Discussion
I want to appreciate my Tuscan on the road to the fullest without endangering myself or other road users.
To do this, I feel I need some tuition.
I want to be able to spot a potential situation before it happens and not say to myself "Sh1t, that was close!" or worse.
I'm not experienced enough to get in a car and spot a 'whiff of over or understeer' nor am I blasé enough to kid myself I can figure it all out for myself on a trackday, so I've arranged a one to one session in my own car.
So, to get to the point.
What thoughts are there on going back to school?
Has anyone of you had any type of similar tuition?
What did you hope to achieve from it?
Did it achieve the aims and what did you get from the experience?
To do this, I feel I need some tuition.
I want to be able to spot a potential situation before it happens and not say to myself "Sh1t, that was close!" or worse.
I'm not experienced enough to get in a car and spot a 'whiff of over or understeer' nor am I blasé enough to kid myself I can figure it all out for myself on a trackday, so I've arranged a one to one session in my own car.
So, to get to the point.
What thoughts are there on going back to school?
Has anyone of you had any type of similar tuition?
What did you hope to achieve from it?
Did it achieve the aims and what did you get from the experience?
S1X OK said:
I want to appreciate my Tuscan on the road to the fullest without endangering myself or other road users.
To do this, I feel I need some tuition.
I want to be able to spot a potential situation before it happens and not say to myself "Sh1t, that was close!" or worse.
I'm not experienced enough to get in a car and spot a 'whiff of over or understeer' nor am I blasé enough to kid myself I can figure it all out for myself on a trackday, so I've arranged a one to one session in my own car.
So, to get to the point.
What thoughts are there on going back to school?
Has anyone of you had any type of similar tuition?
What did you hope to achieve from it?
Did it achieve the aims and what did you get from the experience?
Ride Drive and a track day is your answer.
Alan.
Track days are very good, because you can normally get free tuition from racing drivers, but you need to get in quick and ask them , there might be 3 racing drivers to about 50 or more punters, most of which don't bother or don't like to be seen needing help.
Enjoy your car, you have a sensible attitude.
Tim
Enjoy your car, you have a sensible attitude.
Tim
Thanks for the encouragement.
I attended the first TMS trackday at Bruntingthorpe, two days after collecting the Tuscan, so it stayed firmly on the sidelines all day. However, having watched the antics of those on the track, I could see how adrenaline kicked in making most of the drivers go into race mode. There's no way I'd be able to concentrate on developing my skills on a crowded track.
Also, it isn't my intention to become a competitive driver, so track skills aren't that important.
Admittedly, I won't rule out trackdays, but I'll only take that step when I think I'm ready.
I attended the first TMS trackday at Bruntingthorpe, two days after collecting the Tuscan, so it stayed firmly on the sidelines all day. However, having watched the antics of those on the track, I could see how adrenaline kicked in making most of the drivers go into race mode. There's no way I'd be able to concentrate on developing my skills on a crowded track.
Also, it isn't my intention to become a competitive driver, so track skills aren't that important.
Admittedly, I won't rule out trackdays, but I'll only take that step when I think I'm ready.
Track skills is exactly what you do need to develop as driving fast but safely is all about smoothness and control. You can't learn these techniques safely anywhere else except on a big big piece of tarmac. Good track drivers need to anticipate, be in the right gear at the right time and all those other things that good driving on public roads needs.
It also makes you realise what a reposnsibility you have with the car and reduces the desire to prove something on the roads.
Go on a Ride Drive but don't dismiss the value of track days (especially with an instructor) because you don' t want to race.
It also makes you realise what a reposnsibility you have with the car and reduces the desire to prove something on the roads.
Go on a Ride Drive but don't dismiss the value of track days (especially with an instructor) because you don' t want to race.
I have to contribute to this thread...
Try joining the IAM. Its cheap. For £85 quid you get as many "Observed Drives" as you need and take the IAM Advanced Driving Test. Its a really good grounding in Obervation, anticipation, car control and so on...you will be a much safer driver afterwards.
But don't stop there...that's the first step. Add to that specific performance car tuition - heel and toe and so on.
I'd also recommend a skid-pan course a.s.a.p. (I need to go on a refresher soon myself) and, most fun of all, a completely piss-wet track day somewhere - the car slides around all over the place....
The key point for road driving though is through excellent forward observation you avoid the need for skid control all together...
Try joining the IAM. Its cheap. For £85 quid you get as many "Observed Drives" as you need and take the IAM Advanced Driving Test. Its a really good grounding in Obervation, anticipation, car control and so on...you will be a much safer driver afterwards.
But don't stop there...that's the first step. Add to that specific performance car tuition - heel and toe and so on.
I'd also recommend a skid-pan course a.s.a.p. (I need to go on a refresher soon myself) and, most fun of all, a completely piss-wet track day somewhere - the car slides around all over the place....
The key point for road driving though is through excellent forward observation you avoid the need for skid control all together...
Combine the two: Ride Drive will take you out on both the road (to give some guidance on observation and car control) and an airfield to allow you to explore the limits of your car's handling in complete safety.
And that is just the beginning; take what you learn from these guys and keep practising: after all, isn't it a good idea to have an excuse to drive the Tuscan more?
And that is just the beginning; take what you learn from these guys and keep practising: after all, isn't it a good idea to have an excuse to drive the Tuscan more?
Ride Drive might be what you are looking for. One to one tuition from a serving Class 1 Police driver. Don't get the idea that all they do is beat you up to stick to the speed limits (posted limits excepted) either. I've never made progress like this in my life!
They will take you on an airfield or track for training too,where you deliberately lose the car and learn to catch it, do donuts, hold braking on the point just before it locks up etc. I did my first RideDrive a month ago and have another one booked for Monday.
The emphasis is on safely getting the best from a performance car. I don't want to detract from IAM; it's excellent and I think everyone should do it anyway, but not all the observers are performance car drivers. How about doing both?
They will take you on an airfield or track for training too,where you deliberately lose the car and learn to catch it, do donuts, hold braking on the point just before it locks up etc. I did my first RideDrive a month ago and have another one booked for Monday.
The emphasis is on safely getting the best from a performance car. I don't want to detract from IAM; it's excellent and I think everyone should do it anyway, but not all the observers are performance car drivers. How about doing both?
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