I'm shortly going to be moving from a 100bhp, fwd Citroen Saxo (I know, I know, but I'm only 21), to Glen's (aka Senna) zed.

 

seeing as i don't want to be writing it off in the first week of getting used to it, does anyone know if htere are courses available to best use the cars potential? I'm in Bucks, so around that area would be best, but I'd consider anywhere really.

 

Ta!!

Don't many of the tracks have on site fast driver courses/instructors?

Evlington on the 27th is an Airfield track day. So if you spin off you are not gonna hit anything for a few miles and the cones are specail soft ones as to not damage your car. That will be a perfrect place to start.

 

Stuart

Sounds good, unfortunately I'm not picking the Z up until 4th August (I presume you meant 27 July?).

 

Mind you, its difficult getting time off work at the moment, so even if its the 27 August I couldn't make it.

 

I'll give Silverstone a ring then, see what they can offer.

 

Ta

 

[This message has been edited by AndyD (edited 19-07-2002).]

Here ya go:

http://www.drivingdevelopment.co.uk/

 

This course is HIGHLY recommended! Possibly the best driver training course there is.

Look under the creative car control section for phone number etc.

Whilst the on track instructors are good, they expect you to be 'comfortable' with the car.

Regards

 

 

[This message has been edited by Ay3388 (edited 19-07-2002).]

Silverstone will charge you over £200 for their next race say.

Also try Bedrord Autodrome (www.bedfordautodrome.com)

as Palmer Autosport have similar facilties at less cost I believe also RMA TRackdays are run from there too.

(www.rma-limited.co.uk)

The track at Bedford is also very new, flat and has good run off areas in case of problems. I can recommend this one myself as I have been round it a few times during building up of my car over the past year.

Bedford Autodrome...youd have trouble driving to the barriers, never mind spinning off to hit them, there is that much run off

Its a good place to get used to what the car does in extreme situations, as if you crash there, you are really bad hehe

I think driving development would be better to enable you to safely get the car control etc under instruction and then go to bedford by yourself to develop your technique.

If you are so unsure of your car control (which you sound to be from your first post) then get a good instructor before you think of driving it fast!

When you first pick it up take it real easy! and build up your confidence, dont put your foot down, cos even on the straight, the power will take you by suprise (unless youve driven a faster car before).

Get to the driver training, then get on bedford, thats the best place to go for fast practice.

And have fun. People I know, who are experienced track drivers etc highly rate don palmer driving development, and they even go back for refreshers etc!

see ya

regards

Thanks for all the info and help, I'll try a couple of them out!!

I went from a 65bhp MG midget to my 280bhp Zed fine, the car is so easy to drive unless you plan on chucking it around every corner you will be ok.

 

I was going to do a course becuase i was worried, I have only swung the back end out a few times and it is so easy to correct it. i guess the only problem you might have is the RWD it takes a while to get used the different acceleration points off of roundabouts and corners, so much better than FWD though,

 

just take it calmly and don't drive like the typical saxo driver and you should be ok ;o)

 

Mike

lol!!!

 

I don't drive like the typical Saxo driver anyway, thank god

AndyD, as a BOF may I recommend you do some advanced driving stuff as well as track work?

 

Track days / training are good and good fun but aren't trying to help you stay alive when the idiot who is trying to kill you is coming in the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road.

 

Simply the best rider / driver training I have ever found has been given by Class 1 plod - or people using their methods / knowledge. I found a link based in Bucks so here it is http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/

 

They also give you an insight into how to *ahem* "deal" with those occasions when you might come into contact with the brave boys in blue during a motoring context. Saved my bacon before (snigger).

 

Another alternative is the IAM - not used them myself, but they have a good - if a little staid reputation. http://www.iam.org.uk/

 

Good luck m8ey - sticky side down / shiny side up! - Gio

 

 

[This message has been edited by Gio (edited 19-07-2002).]

There is a place in or near Aylesbury it might be,http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/ but not sure, when they finished the AC COBRA on A CAR IS BORN program on discovery home and leisure, thats were they tested it and where the guy who built it got instructions on handling high speed stuff etc, its on a disused air field near aylesbury,and the area code on the web site is for Aylesbury area.Where in bucks are you i am often down that way,come from near Aylesbury originaly.

 

I actually live just north of Aylesbury, but I work there. Be good to meet up once I have the Zed!!

oh, and Gio, what's a BOF (sorry if its a stupid question)

Originally posted by Gio:

Another alternative is the IAM

 

We all know how to wear a cardigan, smoke a pipe and drive at 20 mph LOL

Its the sideways action you want to be practicing. yehaaaaaaa

 

 

Andy,i used to live in WADDESDON 5miles out on the a41,was down at QUAINTON last sat,give us mail sometime have to meet up,watch out for the GATSOs in ya Z,its like keeping a wild stallion calm,near impossible!

Originally posted by AndyD:

oh, and Gio, what's a BOF (sorry if its a stupid question)

 

Boring Old Fart

 

©NME 1977, I think

Anyone who thought Tony Parsons and Julie Burchil were sh*te journalists. Anyone who thought Malcolm McLaren's manufactured bands were over-hyped.

Probably nowadays anyone who smokes a pipe, wears a cardie and joins the IAM!

 

 

Im glad you are taking your new toy seriously Andy - just watch the wet roads, it has Bridgestones S03 on the back but it has 300+ BHP and that is a combination that is a tad lary in the wet

 

Glen

Sorry GIO, I thought BOF was Bloody Old Fu**er and as I'm 41 I am allowed to say that!

 

 

------------------

"Before it blew up"

"Dirty at 156mph!"

---------------

Z first and anything else is secondary and live life a quarter mile at a time!

John Newcomb (NukeEm)

www.geocities.com/jn300zxtt

Glen - yep, don't want to be under-estimating that kind of power

 

Gio - Now I understand

 

TonyC - know both Waddesdon and Quainton well, will indeed have to meet up sometime.