windy Posted February 28, 2002 Posted February 28, 2002 I have discussed proposals for running a course to the public on a special wet grip surface test facility which the company I work for is thinking about developing. The idea would be that members of the public / specific motor clubs could come and spend a day learning to control their own cars on a special slippery surface in a safe environment. There would be informal guidance from instructors (similar to what is offered on track days) which would be included in the cost. The emphasis would be on having a fun day out and to learn about how to drive your own cars at its limits. The venue is located in Bedfordshire. I would welcome your suggestions as to what you think would be a reasonable amount to pay for this? Regards Graham Quote
Mark Stanton Posted February 28, 2002 Posted February 28, 2002 Good one Graham My local area group arranged one a few years back (about 5 or 6) in Shrops (can't remember name) run by the Institute for Advanced Motorists. It was only £36 and included tea, coffee and biccies. Although prices will have increased since then. Save me a place Quote
Blatman Posted February 28, 2002 Posted February 28, 2002 Count me in. The cheaper the better, 'cos I'll be bringing his 'n hers Westfields. It'll he his paying though..........mind you, Blatgirl does a pretty good pirouette on hot dry tarmac, so a deliberately slippery surface should be a real hoot :0 I'll be for it when she see's this.............. :0 Quote
ricdiggle Posted February 28, 2002 Posted February 28, 2002 I desperately need this course! See avatar for details! Quote
Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 Me too Ric, but only after i get my nose cone back from the repairers :0 . Oulton Park is quite slippy in February when its hailstoning. You reading this Bollocky Bill ? this time it was my turn Quote
mb893 Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 Yup, I'd be very interested.... my only reservation is: would I get my car all greasy and orrible? Richard, what did you do!? Regards John The MegaBLADE Site Quote
gee_fin Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Essex Police let you use their skid-pan for free if you ask in advance. Basically a big oval piece of tarmac sprayed with water. Does anyone know if this is true? Quote
N_J Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 I would be interested ....Think I sould take the missus as well, might stop her hitting the tyre walls in future ! Quote
Guest Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 http://www.combe-events.co.uk/skid.html ...seems reasonable Quote
windy Posted March 1, 2002 Author Posted March 1, 2002 The slippy medium would be just water so there wouldn't be any problems with oily "Westfield elbow". The environmental health people have put a stop to oily meduims which is why a lot of the skid pans have ceased to exist. Chelmsford police skid pan uses a special chemical which is clear but it tends to dissolve the protective wax that's on the underside of most modern cars. The advantage of using water is that you wouldn't have to build a "self contained" recycling system for the slippy chemical so the facility would be cheaper to construct. There are different ways of getting the water on the surface but the best option is to irrigate at ground level - saves getting water into the air which would mean using windscreen wipers. Regards Graham Quote
7 Heaven Posted March 1, 2002 Posted March 1, 2002 The Shropshire skid pan is at High Ercal. Millbrook is also a great place for playing in your car as well. John Quote
furtive Posted March 13, 2002 Posted March 13, 2002 I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Essex Police let you use their skid-pan for free if you ask in advance. Basically a big oval piece of tarmac sprayed with water. Does anyone know if this is true? That is indeed true, but probably not for much longer. I organised a day there for the MR2 club last year. You will need weather gear though, because the police don't like getting wet. Contact details if anyone is insterested in organising it: Sgt Colin Day Essex Police Driving School Police HQ PO Box 2 Springfield Chelmsford CM2 6DA Quote
furtive Posted March 13, 2002 Posted March 13, 2002 Chelmsford police skid pan uses a special chemical which is clear but it tends to dissolve the protective wax that's on the underside of most modern cars. Actually, the Essex skid pan just squirts water, but the surface is treated every two months with a slippy polymer similar to teflon. That's what they told me, anyway. Quote
Nick M Posted March 13, 2002 Posted March 13, 2002 Not that you knew this, but Windy is intimately acquainted with the Chelmsford skid pan, having thrown his Omega barge round there like it was a Mk2 Escort rally car !! Much to everyone's amusement, including the instructors !! I actually wrote to the driving school in Chelmsford in January but they're already fully booked for this year Quote
windy Posted March 17, 2002 Author Posted March 17, 2002 Nick, Thanks for the comment - I still watch your video with much amusement. I tried a cradle type skid car (also an Omega) recently and it somehow wasn't the same as the real thing at Chelmsford. Regards Windy Quote
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