how good a driver are you?
20 February 2005, 08:38 PM
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how good a driver are you?
how do you rate your own driving ability? how many years driving?
I think ive got a good feel for the car when its approaching its limits(a lot of driving like a fool in my younger days) and can stay close to the edge and chuck the car about a bit(touch wood) but my lines through corners could be better/smoother.
Ive been driving 19 years and have built up to quick cars over the years having driven(amongst others)
skoda rapid rally car spec(most fun car ive ever driven)
mk 1 astra gte(white of course)
cav mk2 sri130(bit tweeked)
maestro mg 2.0(lot tweeked)
montego turbo
maestro turbo(self build from both the above-lots of tweeks about 200 bhp)
205 gti 1.9(light tweekage)
3 legacy turbos latest one prob about 240-250 horses
living in an area where you can have fun with no camera risks helps mind
richie
I think ive got a good feel for the car when its approaching its limits(a lot of driving like a fool in my younger days) and can stay close to the edge and chuck the car about a bit(touch wood) but my lines through corners could be better/smoother.
Ive been driving 19 years and have built up to quick cars over the years having driven(amongst others)
skoda rapid rally car spec(most fun car ive ever driven)
mk 1 astra gte(white of course)
cav mk2 sri130(bit tweeked)
maestro mg 2.0(lot tweeked)
montego turbo
maestro turbo(self build from both the above-lots of tweeks about 200 bhp)
205 gti 1.9(light tweekage)
3 legacy turbos latest one prob about 240-250 horses
living in an area where you can have fun with no camera risks helps mind
richie
20 February 2005, 09:45 PM
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if im honest i would say average, i do know that most people belive there above average when there not 
but i would say that ive tried stuff that the average person doesnt have the ***** to do, i can heel/toe etc etc, slide and such, what i really want to lear now is "feinting" (sp?)
but its pretty stupid to be doing that on a public road so i will save myself for sumwhere private
been driving only 10 years but ive spent 9 of them right on the edge (and plenty of times past it lol)
but i would say that ive tried stuff that the average person doesnt have the ***** to do, i can heel/toe etc etc, slide and such, what i really want to lear now is "feinting" (sp?)
but its pretty stupid to be doing that on a public road so i will save myself for sumwhere private
been driving only 10 years but ive spent 9 of them right on the edge (and plenty of times past it lol)
20 February 2005, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by StickyMicky
if im honest i would say average, i do know that most people belive there above average when there not
but i would say that ive tried stuff that the average person doesnt have the ***** to do, i can heel/toe etc etc, slide and such, what i really want to lear now is "feinting" (sp?)
but its pretty stupid to be doing that on a public road so i will save myself for sumwhere private
been driving only 10 years but ive spent 9 of them right on the edge (and plenty of times past it lol)
but i would say that ive tried stuff that the average person doesnt have the ***** to do, i can heel/toe etc etc, slide and such, what i really want to lear now is "feinting" (sp?)
but its pretty stupid to be doing that on a public road so i will save myself for sumwhere private
been driving only 10 years but ive spent 9 of them right on the edge (and plenty of times past it lol)
no risk to the public and i think it helped me out once or twice
wouldnt catch me doing it now though cos its prolly illegal
richie
20 February 2005, 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by richieh
live 5 miles from an old airfeild so we used to practise our 'skills' there
no risk to the public and i think it helped me out once or twice
wouldnt catch me doing it now though cos its prolly illegal
richie
no risk to the public and i think it helped me out once or twice
wouldnt catch me doing it now though cos its prolly illegal
richie
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21 February 2005, 03:26 AM
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[pedantic]
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
21 February 2005, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Brit_in_Japan
[pedantic]
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
this way it allows everyone to describe their own strenghths/weakness on the road in whatever area they think is important.
so it should show both what people think is good driving and also how they rate themselves-make sense?
richie
21 February 2005, 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by richieh
live 5 miles from an old airfeild so we used to practise our 'skills' there
no risk to the public and i think it helped me out once or twice
wouldnt catch me doing it now though cos its prolly illegal
richie
no risk to the public and i think it helped me out once or twice
wouldnt catch me doing it now though cos its prolly illegal
richie
Have you tried your hand at that?
