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Driver Instruction... Pros and Cons

Discussion in 'Australia' started by ferrarifixer, Aug 25, 2005.

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  1. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #1 ferrarifixer, Aug 25, 2005
    So with another very expensive car getting damaged while on a closed road in a competitive event, why are driving intructors not better used.

    Of course, I'll promote Allan Simonsen here, as I know him and he has huge experience in this subject.... but why are you not beating guys like his door down for lessons....

    There are far too many examples of how accidents can be avoided to list here...

    But lets just go with Fchatters...

    Stephens... why use Allan.. what has he done for you...

    360C... tell us about that time at Calder when he saved it... from the passengers seat, and anything else you picked up

    348CH... you've done a fair bit of instruction yourself.... what did you learn from him just the other day in the Caterham....

    AHG... (get well soon), tell us what you have witnessed/learned...

    So.. with a full day 1 on 1 instruction costing less than a pair of tyres... why do you (we) all think we don't need lessons to drive these ballistic cars in anger....
     
  2. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #2 ashsimmonds, Aug 25, 2005
    so you've told us who the pros are, now who are the cons???
     
  3. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #3 ferrarifixer, Aug 25, 2005
    well that's just it... I can't think of any... (yes I get your joke, but you can do better than that...!)
     
  4. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 moretti, Aug 25, 2005
    360C once said that driver education was the cheapest way to improve your lap times but to a certain extent I agree with scud that on the OPEN hwy it can only do so much. You need to learn to read the road ahead a lot better in these events and even good nav notes won't fully prepare you for it.

    I still intend to do another drivers course at Frank Gardiner's track just up the road because you can never know it all and I believe you need continual track time to be ANY good at all which is probably why Allan is so good with all his track time and racing .

    But with all this said I still saw PF spin his spider at QLD RCWY a few years ago and he had done plenty of track time and 360C had a fright in his 360 so even the more gifted drivers can still come unstuck, it's easy done at the speeds these things can do.
     
  5. vroomgt

    vroomgt Formula 3

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    #5 vroomgt, Aug 25, 2005
    [

    I still intend to do another drivers course at Frank Gardiner's track

    Dont waste your time JM! Never met a race driver who can TELL you what there doing in a manner that makes sense to you or I.

    When you want to go ill put you unto someone local who is a gifted driver, can pass on knowledge, and yes is really quite handsome.
     
  6. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 Aircon, Aug 25, 2005
    The best course I ever did was a motorbike course at Broadford. That taught me more about driving cars and working out corners/braking etc than any number of driving courses I'd done before, or have done since.

    They spent a lot of time explaining the "physics" of what makes a corner, how to take a corner, what camber changes on the road can do, elevation changes...everything! AND.......i didn't fall off.
     
  7. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 moretti, Aug 25, 2005
    I've already been out with you :D
     
  8. scud

    scud F1 World Champ

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    #8 scud, Aug 25, 2005
    we live too far away

    rock on alice 06 ( 11 months to go )
     
  9. RichardG

    RichardG Karting
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    #9 RichardG, Aug 25, 2005
     
  10. scud

    scud F1 World Champ

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    #10 scud, Aug 25, 2005
     
  11. mhh

    mhh F1 Veteran

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    #11 mhh, Aug 25, 2005
    At really high speeds, isn't it down to luck? I can't see a driving instructor giving tips how to handle a car at 300kph. He's more likely to suggest slowing down a bit!

    The issue here is whether you want to improve your lap time or avoid accidents. I suspect the tuition will vary according to your objective.
     
  12. RMV

    RMV F1 Veteran

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    #12 RMV, Aug 25, 2005
     
  13. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #13 ferrarifixer, Aug 25, 2005
    Scud. Oz is made small by cheap flights... what price your car/life... and no, that's not an overstatement.... Just go back a few months with Fchatter Ben and his fatal Carrera GT crash. Morbid but true.

    Of course, there's always good guys to instruct up there in QLD too.

    I'd even highly recommend the Holden (hoight SPUT) Performance driving school at Paul Morris' place. Wayne Park can handle a car well enough too, and you'd be surprised how many pro drivers would be accessible when asked.

    Craig Baird is a champ and lives up your way. He'd show you what you can and can't do in your car for one, and there's many options.

    Seriously, get some instruction. All of you with fast cars.
     
  14. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 Aircon, Aug 25, 2005
    Of course, that had NOTHING to do with his driving, so it has nothing to do with the topic in hand.
     
  15. scud

    scud F1 World Champ

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    #15 scud, Aug 25, 2005
    ff i drive like a pu**y around town,honest. that's why i never get booked by the cops for speeding in the GT2 or CS even though everyone asks me how many points i have left like they think i'm due to lose my license.
    true but he only had a normal 3 point belt on. would he of survived with a proper harness?? we will never know. i was and still am very sad with what happened but i wear the proper gear on the track. the alice thing was something very dangerous i know but we survived. as i said before i respect speed more than you know. the cars were put on the hoist before i left to make sure every bolt was tight and i even did alignments to double check what factory settings should be for travelling warp speed. when i was there i checked tyre pressures daily , oil etc. i was as best equipped as possible. thanks for your concerns
     
  16. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #16 ferrarifixer, Aug 25, 2005
    Every accident could be either avoided or lessened with a greater understanding of your car's capabilities and handling tendences.

    Mechanical checks are just the start.

    I think what you need scud, is for a demonstration.

    At your next track day, arrange for a pro (Allan if poss) to be there. You drive your car until you're happy with your safety and speed. Then get Allan to sit next to you while you drive the way he tells you.

    If you don't learn anything and/or feel safer.... I'll pay for the flights and EVERYTHING. Even your fuel, tyres and what the hell... BRAKES... on your CS.

    That's how confident I am that there is benefit for you and or anyone.
     
  17. scud

    scud F1 World Champ

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    #17 scud, Aug 25, 2005
    i believe you. i had fitzy in my GT3 a month ago and he helped me gain a full second on my best lap at warwick. now i'm only 2 secs behind a 02 le mans GT3 RS on slickswith500hp and pushing 1200kg. i've got him real scared. can't wait for the cup car at the end of this year. on that i'll be at sandown sept 10 in thepits kicking the tyres on all the cup cars and trying to get the best deal on one
     
  18. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #18 ashsimmonds, Aug 25, 2005
    nobody's disputing that, but when unknown terrain is coming at you nearly 100 metres per second you've already booked your tickets to hell and just hoping the flight is cancelled

    but yeah, i do intend to get some professional instruction, always have.
     
  19. FFOUR

    FFOUR F1 Veteran

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    #19 FFOUR, Aug 25, 2005
    I drove an MR2 Spyder (with sequential 'box :D ) around some cones a few years back next to Wanneroo Raceway - does that count? :)
     
  20. RMV

    RMV F1 Veteran

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    #20 RMV, Aug 25, 2005

    Good to hear!!! You followed my advice I gather! ;)
     
  21. vroomgt

    vroomgt Formula 3

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    #21 vroomgt, Aug 25, 2005
    Didnt mean to confuse you!

    I meant Rodney at Roadcraft!
     
  22. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 moretti, Aug 25, 2005

    I was just having a laugh, baby keeping you up ?
     
  23. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #23 ashsimmonds, Aug 25, 2005
    the teacher told me "toddlers are not a floatation device". spoil sport
     
  24. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 moretti, Aug 25, 2005
    that's all babies are good for ....
     
  25. vroomgt

    vroomgt Formula 3

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    #25 vroomgt, Aug 25, 2005
    No, im looking for tach needles!
     
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