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Here's a report from the driving experience from yesterday.
Turned up a little early since the traffic was not as bad as I expected, so had a cup of tea. Had some sandwiches for lunch over introductions, and made some general comments about what I would like to achieve.
The car I drove was midnight blue, with grey interior, aero pack, carbon pack large, and 1600 miles on the clock. It was a manual with steel discs, Michelin tyres, standard 420 bhp, standard gear lever with no chrome surround or handbrake.
We got in the car and briefly dicsussed whether I had received any driver training before. I had a 3 hour assessment a couple of years ago primarily to see if I was safe, but no real formal driving tuition. I mentioned that I was sure that there must be areas for improvement.
We had a drive around some of the local roads for 15 mins or so on the way to Millbrook.
I made it about 3 miles before we stopped with the first comments. Rather than drive behind other traffic, the suggestion was to drop further back (I was more than 2 secs anyway, but more like 5+ secs). This gives you more room and the opportunity to assess the conditions ahead, which means that you do not have to brake just because the car in front does and you can plan your actions, i.e. you manage the space around you. Also tied in with this was some discussion about placing the car assertively, but not agressively, on the road.
There was then a question about what I could see, relating to the road, from our position. In my case it was that we were in a layby on a bend, just before a juction, the junction was a one-way road, since the lines on the road had two dotted lines on both sides of the dividing line, plus there was a no-entry sign, the central lines on the road were long with short gaps indicating a hazard, the road was unrestricted (i.e. national limit applies), the long central lines continued past the junction suggesting further hazards ahead or a twisting road, there was a sign on the right and there were white lines down the edges of the road.
I managed OK on this, except that I did it in the wrong order. I should have started with what was furthest away first.
The other comment was not to rush the gear changes, but to make then slightly slower and focus on smoothness and matching the revs more accurately. The smoothness is partly down to not being too familiar with the car (it wasn't bad, just that it could be better).
We drove for a few more miles (through a bit of a downpour) assesing road position, gear selection and general observation, before arriving at Millbrook.
Having signed in, it was noted that I needed to change the seat position, one click closer with the back a little less reclined. Additionally I was holding the steering wheel incorrectly - I was trying to hold it with both hands rather than my habit of driving with one hand only, but rather than 10 to 2, quarter to three was recommended with my thumbs on the spokes.
It was also noted that I did not turn the wheel smoothly enough - which is something that I had not noticed myself, but after having is pointed out is true.
The application of the brakes was also not as smooth as it could be. Whilst you can press them as hard as you like, the initial application, i.e. the transition from not braking to braking, should be hard to detect.
I was beginning to wonder if I should have said I just wanted to have a laugh and don't be too critical - but the comments were all constructive. It is a bit tough when you realise you can't steer, change gear, brake or even get the bl00dy seat right.
We then progressed to the hill route. This is fantastic. All the corners are different with significant height changes. There are a couple of key corners where you need to know what you are doing to avoid a heart beat quickening moment.
The surface was wet and I find it hard to judge how much grip there is, so I did not go particularly quickly, but focussed on smoothness, braking points, selecting the correct line and applying the power appropriately.
I was tending to leave everything too late, so that the car was not settled when turning in, and either turn in too early or late.
At the end the instructor did a lap at quite a decent speed to demonstrate what is possible with a little (or more likely, a lot of) practice. It lifted a front tyre on one of the corners and was definitely moving around on the tyres, but the balance and composure was very impressive. My ham-fisted attempts would not have been suitable for that level of speed and some car-armco interaction would have occured.
This really highlighted to me that I need to get some additional tuition and spend some time practicing.
Since I asked about the PSM, we then went and did some doughnuts a piece of apron. This was made easier by the wet conditions. What was surprising was how easy is was, how controllable the car is (if you have the space) and how much inertia is in the wheels - once they are spinning is takes some time for them to get grip when you dip the clutch.
With PSM re-engaged, it was not possible to get seriously out of shape. Even a lead-footed idiot could control it.
Next was the 1 mile straight. Rather than use this for land speed record attempts (since it was wet), although we managed 140ish mph, I spent some time braking.
I braked repeatedly from 100-0, feeling for the threshold, the point at where the ABS is just about to cut in. I also did some emergency stops, you can do this with your hands off the wheel and the car will stop dead straight.
Additionally I tried steering while the ABS was working and it is remarkably easy, with the steering not weighting up much at all.
Once the brakes had been allowed to cool, we went to the handling circuit, which is a loop of varying corners that are mostly on the flat. It is made of concrete and pushing too hard seemed unwise.
Finally we had the high speed circuit. The outer lane is set up so that you do not need to steer at 97mph. I mananged a 2 mile lap without touching the wheel (although my hands were only a few centimeters away, just in case).
Without crash helmets and with other cars on there, the limit is 130, so I went roudn a few times at 130 ish.
That was pretty much it and we then headed back to the hotel meeting point.
At millbrook at the same time were loads of caravans. Some caravan magazine was doing a group test to assess the best vehicle for towing them. They did not get in the way.
An AM Vanquish turned up just as I was leaving. It was disguised with tape, which seems strange since you can go and look at one in the showroom.
Just time for a cup of tea and a chat, and that was that. 4 hours used up.
You get out of it what you want and you just need to take the comments positively. Whilst I'm not a bad driver, it is still humbling to have all your weakness pointed out. What I should have done is ask if there were any strengths (I must be good at something?).