21 February 2005, 09:21 AM
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I'd say I am pretty fair on the public roads. Passed the IAM over 10 years ago, also have cat C and C+E and plan to get round to doing my motorbike this year if I can find the time.
Never been on a track and expect I would be very slow compared to many on here.
Never been on a track and expect I would be very slow compared to many on here.
21 February 2005, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by The 13th Duke of Wybourne
Richie - Bridgend Automobile Club use part of Llandow where they organise autotests. They also use Ewenny woods in the better weather.
Have you tried your hand at that?
Have you tried your hand at that?
wouldnt mind a go but suspect i'd be crap
is it a regular thing or just events through the year?
richie
21 February 2005, 09:57 AM
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So fast and dangerous means good or above average eh ?
I'm average, yes I break the speed limit sometimes, but I'm in no hurry to get to the boneyard.
I'm average, yes I break the speed limit sometimes, but I'm in no hurry to get to the boneyard.
21 February 2005, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Apparition
So fast and dangerous means good or above average eh ?
I'm average, yes I break the speed limit sometimes, but I'm in no hurry to get to the boneyard.
I'm average, yes I break the speed limit sometimes, but I'm in no hurry to get to the boneyard.
a better than average driver would be one who knows what those limits are
richie
21 February 2005, 11:21 AM
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Driving 13 years - 3 points and one half decent accident when I was 18. Learnt my lesson and since then 0 points and 0 accidents.
So I guess its a question of what constitutes a good driver?
Someone who can do special moves on the track or someone who has a proven record as not being a risk to other drivers on the real roads... If you're both then you're good...
If your just one of these well it depends where you spend most of your time...
Eg if you have 9 points and have had a few accidents that are your fault, and can heel and toe and do donuts BUT spend most of your time on the queens highways then you are not a good driver.
If like me you are clean and safe on the queens highways but would crash on lap one on the track BUT spend most of your time on the track then you are not a good driver...
Horses for courses me thinks...You knows it...
So I guess its a question of what constitutes a good driver?
Someone who can do special moves on the track or someone who has a proven record as not being a risk to other drivers on the real roads... If you're both then you're good...
If your just one of these well it depends where you spend most of your time...
Eg if you have 9 points and have had a few accidents that are your fault, and can heel and toe and do donuts BUT spend most of your time on the queens highways then you are not a good driver.
If like me you are clean and safe on the queens highways but would crash on lap one on the track BUT spend most of your time on the track then you are not a good driver...
Horses for courses me thinks...You knows it...
21 February 2005, 12:29 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Brit_in_Japan
[pedantic]
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
I suppose I have to ask the question "what do you mean by a good driver" ?
Good as in safe? Good as in fast? Good as in smooth? Good as in mechanically sympathetic? Good as in never breaking speed limits?
Just wondered what you had in mind when phrasing the question.
[/pedantic]
Men are about as likely to admit they are below average drivers as they are likely to admit they are below average lovers.
My thoughts exactly - bit of a crap and vaigue question IMO....which is why I put my verdict in the eyes (or lens) of the speed camera that may catch me one day if I don't see it in time
As that will be what is judging me 
So to re-iterate the original topic:
Am I a safe driver? I leave massive distances between the cars in front and double it in the wet ane even mre in ice/snow. Unlike 99% of the population. I'm alert and highly aware so I see the talivans and cameras in time, I also notice the pr*ck of a moped rider in my blindspot. I do the "live saver" (checking over shoulders) even when driving cars. I'm always watching what is happening 10 cars ahead, if I can. I slow and cover barkes for blind/partially blind junctions. I don't drive in other people blind spots, I do not drive alongside trucks, unless overtaking, I also give them room on islands. Most of the time I'm calm, I don't let the ego get in the way, I do not bite let all the other fools get on with stressing theselves out. And shed loads more stuff.
So am I good? No!
Am I mechanically sympathetic? I normally have problems which not using my brakes enough (right speed for the circumstance..thus who needs the brakes? ). The clutch has an easy life with me compared to most drivers. I maybe a bit hard the gearbox on standing starts though, but during normal driving I change gear smoother than an auto - less shock loads, less wear. I'm good on tyre wear too, I don't push the car to the limits all the time.
