The correct way to drive like a maniac?

[tedfred]

Dear All,

Has anyone experienced anything remotely linked to what is offered here

https://www.total-car-control.co.uk/

Where it seems you can learn more in 2 days than in 40 years of driving? Cynically, I could say that judging by the standard of driving I have seen on the roads recently, that would not amount to much learning.

I note that the price of this 2 days of wonderment, is not easily gleaned from the website.

Any thoughts?

Regards to all

Tedfred

 

[Wighty]

Dear All,

Has anyone experienced anything remotely linked to what is offered here

https://www.total-car-control.co.uk/

Where it seems you can learn more in 2 days than in 40 years of driving? Cynically, I could say that judging by the standard of driving I have seen on the roads recently, that would not amount to much learning.

I note that the price of this 2 days of wonderment, is not easily gleaned from the website.

Any thoughts?

Regards to all

Tedfred

Have a read of the "police drivers manual" called Roadcraft I believe for some very low cost training

 

[John Laidlaw]

I did the IAM advanced driving test which was excellent day to day stuff and roadcraft book been studied alongside some track days. This seems much more intensive and at Millbrook (so you can drive like a maniac and take your car to it’s- or more likely your- limit!).
The blurb looks very good...then I find it’s £925 a day excluding VAT, so £2220 for 2 days presumably. Oh that includes a sandwich at lunchtime !
If it was half that I might consider it, it does look very good and quite specific.
On the other hand I’ve just been checking out the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan and they do track days for a very reasonable £85 which is for 5 x 15 minute runs. In addition you can pay an instructor £60 to sit with you in 2 of your 15 minute sessions. You can also pay for class room sessions if you want again at reasonable cost...
Downsides? The fact that it is relatively cheap might mean that Barry in his VXR will rock up not giving a flying **** for his or anyone else’s safety. I’m saying that but no basis or evidence just a feeling
Track day insurance isn’t cheap
It’s not a long wide and relatively straight circuit so not sure the E63 will be as well suited as Barry’s VXR
Just my ramblings....

 

[Binnedit]

On the other hand I’ve just been checking out the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan and they do track days for a very reasonable £85 which is for 5 x 15 minute runs. In addition you can pay an instructor £60 to sit with you in 2 of your 15 minute sessions. You can also pay for class room sessions if you want again at reasonable cost...
Downsides? The fact that it is relatively cheap might mean that Barry in his VXR will rock up not giving a flying **** for his or anyone else’s safety.

I was bought an Aston Martin experience day at the Three Sisters a few years back. I think its more of a Go Kart track, narrow and twisty. IMO too small for anything with a bit of power.
Would love to do a track day at Oulton Park, though. Cascades....hmmmm

 

[John Laidlaw]

I was bought an Aston Martin experience day at the Three Sisters a few years back. I think its more of a Go Kart track, narrow and twisty. IMO too small for anything with a bit of power.
Would love to do a track day at Oulton Park, though. Cascades....hmmmm

Thanks, not been to be honest- pictures back up what you’re saying though . Oulton park sounds good

 

[Rollo Tomasi]

As has been said, Three Sisters is more of a Go Kart track. Went on a Stag do a few years ago there for a day's Karting, loads of fun, but I wouldn't want do drive anything bigger, way to restrictive due to it's size really.
Oulton Park all the way, totally different ball game.

 

[00slk]

Did all the advanced driving courses when I wanted to be a copper and have career change, only mastered the driving
Done Oulton Park (fabulous Track) Actually also done Snetterton, Snetterton 300, Silverstone, (GP track) Pukekohe, (109mph down the back straight in the 280se, until I was blitz by the 6.3 ) Levels, Teretonga..........Oh those were the days

 

[sonic]

Any training is well worth it. You pass your test at 18-20 then no more training for the rest of your life.Not good.
I sat & passed the IAM car, bike, & HGV tests in the 70's, then joined the police service in 1981.
I qualified advanced on car & bike, the standard was amazing.
Sadly possibly with the exception of advanced the stranded of police drivers is now poor.

 

[Ken_R]

Sadly possibly with the exception of advanced the stranded of police drivers is now poor.

I'll echo that, from what I've seen locally in recent years. You see/hear the "Blues & Two's" and watch, and think, "What are they waiting for?"

