I know a few people have mentioned being interested in doing an advanced driving taster day so I thought I'd start a thread to gauge interest and then sort out dates, but I'm thinking potentially a Saturday in late August.

It'll probably be based around Andover or maybe Newbury and will be an on-road day with the routes spread across Wilts, Hants, Berks and possibly Oxfordshire. Format tends to be quite informal and the aim of the day is primarily fun with the hope that you might come away with some useful feedback and a desire to take things further

You'll be paired 1 to 1 with a coach in the morning and a different one in the afternoon and there'll be a selection of pre-chosen routes to choose from. The rough format is along the lines of:

9am Arrive and meet everyone

9:30am With your coach, drive one of the pre-set routes

10:30-11ish am Now switch places and your coach will drive one of the pre-set routes

12:30ish Lunch

1:30ish With your second coach, drive one of the pre-set routes

2:30-3ish am Now switch places and your second coach will drive one of the pre-set routes

4-4:30ish Finish

Of course, flexibility is the order of the day and routes can be shortened if people were keen to drive with more than 2 coaches or if people wanted an opportunity to put into practise what a coach demo's with them feeding back, and there's always scope for drives after 4-4:30 if people are interested.

The routes selected mostly focus on the fun and challenging types of roads which tend to be A and B roads, although if people were desperate to work on town driving or motorway driving then they can be easily accommodated. There will be at least 3 routes to choose from and they can be run in either direction, strayed from or completely ignored

Everyone will be driving their own cars as this keeps insurance issues to a minimum, but if people want coaches to drive their cars then let me know and I'll get hold of their insurance details so you can arrange suitable cover.

Cost for the day is simply the price of your lunch (which will likely be at a pub or similar) and the petrol/diesel your car uses. The coaches are all doing this voluntarily because they love driving and love helping other people to get the best out of their driving.

The day is open to all, irrespective of age, skill level or experience

So, I think that's everything covered - let me know if not!

So if you're interested in coming along and finding out a bit more about advanced driving, please add yourself here

1. ScoobyChris

2. Will

3. Tom - no excuse now he has a company car

4. Faboka_vrs (John)

5. Westallc (Clive)

6. Westallc's Father in law

7. Pastyboy

8. AnotherGareth (Gareth)

Chris

Edited 25 September, 200916 yr by ScoobyChris

sounds great chris but im away late part of august, maybe another meet

Thanks for the interest and PMs on this - looks like I might have to put it on hold for a little while as a few things have come up which are eating my free time currently....

Chris

Sounds great, I'd be interested if I have the time. Unfortunately, time is at a premium because of wedding planning etc..., so I wouldn't be able to commit until the last minute.

I'd be interested when this gets off the ground. Sounds like a great thing and should be taken advantage of!

I would also be interested..

me too

I'm interested although I'm away until early-/mid-August so, like Sammycarp, will be unable to commit until to commit to any dates until quite close to the event. I'm away again in late August so, looking at Saturdays, 15th would probably be best for me.

Good on you Chris. Keep the thread updated with developments and hopefully I'll be able to make it

Cheers,

Steve

Thanks for all the continued interest and sorry to mess people about with dates I'm currently thinking that late September/early October is probably going to be a more realistic time frame and hopefully that'll be after the summer holidays so the roads will be quieter and there'll be more opportunity for people to attend.

Chris

That's still fine by me, as long as it's a Saturday. Week days I would only be able to do during the holidays, and Sundays are reserved for panicking about the forthcoming week.

Edited 3 July, 200917 yr by will_

I can guarantee it will be a Saturday as I'm in the same boat

Chris

I'm looking forward to a taste, please, guru.

I'm looking forward to a taste, please, guru.

Hehe - sounds like a drive in the Panda is needed then so we can explore your cornering technique :P:rofl:

Chris

... and maybe my overtaking technique also ...

Ok, I'm going to suggest Saturday 10th October for this day so if you'd like to come, please let me know either on this thread or by PM and I'll sort out the details...

As above, it's open to everyone and it's primarily about fun and driving some nice "petrol-head" routes, with the added bonus that you might pick up a few hints and tips along the way

Chris

Count me in.

Thanks, Will

Would like to attend, but it's a bit of a trip for me, and I know my weekends are pretty packed around that time too.

Will keep an eye on the thread though

Cheers,

Steve

Count me in, albeit in my somewhat battered and poorly 306 :(

What's up with the Pug Tom?

Steve

Bit of a misfire, think its the throttle position sensor as it only does it on one throttle position. Plus it got damaged at the weekend, but not sure when or how :( Headlight smashed and bumper grazed :thumbdwn:

Seeing as I've missed the last ones put my name down

Question. Any nice hotels for coming down the night before?

Steve, Tom, John - thanks for your support

The day will be based around the Portway Inn (pub and Premier Inn) which is fairly new and modern and people tell me is nice, although I've not stayed there myself. There's also a Travelodge just down the road at Barton Stacey.

If you want me to look into other hotels in the area, let me know and I'll see what I can find.

Chris

And thanks Chris for taking the time to organise it

Good idea about hotels John, would be up for doing that as well, if I end up coming down. Not looking that hot though - next available for me from now is 26/27 Sept, and even that might be booked!

Steve