cw42

iTrader: (1)

I've just had a very long chat with Terry Andrew, an advanced driving instructor, amongst other qualifications, about taking us out individually for advanced driving assesments and instruction.

He has 4 places only available at the moment in October, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, each on a wednesday evening.
Start time will be around 7pm, but could be later or earlier, depending on your ability to get there.
Instruction will be around the 2 hour mark, starting at our usual meeting place at the H&H in otterspool. This is negoitiable, but will cost you more if he has to travel further to meet you.

Cost is £18 hour, which is the going rate for "normal" driving lessons.

He will be a passenger in "your" car, he will not drive your car (he isn't insured to anyway) he will sit by your side and either pick your crap driving to pieces, or get out and pray to the driving god that you are

At the end of the first lesson/assesment, he will provide you with a written apraisal of your strengths and weaknesses on the road.

After the first session, if you feel the need, you can then privatly arrange for further tuition/guidance at your own leisure, and dependant on his busy schedule.

I have been out twice with Terry now, and found his comments and assessment very very useful. As soon as I got my car, I knew the key to enjoying it properly was not getting more power, better brakes or gadgets, but to improve my hazard awareness, my road sense and my confidence in my own abilities. (of course, that hasn't stopped me getting more power, bigger brakes, better suspension and gadgets )

If you've never been out with an instructor since you passed your test, I can highly recommend this, Terry is a very easy going bloke, and only wants to better your skills, to improve your safety and enjoyment on the open road.

Post your interest on here, FIRST COME FIRST SERVED FOR THE FIRST 4 PLACES.
Depending on interest, more places may become available in November/December.

Chris.

Picture of Terry, second from the left (grizzly adams lookalike! dont tell him I said that! )

Apple

or sign up for the IAM Advanced Driving Course like I'm on at the moment - 12 weeks tuition and classes, membership and test for 85 quid

cw42

iTrader: (1)

thanks apple, but this is more than the IAM can offer. I've been out with an IAM instructor, and although what they teach is all excellent stuff, Terry goes further, and doesn't hold you back.
Of course, as an introduction to advanced driving, this would be a good oppurtunity in itself, to at least see if the individual had the concentration and focus to take thier "hobby" to the next level and beyond.
Hope you do well on your course, when do you finish?
chris.

Apple

I've only been on a week or two - it's due to finish the back end of November (just wait, it'll be in snow for my test knowing my luck )

at the mo the IAM stuff is a bit frustrating in certain aspects and hopefully it'll get a bit more "real world" as we get further into it... - I suppose |I'm still finding out the do's and don'ts but it's "an opportunity" changing from your own driving "style" into another one...


Andy

cw42

iTrader: (1)

You've hit the nail on the head there apple I also found the draconian "stick to speed limits" at all times very frustrating. Thats not to say that I go everywhere at warp speed, but the IAM are heavily biased towards much safer driving.
chris.

supertouring

Defo up for this CW, but the way work is at the moment I can not guarantee that I will be available on specific dates, esp Weds. Best if I leave it till later in the year, may have new car by then also.

I did a defensive driving course with work a few years ago, which was interesting, but basically covered observation, saftey and maintaining a sensible speed for the roads & conditions. Learnt quite a bit but old habbits die hard!

Apple

"snap" - exactly

I'm not against safe driving but I'm at the stage where religiously sticking to 30 at all times (on 30 limit roads ) makes me mentally switch off as you're being forced to over-concentrate on the speedo and even on the runs I've done so far, not "going with the flow" gets others p*****d off. I can see where this would be far easier to do in a seriously underpowered car... A PPP bugeye with suspension mods for better handling goes against the ethics at the moment

I know the system will class this as an attitude problem and my fault so it's how long I rebel before I conform

The other bit that gets me when I'm in rebellious mode is the "we're always right so you're wrong" moral high ground from some areas...

Anyway, rant over and I'll keep going with the lessons - we've got the skid pan training in a week or two so should be a bit different

Andy

Barnesy

Chris, I'm up for this, please could you put me down for the 6th as I'm on earlies that week.
Cheers
Stu

cw42

iTrader: (1)

apple, I know what you mean m8, good luck with the course. I am still trying to get access to a skid pan locally, but not much luck so far, although *****, supertouring, madscientist and steelx just use our track day sessions for skid training

barnesy, your on m8.

LIST:

october 6th: barnesy
october 13th: available
october 20th: available
october 27th: available
chris.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

bttt for the smacs lads
come on guys, this is a chance to develope your skills. much cheaper than adding more power to your car, and makes it go quicker

chris.

chaz456

I'll take the oct 20th lesson if thats ok?

Charlie.

*Sonic*

Chris

I hope he doesnt sound like Brian Blessed , cos he certainly looks like him from those pics

cw42

iTrader: (1)

chaz, you wont regret it m8, your in

LIST:

october 6th: barnesy
october 13th: available
october 20th: chaz456
october 27th: available
chris.

chaz456

SORTED!!!!

Charlie.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

ok, sorry guys, just got a call off terry. Because I've not been in touch about those dates, he has rebooked them for other lessons
He's going to get back to me with alternative dates, but it's looking like november now
My fault, I have been busy lately, and it slipped my mind. The lessons are still on, you'll just have to wait until he comes up with alternative dates,
sorry,
chris.

Beefy

I'm sure you will be forgiven, now put that PDA to better use!

chaz456

No problem!

Charlie

cw42

iTrader: (1)

hehe, thanks beefy, I know. Bit of a misunderstanding on both sides I think.
Terry gave me the dates, and said he would be free then, I was going to contact him this week and let him know he had takers for at least 2 dates.
Nevermind.
I'm out with him on sunday, may take the dv camera along for the evening, let you know what to expect.
chris.

Andy S.

What time chris. is three in a car too much, I could shout at you as well!!!!!

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Your not coming too andy! I'm trying to learn to drive as good/better than you, don't wont you knowing any secret techniques I learn
chris.