Still a good driver? No!
Am I good as in fast? Yes, on a track. No place for driving on the limit on the roads
Am I smooth? No sick passengers to my record...except for myself, which I doubt was my own driving that caused it (bloody prawn volavons
) Never breaks speed limits? No, time and place and conditions dictate. But where as you might catch me doing 80 in a 60 or 90 on a motorway. You'll rarely catch me over 35 in town. And where I may do 90 on an clear dry motorway. I won't be one of the numpties in tha 3rd lane at rush hour in the pouring rain 10feet from each other's bumper at 80.
Does that mean I can say I'm a good driver? No!
why?
Because who am I to judge my own abilities?
And admitting your qualities whilst being blind to you faults and bad habits. Makes you far worse than the people who admit they are bad drivers.
<fin>
Last edited by ALi-B; 21 February 2005 at 12:35 PM.
21 February 2005, 01:03 PM
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There are so many different types of driving that the only way really is to refer your skills to the style you are using at the time.
I suppose you could mark the most complete driver who has the widest selection of skills which apply to as many different styles as possible.
That takes a lot of experience and also quite a long time to be able to cover all that. You may well have a good deal of natural ability but you still have to learn how to use it to the best advantage. It takes the interest and the will to learn to be able to broaden your skills to be able to become an above average all rounder.
Rithieh,
Is LLandow still as bumpy as it used to be when I used to race there? We used to say it was like driving over a continuous series of bad level crossings!
Les
I suppose you could mark the most complete driver who has the widest selection of skills which apply to as many different styles as possible.
That takes a lot of experience and also quite a long time to be able to cover all that. You may well have a good deal of natural ability but you still have to learn how to use it to the best advantage. It takes the interest and the will to learn to be able to broaden your skills to be able to become an above average all rounder.
Rithieh,
Is LLandow still as bumpy as it used to be when I used to race there? We used to say it was like driving over a continuous series of bad level crossings!
Les
21 February 2005, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ALi-B
Agreed.
My thoughts exactly - bit of a crap and vaigue question IMO....which is why I put my verdict in the eyes (or lens) of the speed camera that may catch me one day if I don't see it in time As that will be what is judging me
<fin>
My thoughts exactly - bit of a crap and vaigue question IMO....which is why I put my verdict in the eyes (or lens) of the speed camera that may catch me one day if I don't see it in time
As that will be what is judging me <fin>
so perhaps an attempt to identify driver type against percieved ability ie do all boy racers think they are fangio or do all the pslewis types drive like miss daisey
richie
21 February 2005, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Leslie
Rithieh,
Is LLandow still as bumpy as it used to be when I used to race there? We used to say it was like driving over a continuous series of bad level crossings!
Les
the perimiter roads are now truely aweful
ex racer as well as bomber pilot?
what did you used to race?
richie
21 February 2005, 01:17 PM
#29
Originally Posted by richieh
deliberate attempt at a vauge question because it allows everyone to define good for themselves thereby showing what they consider to be 'good driving'
so perhaps an attempt to identify driver type against percieved ability ie do all boy racers think they are fangio or do all the pslewis types drive like miss daisey
richie
so perhaps an attempt to identify driver type against percieved ability ie do all boy racers think they are fangio or do all the pslewis types drive like miss daisey
richie
Ahh, understood
Regards
Miss Daisy
21 February 2005, 01:36 PM
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I agree with ALi-B post #24.
To add my bit. Do passengers, who are also drivers, feel confident enough to fall asleep while you are driving? That can say something about your driving.
I've also come to the conclusion that, whether on the public road or competition, while you must always be "intellectually" aware of your speed, if it "feels" fast you are probably going too fast for your mental capacity to process the information coming at you.
To add my bit. Do passengers, who are also drivers, feel confident enough to fall asleep while you are driving? That can say something about your driving.
I've also come to the conclusion that, whether on the public road or competition, while you must always be "intellectually" aware of your speed, if it "feels" fast you are probably going too fast for your mental capacity to process the information coming at you.