Edited by Bruce Fielding on Friday 13th May 18:28
Bruce Fielding said:
I'd be pleased to pop along to a day with you, John. Maybe Goodwood on June 20th
Thanks Bruce but, funnily enough I have actually booked an instructor on this day. Are you going to Cadwell? If so I will bring my intercom and you can shout abuse at me for braking too earkly and p**s poor cornering.
Following on from the wine lake I have an awful lot of red left over from our 20th Wedding Annivesary, so anyone going to Goodwood is more than welconme to stay here and help me drink it!
John Lloyd said:Bruce can't make Cadwell in June, but I'll be there ...and I'm bringing my own instructor with me! I'm sure he'll happily go out with you and give you some tips - and you can passenger him in my car too if you like. Best thing is, it won't cost you any red at all ...nor any high-class Lambrini...
Are you going to Cadwell?
Having had a taster of what these cars are like (thanks again to John Lloyd), I was wondering what opinions are on the best way to build up the skills required for trackdays in an Atom, whilst I wait for the funds to accumulate for a car of my own... i.e. do I just book a few days tuition with an instructor in any similar 2 seater car (Elise, Caterham, etc), or should I concentrate on finding tuition specifically using an Atom.
If the latter, are there any companies/individuals that anyone can recommend that offer driving tuition specifically for the Atom and roughly what would the costs involved be?
If the latter, are there any companies/individuals that anyone can recommend that offer driving tuition specifically for the Atom and roughly what would the costs involved be?
You can learn most of the skills in pretty much any car. All you have to do is adjust them to the atom later.
Practice corner entry speed, gear and car balance
Practice throttle and corner control
Practice heel and toe
Practice screaming yeeeeeehaaaaah
Then when you get in an Atom, you'll be going quicker, braking harder and later, and accellerating faster, and nothing can prepare you for that, but with the skills under your belt, you'll soon get used to it.
Get some lessons in any car - they'll always stand you in good stead. Why not come with us on the Robb Gravett training - that will certainly help!
Practice corner entry speed, gear and car balance
Practice throttle and corner control
Practice heel and toe
Practice screaming yeeeeeehaaaaah
Then when you get in an Atom, you'll be going quicker, braking harder and later, and accellerating faster, and nothing can prepare you for that, but with the skills under your belt, you'll soon get used to it.
Get some lessons in any car - they'll always stand you in good stead. Why not come with us on the Robb Gravett training - that will certainly help!
The President said:Just out interest, how many Atom-owners heel-and-toe? I've never really tried it, as its impossible in a kart, and my attempts in the Transit never went too well.
Practice heel and toe
Always been too busy enjoying myself in the Atom to think about trying it - is it a big advantage? Bruce? Meyrick? Anyone?
Depends what you're used to. HaT allows you to maintain balance and revs whilst changing gear and reducing speed in a corner, but the difference is marginal - it's more pronounced (pronounced M O R E) in racing, but it's fun to do anyway. Like Max, I needed to adjust the throttle so that it was possible - earlier versions of the Tilton pedal box were a bit sloppy. Ideally you need to set the throttle so that it's level with (or slighly below) the brake pedal on first push. With my plates, it's more big toe/little toe than heel...
It's a bit like a golf grip - it feels really weird at first, but once you get used to it, you don't feel right holding a club any other way.
It's a bit like a golf grip - it feels really weird at first, but once you get used to it, you don't feel right holding a club any other way.
HaT makes a big difference, mostly to how late you can change gear. You can in a kart too, assuming it has gears!
If you are braking up to a corner there are three main benefits:
- Reduces likelihood of rear tyre lock up on limit
- Easier and quicker to loop shift (i.e. 5th to 3rd), which speeds the whole process and allows you to focus on the lock up point more
- if you are a left foot braker (after turn in!), because you can dump the clutch, rather than ease it out, you can cover the brake more quickly, so get on the power harder and earlier
and three minor ones
- clutches cost more than brakes and are not a good way of slowing a car down
- reduces strain on engine, synchros and so on
- makes a nice whaang noise ...
If you are shifting in a corner (which you shouldn't be!!), its much easier to shift without unsettling the car. So, if you wrong-slotted to 5th instead of 3rd somehow, you can fix it if you HaT, whereas if you are loaded up and try a 5th to 3rd shift without a blip you will spin.
If its a sequential shift, you can ignore it: slam the brakes and bang the lever, forget the throttle. If you left foot brake and do clutchless shifts on a H-box, its not possible without HaT unless you have even less mechanical sympathy than most racers!
MC
If you are braking up to a corner there are three main benefits:
- Reduces likelihood of rear tyre lock up on limit
- Easier and quicker to loop shift (i.e. 5th to 3rd), which speeds the whole process and allows you to focus on the lock up point more
- if you are a left foot braker (after turn in!), because you can dump the clutch, rather than ease it out, you can cover the brake more quickly, so get on the power harder and earlier
and three minor ones
- clutches cost more than brakes and are not a good way of slowing a car down
- reduces strain on engine, synchros and so on
- makes a nice whaang noise ...
If you are shifting in a corner (which you shouldn't be!!), its much easier to shift without unsettling the car. So, if you wrong-slotted to 5th instead of 3rd somehow, you can fix it if you HaT, whereas if you are loaded up and try a 5th to 3rd shift without a blip you will spin.
If its a sequential shift, you can ignore it: slam the brakes and bang the lever, forget the throttle. If you left foot brake and do clutchless shifts on a H-box, its not possible without HaT unless you have even less mechanical sympathy than most racers!
MC
coxm said:
If you left foot brake and do clutchless shifts on a H-box, its not possible without HaT
Quick question for coxm ...
How do you HaT with left foot braking & clutchless changes? I'd have thought your left foot would be on the brake, and your right foot blipping the throttle as you 'force' the gears in
Always willing to learn
As has been said, it's something that once you do once, you tend to always do it, as it is a nice feeling & sounds great!
Cheers
Alan
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