As some of you know, my 18 year old lad passed his driving test at the first attempt a couple of months ago. As a car enthusiast I have shown him how to look after his car, do weekly checks etc and thought the next step would be to get him some advanced driving tuition. Earlier this month I met an old acquaintance of mine who is a member of the local branch of Porsche Club GB, an ex-Formula Ford racer and driving instructor at Blyton Park. He said he was trying to put something together for the Porsche Club and would let me know the details. As a result, my lad headed off to Blyton Park yesterday in his trusty 2007 Ford Ka Mk 1 with 69 bhp (with Eibach springs and Sport Ka front brakes). The instructor's report is as follows:

 

"What a very sociable and polite young man you sent along, you must be very proud. 
  
He was incredibly nervous on arrival, we had a good chat and talked about the track and what we would do. Firstly I took him out for a few slow laps in my car just to familiarise him with the layout and to get him to relax a bit. We then took to his Ka for driving the circuit in a couple of different ways, including driving it as if it was an 'A' road; so he had to keep the car to the left at all times. He did mention that he was surprised how well his car handled and cornered. 
  
His car control was very good and he drove sensibly at all times, at one point he over ran one corner hitting one of the 10" rubber cones we use as markers. He was able to identify why it happened, I could have corrected the situation but allowed it to develop knowing it would be a good learning experience. 
  
We went out a number of times, each time more and more confident until one of the other guys I was instructing offered the keys to his £100k 3.8L Porsche 911 Carrera S to him. This I thought would be an interesting experience for him, not to mention a real ego boost. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity at his age. He drove the car superbly, handled the nearly 400bhp very confidently and was surprisingly gentle on the throttle. He managed some very smooth and capable laps, quite impressing the owner and other Porsche members. It did actually show he has very good car control and awareness of his positioning at all times. 
  
As a bit of a break and a demonstration of car control, I took him out for some quick laps in my own car and in the 3.8; showing him that despite our excessive speed the steering was smooth and gentle. He was also taken out in a 3.4 Carrera and finally in a 800cc Turbo engine Lotus 7 with the circuit owner. 
  
I know he enjoyed himself, I could see the enormous smile through his visor. He certainly relaxed as the afternoon progressed. I could only find one small floor occasionally with his driving, we discussed it at length; that was sometimes braking a bit too late into a corner and not braking hard enough when he had done so. 
  
All in all, a good day for both of us. I hope he goes on to have a successful time at Uni and wish him well. 
  
Regards "

 

I am insanely jealous; anyone else?

I'm filling up :'(  ( reaches across for a kleenex )

I think your son just showed u up!

Kidding.

I wish my children was 1/10th as polite and respectful and attention to detail as your son!

Have u thought about getting him involved with IAM/RoSPA?

Have u thought about getting him involved with IAM/RoSPA?

 

He goes to Uni on Sunday to start his Bio-Medicine degree so those sort of things will have to wait.

He goes to Uni on Sunday to start his Bio-Medicine degree so those sort of things will have to wait.

 

So you'll be filling up Sunday, ( tweenster reaches across for Kleenex )

So you'll be filling up Sunday, ( tweenster reaches across for Kleenex )

 

We will be partying!

We will be partying!

 

Good man, did the same when my eldest left home

 

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You must be so proud to get such glowing feedback. Well done to your lad.

Good man, did the same when my eldest left home

 

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The best time is when the youngest leaves home.

Ah top stuff. Sounds like you pulled a blinder there for him!

A fun day out as well as learning a thing or two about car control. Fantastic!

Impressive. One word of warning I'd like you to pass on to him though. Almost anyone (well anyone halfway competent anyway) feels "better grip and handling" their first time on a circuit. This is because most circuits are surfaced with more level and much grippier asphalt than public roads have.

I bet the lotus 7 was an experiance with the owner,

 

Last time i was there in my VRS the owner was there is a Mk1 audi S3 and my god could he make that thing dance

Great feedback from the instructor - I bet you and your son are still grinning from it.

 

Wish someone had offered me a sports car like that when I was that age!

Sounds like he had the day of his life there.    Being so young and 'Green' makes it easy for the instructor to show him how track driving should be done.  I wish him well at Uni.

YEP!! your a good dad and teacher....

You teach a child right and wrong, to behave courteously, adding good manners, and later tact and thoughtfulness.

It's later any change will develop as they get older, but they will usually remain within the examples and advice you set when they were young.

I have two sons and a daughter, and just as proud as you are 'tweenster' with your son..

Your son is very lucky. Bet you and all his mates are very jealous

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