Driver Training

[ms700]

After talking to MISSXR, I am interested in organising a driver training day for the site somewhere is NSW. I have made several enquiries in relation to this, and there seems to be a few ways we can go.

I would like some thoughts and critisicsms from fellow members. Has anybody done any sort of defensive driver training? Do they recommend anyone? Is anybody else keen to do a defensive driver training day?

Please post your thoughts and ideas here!

[Falchoon]

There may be something available at Wakefield, handy for ACT people and not too far for Sydneyites. Do the Bates' do stuff like this Mick?

[ms700]

There may be something available at Wakefield, handy for ACT people and not too far for Sydneyites. Do the Bates' do stuff like this Mick?

I will ask the boys next time I am over. Good thinking 99!

Im sure somebody here would have done some sort of driver train day at the Creek or Oran Park, just a matter of waiting for their replys and thoughts.

I would also like to hear from Plonky, VG etc, im sure they could recommend some quality driver training courses to us.

[KrasH]

A friend of mine did the BMW driver training, driving BMW M3's all day (Was 38 degreees ambient temperature, and the M3's didn't miss a beat), at Oran Park a few weeks/months ago. The had the usual briefing, skid pan stuff, slalom etc stuff, hot laps etc. Apparently the next one of these at Oran Park is in March. I think the price he said was around the $900 for the day, and he said that the hot lap with one of the instructors (who decided to do some nifty drifting work after asking politely) was worth the money by itself.

Would be good if something like this could be organised for us XR6T folk. Maybe make an approach to Ford. Don't they do driving training days for FPV owners? Or is this just bulldust. Anyways, if something can be organised, I'll certainly try and be in it.

[KrasH]

There may be something available at Wakefield, handy for ACT people and not too far for Sydneyites. Do the Bates' do stuff like this Mick?

I will ask the boys next time I am over. Good thinking 99!

Im sure somebody here would have done some sort of driver train day at the Creek or Oran Park, just a matter of waiting for their replys and thoughts.

I would also like to hear from Plonky, VG etc, im sure they could recommend some quality driver training courses to us.

This might be valid. Isn't the ACT governement (could be BS) thinking of allowing Public access to the Police Driving Skid pad and track, here in Canberra.

[Guest PaulM]

ACT government are supposed to be considering that, could do with some lobbying to help them with their decision.

NSW Police have a brilliant training set up in Goulburn, could also be worth approaching.

Wakefield park is also an option. Could rent the entire track for a day and arrange our own instructors. I have contacts at NSW police acedemy and could approach their instructors re "moonlighting". It would be a good PR excercise for NSW police force.

And believe it or not, AAMI are offering free advanced driver training ( don't know how advanced) to offspring of those insured with them, am not sure about those insured though.

This is something I would be keen to see happening and am prepared to put in any effort required to see it happen. Would possibly underwrite the costs of renting venue/instructors on speculation of breaking even.

I completed numerous courses during the old Amaroo park days (Anyone here remember Amaroo Park?) when I was frotunate to live directly accross the road from it. Well worth doing, not just for skills but confidence and attitude as well.

Lets make this happen, regasrdless of how well any of us thinks they can drive, we can always improve our skills and techniques.

[RK2707]

I've done a few days of driver training in previous years and I tell ya it is well worth it.

Like Paul M I have done them at Amaroo and at Oran Park & I feel they are a real confidence booster and really opens your eyes to the dangers we can face in everyday driving.

As far as I am aware Ian Luff runs a school at Oran Park and theres another one going by the name of Bill Hartnett Industrial Road Safety who ran the ones at Amaroo years back but I think they are now run at Quakers Hill where the DECA site is for heavy vehicle driver training.

It's well worth looking into doing it. I support it 100%.

[God666]

Did one about three years ago at Amaroo. About $290 for the day and worth every cent. It makes you realise what a complete bas*ard most drivers are (you get to watch the other students in action). ie. most have no concept of how to emergency brake with a vehicle fitted with ABS etc.

It rained the entire day I was there and that made the day even better. Normally they water the track for particular sessions but an entirely wet day really was a bonus.

It is BYO car so if you have a company set of wheels, take it. The company cars just seem to rev that bit harder and you can go much closer to the armco railing totally out of shape before you start to get that 'sh*t f*ck' sensation..... you know the one, like, when you are approaching a very narrow gap going way too fast and you just start to go 'sh*t f........ sh*t f..... sh*t f.......

The one I attended at Amaroo was called Nationwide Defensive Driving School and their business address is 40 Northham Dve, North Rocks Ph 9873 1773. I think they are part of the Peter Wherret driving school crowd. Very professional yet at the same time they make it a really fun day. If you can drive decently, they don't hold you back but encourage you to drive to the limits, mainly so that you get a feel for where the limits are, in: A. your car's ability and B. your ability. A little grass cutting off the track is pretty usual.

[NYOPA]

If anyone is organising a days training in sydney..... I'm in. It would be a great help. thanks

[Guest Scootre]

This sounds fantastic.

Where do we stand insurance-wise with these things? I know you aren't insured on track days, but what if you are doing "driver / defensive training" at a race track?