Turned up a little early since the traffic was not as bad as I expected, so had a cup of tea. Had some sandwiches for lunch over introductions, and made some general comments about what I would like to achieve.
The car I drove was midnight blue, with grey interior, aero pack, carbon pack large, and 1600 miles on the clock. It was a manual with steel discs, Michelin tyres, standard 420 bhp, standard gear lever with no chrome surround or handbrake.
We got in the car and briefly dicsussed whether I had received any driver training before. I had a 3 hour assessment a couple of years ago primarily to see if I was safe, but no real formal driving tuition. I mentioned that I was sure that there must be areas for improvement.
We had a drive around some of the local roads for 15 mins or so on the way to Millbrook.
I made it about 3 miles before we stopped with the first comments. Rather than drive behind other traffic, the suggestion was to drop further back (I was more than 2 secs anyway, but more like 5+ secs). This gives you more room and the opportunity to assess the conditions ahead, which means that you do not have to brake just because the car in front does and you can plan your actions, i.e. you manage the space around you. Also tied in with this was some discussion about placing the car assertively, but not agressively, on the road.
There was then a question about what I could see, relating to the road, from our position. In my case it was that we were in a layby on a bend, just before a juction, the junction was a one-way road, since the lines on the road had two dotted lines on both sides of the dividing line, plus there was a no-entry sign, the central lines on the road were long with short gaps indicating a hazard, the road was unrestricted (i.e. national limit applies), the long central lines continued past the junction suggesting further hazards ahead or a twisting road, there was a sign on the right and there were white lines down the edges of the road.
I managed OK on this, except that I did it in the wrong order. I should have started with what was furthest away first.
The other comment was not to rush the gear changes, but to make then slightly slower and focus on smoothness and matching the revs more accurately. The smoothness is partly down to not being too familiar with the car (it wasn't bad, just that it could be better).
We drove for a few more miles (through a bit of a downpour) assesing road position, gear selection and general observation, before arriving at Millbrook.
Having signed in, it was noted that I needed to change the seat position, one click closer with the back a little less reclined. Additionally I was holding the steering wheel incorrectly - I was trying to hold it with both hands rather than my habit of driving with one hand only, but rather than 10 to 2, quarter to three was recommended with my thumbs on the spokes.
It was also noted that I did not turn the wheel smoothly enough - which is something that I had not noticed myself, but after having is pointed out is true.
The application of the brakes was also not as smooth as it could be. Whilst you can press them as hard as you like, the initial application, i.e. the transition from not braking to braking, should be hard to detect.
I was beginning to wonder if I should have said I just wanted to have a laugh and don't be too critical - but the comments were all constructive. It is a bit tough when you realise you can't steer, change gear, brake or even get the bl00dy seat right.
We then progressed to the hill route. This is fantastic. All the corners are different with significant height changes. There are a couple of key corners where you need to know what you are doing to avoid a heart beat quickening moment.
The surface was wet and I find it hard to judge how much grip there is, so I did not go particularly quickly, but focussed on smoothness, braking points, selecting the correct line and applying the power appropriately.
I was tending to leave everything too late, so that the car was not settled when turning in, and either turn in too early or late.
At the end the instructor did a lap at quite a decent speed to demonstrate what is possible with a little (or more likely, a lot of) practice. It lifted a front tyre on one of the corners and was definitely moving around on the tyres, but the balance and composure was very impressive. My ham-fisted attempts would not have been suitable for that level of speed and some car-armco interaction would have occured.
This really highlighted to me that I need to get some additional tuition and spend some time practicing.
Since I asked about the PSM, we then went and did some doughnuts a piece of apron. This was made easier by the wet conditions. What was surprising was how easy is was, how controllable the car is (if you have the space) and how much inertia is in the wheels - once they are spinning is takes some time for them to get grip when you dip the clutch.
With PSM re-engaged, it was not possible to get seriously out of shape. Even a lead-footed idiot could control it.
Next was the 1 mile straight. Rather than use this for land speed record attempts (since it was wet), although we managed 140ish mph, I spent some time braking.
I braked repeatedly from 100-0, feeling for the threshold, the point at where the ABS is just about to cut in. I also did some emergency stops, you can do this with your hands off the wheel and the car will stop dead straight.
Additionally I tried steering while the ABS was working and it is remarkably easy, with the steering not weighting up much at all.
Once the brakes had been allowed to cool, we went to the handling circuit, which is a loop of varying corners that are mostly on the flat. It is made of concrete and pushing too hard seemed unwise.
Finally we had the high speed circuit. The outer lane is set up so that you do not need to steer at 97mph. I mananged a 2 mile lap without touching the wheel (although my hands were only a few centimeters away, just in case).
Without crash helmets and with other cars on there, the limit is 130, so I went roudn a few times at 130 ish.
That was pretty much it and we then headed back to the hotel meeting point.
At millbrook at the same time were loads of caravans. Some caravan magazine was doing a group test to assess the best vehicle for towing them. They did not get in the way.
An AM Vanquish turned up just as I was leaving. It was disguised with tape, which seems strange since you can go and look at one in the showroom.
Just time for a cup of tea and a chat, and that was that. 4 hours used up.
You get out of it what you want and you just need to take the comments positively. Whilst I'm not a bad driver, it is still humbling to have all your weakness pointed out. What I should have done is ask if there were any strengths (I must be good at something?).
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