A mate of mine, Grade 1 + having done the Personal Protection Driving course, changed Forces. This meant that he had to be re-assessed. Even though many of the Driving School staff, civilian role, were mostly retired Instructors/Officers from his former force, who he knew personally, at the end of the assessment, he was advised to 'tone it down'. Or in other words, we are not allowed to teach to that level nowadays.

As to Track days. I've got no interest. An expensive way of 'scrubbing' tyres without actually gaining any useful skills. The 'skill' in driving is to 'make progress safely'. No Track can teach a person that.

There are a couple of videos on Youtube that are worth watching. One is a Police Instructor doing a demonstration run from, I think North London, towards the centre, and giving a commentary. The other is from 1987 and is entitled "The Liver Run."

The donated Liver arrives at Stanstead and then the Met have 35 minutes to get it to a London Hospital otherwise the patient dies. Pressure or what!

THAT is driving 'skill'! It needs to watched a couple of times to appreciate the level of training applicable to the outcome.

 

[sonic]

Agree totally with you. Yes a brilliant video which I have seen before, well worth watching.

I'll echo that, from what I've seen locally in recent years. You see/hear the "Blues & Two's" and watch, and think, "What are they waiting for?"

A mate of mine, Grade 1 + having done the Personal Protection Driving course, changed Forces. This meant that he had to be re-assessed. Even though many of the Driving School staff, civilian role, were mostly retired Instructors/Officers from his former force, who he knew personally, at the end of the assessment, he was advised to 'tone it down'. Or in other words, we are not allowed to teach to that level nowadays.

As to Track days. I've got no interest. An expensive way of 'scrubbing' tyres without actually gaining any useful skills. The 'skill' in driving is to 'make progress safely'. No Track can teach a person that.

There are a couple of videos on Youtube that are worth watching. One is a Police Instructor doing a demonstration run from, I think North London, towards the centre, and giving a commentary. The other is from 1987 and is entitled "The Liver Run."

The donated Liver arrives at Stanstead and then the Met have 35 minutes to get it to a London Hospital otherwise the patient dies. Pressure or what!

THAT is driving 'skill'! It needs to watched a couple of times to appreciate the level of training applicable to the outcome.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I can personally recommend CAT Driver Training, based at Millbrook. I have done a couple of courses with them, and it's nice to have your driving appraised occasionally by a professional instructor. It surprises me the number of people who pass their driving test and never have any kind of professional assessment ever again. I know 40 years of driving experience will teach you a lot, but you can also develop some bad habits in that time! I drove a Doctor On Call green light service car for ten years and we had our driving assessed annually by a police instructor. That certainly opened my eyes a bit!

 

[LostKiwi]

Did all the advanced driving courses when I wanted to be a copper and have career change, only mastered the driving
Done Oulton Park (fabulous Track) Actually also done Snetterton, Snetterton 300, Silverstone, (GP track) Pukekohe, (109mph down the back straight in the 280se, until I was blitz by the 6.3 ) Levels, Teretonga..........Oh those were the days

They were indeed..
Spent many happy gallons of shells finest at Pukekohe, Baypark and Taupo not to mention all the gravel rash at Maramarua and Woodhill and the sprints at Anderson's Farm, Bright Road, Jones Road and others...
Great learning experience and huge fun.
Highlight has to be the weekends at Baypark. The two I remember most were the AUCC rally sprint using a mix of track, access roads and put area and the sprints weekend where I used my Pacer to tow a mates rally mini down on a trailer then went out and caned him on the track in it before towing him home

 

[00slk]

Certainly cool days......I know I have plenty of pictures and in the later years much video footage.
I never got to Bay Park, my car broken down on the way there one day, nor did I get to Taupo.
We moved down to the South Island and learn't to drive the Southern tracks with my eyes closed
I enjoyed the street circuits the best

 

[Ken_R]

Digressing somewhat, I once had the opportunity to try out the Denby Road Train, with Terry Rose, as featured in the video, in the passenger seat.

After going through the usual 'turning circle' experience, I then decided to try a full 180 degree reverse, much, I'm sure to Terry's apprehension.

Having a vehicle with two pivot points means that the steering is counter intuitive. I managed it, albeit slowly, without having to come to a halt, and correcting.

Realistically, having tried it, I'd be happy to take that vehicle through even most of the urban 'A' road routes. It is so easy to drive. The second trailer follows as would an initial trailer.