Ride Drive Training

Posted by: Not For Me on 07 December 2004

Seeing the other threads about the worst excesses of our fellow road users, I wonder if any of you have experience of Ride Drive training?

I an signing up for an advanced driving training course to improve my capability and awareness as a driver. You are given one-to-one training and coaching on the road by a serving, accredited police driver. You can do skid pan and track work as well, if you want too.

I have already done defensive driver training sponsored by the company, which I found taught me a few useful things.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists look a bit dull and probably like polishing thier badges too much.

Any other experiences / comments on this area?

DS

ITC - Andrew Weatherall - Fabric

*** All the views expressed within this e-mail are the sole responsibility of DS, or the other person in his head ***

[This message was edited by David Slater on Tue 07 December 2004 at 20:20.]
Posted on: 07 December 2004 by John Sheridan
I've done their 1 day course (road + track) and would recommend ride-drive as a good place to start.
On the road, like they say, they're not their to give you a driving lesson but they'll make suggestions along the drive of what you can do to improve your driving through better observation and awareness.
The track time was good for finding the limits of the car but I'd suggest you do that when your tyres are already knackered as the track they use has a very abrasive surface and they do a lot of 'circle work' and high speed (on and past the limit) cornering.

If you want to go to the next stage then take a look at High Performance - if a couple of minutes of being driven by John Lyon hasn't seriously revised any opinions about your driving proficiency, or lack thereof, nothing will.
Posted on: 07 December 2004 by Steve Toy
How long do these courses run for and how much do they cost?

I'm interested.

Regards,

Steve.
Posted on: 07 December 2004 by Not For Me
Steve,

The web address is:

http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/

Prices range from £120 to £1,000, depending on how much you do.

They are a lot cheaper than some of the 'Experience' type packages, and also you use your own car.

John,

Did you do road & track on the same day? Thanks for the tip about the tyres, I don't fancy shelling out for a new set just yet. Eek

DS

ITC - Andrew Weatherall - Fabric

*** All the views expressed within this e-mail are the sole responsibility of DS, or the other person in his head ***
Posted on: 07 December 2004 by John Sheridan
yes, same day. It's not overly taxing as you take regular breaks.
Posted on: 07 December 2004 by Jay
You are supposed to take 15min every 2 hours....sorry I was reading the road code this afternoon Eek