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2010/09/15 20:23:08
Luke

Suggestions to improve driver skill

Seeing as my car is getting close to completion I have been thinking about improving the driver. What are some god types of events to attend. I have been giving two schools of thought with the blokes I intend to compete with.I have never driving anything with 200hp let alone a something stripped out and with more[:I]

1. Just get out there and poo poo yourself when every one goes blasting past you will learn quicker.

2. Go do some first and second gear work around witches hats to learn some car control.

Thoughts please
20 comments Leave a comment
maxrs
Football season is all most over.
Just don't use the cricket oval now.

Option 2 is a safe bet, But.
A defencive driving coarse is great with rustproofing as well.
The V8 experience is a very cheap way to get a run. with a tutor in the passenger seat.
2010/09/15 20:52:13
Sterling
see if u can let yourself loose on a skid pan..

thats the way i learen't to drive, without saying to much ive pulled off some pretty risky stuff...

all the free time i had, when i was at home before i got P's i would drive around my parents driveway/property, and when it was raining, i would go nuts.. nearly smacked up my escort atleast 5 times, but now i can handle any unexpected loss of traction
2010/09/15 21:14:08
Simon
If you haven't been to any sprint/track days, go along to afew as a spectator first and see what it's all about. Have a chat to a few competitors - most are only too willing to offer helpful hints for your first time out.

Once you think you've got it sussed, just dive in, but if you can do your first event with a few friends it makes it much more enjoyable - swapping stories is what it's all about.

You won't be driving at ten tenths on your first time out, nor your second, no matter how much horsepower you have. You will get a feeling of what you can and can't do after every lap and only improve as you go. Your lap times will drop at a very rapid rate to begin with as you become more confident, then you can start experimenting with different lines, braking points and car set up to drop them further.

Just go for you it, you will learn a lot and have a ball.
2010/09/15 21:37:22
eScoRt20
RAC driver training centre days are a lot of fun. big flat open area, so any "off" are just very save-able. theres an instructor there who goes with you in your car to give you tips, and they can mix and match the course around to keep it exciting. around $60 for a half day session too, if i remember rightly.
2010/09/15 21:51:03
esc-078
Just get some driving lessons off maxrs's Mum. Apparently she's as good a driver as Ken Block is. [%]
2010/09/15 22:05:50
maxrs
Ladies do make better drivers, they listen.
2010/09/15 22:59:55
Bloodyeck
Don't have a "Baby on Board" sign affixed to the vehicle. That seems to detract from a person's driving ability.
2010/09/16 08:34:39
digginganddirt
MOTORKHANAS! best why to learn slow car control! then once your happy you can slide/flick/monever the car around at low speed move on to sprint days ect!
2010/09/16 16:31:14
Avon
How about this?

http://www.johnbowedriving.com/pages/general/default.aspx
2010/09/16 18:24:22
PeterM

Come to Sydney and try and drive a 32 year old 1.6 litre Escort panel van in peak hour traffic, and dodging trucks larger than the harbour bridge.

An experience not to be repeated that tests every driving skill that you may, or may not have..
2010/09/16 21:51:25
jpayne
proper car control takes years to master, I would suggest anything that offers cheap 1/2 day car control sessions, especially those associated with motoring groups, not to be worth much. Start young and practice. Or if its too late to start young, then practice.
Finish the car, then go use it in a safe and controlled environment. join a car club and participate, choose one that has a strong competition side and compete. Dont try and win on your first outing, that will probably either damage your car or you and incur the wrath of your club mates. try Motorkanah, as stated above its an excellent skill based/building event which teaches car control, but more importantly car reaction. Most drivers do not know what a sliding car feels like until its too late, in this environment if the cars not sliding your not doing it right, and thus you learn not only how a car reacts but what to do when it does it!
Try sprints as well, these are single car timed events on a circuit. much faster, but there is runoff. Most clubs will not allow you to be too silly, there are rules and behaviour standards, these will be enforced as the clubs cant afford accidents etc as event insurances, licencing and venue hire is expensive enough, and many people have been doing it for years so much knowledge on car control and setup. many run driver 'training' sessions for novices. Try hillclimbs, ost's, kanah crosses etc. Do not try it on the road!
Most of all respect yourself and your car, as well as everyone else out there at the same time and have fun, learn at your pace and dont get willyy, or you will damage your car or yourself!

Cheers,

JP
2010/09/16 21:56:26
whoppa
i did a rally day it was sweet.. a lill different thou it was on dirty and in a sti but sweet fun..
2010/09/16 22:25:32
escort racing
Hi guys,All those comments are all very positive and are all good ones.Santa its not all about horse power,its about driving skills practise makes perfect. dont rush it,It will happen in time.But drive as much as you can in any event,Thats called learning.All the best santa...
2010/09/16 23:24:16
Puzzlescort
join a motorsport orientated car club

most run driver development programs, start off doing say motorkana's,then sprints and progress from there

it all comes down to practice, practice, practice

nothing beats car time
2010/09/17 06:37:53
Luke
Cheers guys for all the replies I think the battle plan is rac driver training for a couple of times. Then move on to sprints but I am being encouraged to race a season next year[:u]. I just feel my car will be outside my capabilities for a fair bit. I am a member of the wa sporting car club and the street car racing assoc that I intend to compete with. The whole idea of just jumping in my car and going racing seems a bit daunting now it is going to be a reality instead of a day dream.
2010/09/17 22:50:52
Avon
quote:
Originally posted by santa
...I am a member of the wa sporting car club and the street car racing assoc


Done / doing any tuning days @ Barbs?

2010/09/18 11:48:00
Luke
If all goes to plan I will be at the tuning days in november an december. Avon are you a member? My intention is to have fun but I do have a bit of a competitive streak but I dont think that will be a bad thing. Whooligan what class are you entering?
2010/09/19 08:47:40
Avon
Yes I'm a member. Stuck to tuning days and (ir)regularities so far though.

You will get a couple of laps with an instructor if you go on a Saturday. Don't worry about people going faster, just be aware of what's coming up behind and wave them through. People don't get aggro unless you do something really stupid and unsafe. Many of the fast guys pack up at midday anyway so be patient and wait until the afternoon.
2010/09/19 12:37:43
Luke
quote:
Originally posted by Avon

Yes I'm a member. Stuck to tuning days and (ir)regularities so far though.

You will get a couple of laps with an instructor if you go on a Saturday. Don't worry about people going faster, just be aware of what's coming up behind and wave them through. People don't get aggro unless you do something really stupid and unsafe. Many of the fast guys pack up at midday anyway so be patient and wait until the afternoon.


This is the real concern getting in someones way. I wasn't aware of a instructor being available. Thanks for the advice.
2010/09/19 18:35:21
jpayne
Santa,
these practice days are fairly controlled events. the guy or girl coming up behind is duty bound to do it safely...its not a race. Most of these days will have the standing order of no overtaking on corners, and only on straights when safe or waved by. If you can safely drive on the road you should be OK on the track. Its a skill all race drivers need anyway to check mirrors, midway between corners to check what's approaching. (or hopefully how far youve pulled away from the competition)
As your a novice when you see them coming plan ahead let them take the appropriate line, let them know your intention wave them through etc.
Be aware look around but dont concentrate solely on others otherwise youll fall off or not enjoy it. At a tune or practice day, nobody should be seting serious times in your group, so dont worry about getting in their way. In my experience Some days are broken into CAMS licence holders and non licence holders sessions so you should be out with similar experienced people.

Just do it!

Cheers,

JP
2010/09/19 19:59:46

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