Upgrading the slowest bit of my car

[galois]

As the topic says looking to upgrade the slowest bit of my car. Can anyone recommend a good driver improvement course?

[originalgeezer]

Check out on SELOC website, there are a few that advertise on there, such as Ben Elliot or Andrew Walsh both very good reputations.

[Crazy Eddie]

 

Probably the slowest bit of everyone's car but few would admit it  

Where are you based and how far do you want to travel would be first question.

Tim Arnold His Sitewas really good based round Oulton Park and spent a morning with him in my car which was great because I got to see what my car could do in the hands of an expert and then try to do the same  

Personally I would also look at just doing Track Days and tuition on the day to start with as some organises provide the service free of charge (circuit days IIRC are one) and then you get the best of both worlds - time in your car on track and instruction also  

You will definately see improvement. I decided at the end of last year to spend my upgrade money on Track Days and my times dropped more than I would have got from upping BHP etc and so much more fun    

Enjoy and let us know what you end up doing and how you find it.

Cheers

Eddie

[jim_l]

Pondering the same question myself.

I did the Don Palmer 'limit driving' day, the other students on the day got loads out of it and loved it but I prob didn't get as much as I could out of it cos I took a well set up Westy with new 888's on - scary just trying to find the limit!

I have made a lot of progress just on a few track days at Oulton and Anglesey since, which backs up the post above - no substitute for seat time.

Qute like the look of the advanced track driving course here: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/trackda....ID=4199

Looks like a good mix, classroom, in car instruction in their car and yours, then time on your own. Anyone done it?  

Guess the question is - are you driving well within the limit cos you don't know where it is, or what you will do when you find it?  Or is it more general track craft, weight distribution, etc.

[galois]

Based in Oxford, but will probably go with my best man as a gift to him. As he is based in St Albans somewhere to the West of London and South of Birmingham is probably ideal.

On what I will be looking for:

1) Finding out where my car's limits are. I know I am driving well within them (often slower than in my E36!)

2) Improving line, track craft for possible track days.

Main emphasis is on (1) as most of my driving will be on the roads and I want to maximise the fun to be had from bends!

[pikeyboy]

I've used  calum lockie from gold track on several occasions. ex british gt champion and le mans driver. also try sean edwards who i hear good things about.  after going out with calum my lap times improved and my driving became smoother.  from memory you can book him for a full day at a goldtrack day or just for 30 min sessions at 60quid per shot or for a full dayat another track day organisers day for a few hundred quid plus expenses.  mnany people over look driver coaching and like you say it is the best way to improving your lap times and as with all eduaction its something that sticks with you whatever you do or drive in this case.   Good luck with who ever you choose I'm sure you'll learn lots, i did.

[bhouse]

Another vote for Andrew Walsh. He uses North Weald airfield which is about 5 minutes from where the M11 and M25 meet.

[cast iron]

Problem with Trackday tuition is that they tend to teach you that particular track. Proper driver training tends to be more generic and IMHO more useful.

[nikpro]

Try Howard Hunt; he works with BookaTrack plus many other companies. He is a grade S licence Holder; years of race experience and will travel to any track in the country. He does several manufacturers launches as well so his driving isn't just track focused.

Contact him via:

avitesse@ntlworld.com

say you saw the posting on the Westfield forum and he will know who reccomended him and probably give a discount if you ask nicely. He has a really useful info pack that has many hints and tips that he will send out before the days instruction.

You are definately spending your money on the right option - it will make you a much safer, quicker driver than any car upgrades can