Driving with confidence

[b0bby]

Hi guys,

I am loving my polo gti, but before i even consider getting it chipped i wanted to get some experience on learning to drive a manual a bit better. Eg, learning how to take a fast start off etc.

Basically i am looking if their is any one day courses in quasi 'race' driving or defensive driving ?

[Golf Houso]

I suggest you update your location so we can make the best suggestions possible :)

I have done advanced driving/defensive driving courses as have others here but is there one for quick starts, not so sure. I'd start saving up for a new clutch though :biggrin:

[VW GTI]

www.drivegti.com

[RhysQ]

Hi guys,

I am loving my polo gti, but before i even consider getting it chipped i wanted to get some experience on learning to drive a manual a bit better. Eg, learning how to take a fast start off etc.

Basically i am looking if their is any one day courses in quasi 'race' driving or defensive driving ?

definitely a good idea to do the defense driving/advanced driving courses for on-road confidence.

as for the stock/chipped polo though, if you get your starts perfected as stock, won't that just be a waste of time. IMO, launching a chipped polo is a whole new world over stock.

[Whubbsie]

;213802']definitely a good idea to do the defense driving/advanced driving courses for on-road confidence.

as for the stock/chipped polo though, if you get your starts perfected as stock, won't that just be a waste of time. IMO, launching a chipped polo is a whole new world over stock.

Yeah I'd have to agree when I switch back to stock I find it a hell of a lot easier to drive clean compared to driving chipped.

[leasaunce]

is there one in sydney??

[Adam]

is there one in sydney??

plenty. this is the first one i see! =)

http://www.adrenalin.com.au/defensive-driving-course/sydney/motorsport/12080

I went to one, when i was driving around my mum's laser. It was great fun! learn alot!!

[simcard48]

you can also goto Ian Luff: http://ianluff.com.au/retail who provide decent instructors, and plenty of tips for driving.

Simon

[MACCAA]

Peter Finlay runs one at Oran Park.Google "Peter Finlay" or "Nationwide Defensive Driving School" for info.Phone 9873 1773.
I do some instructing with Peter.Email: peter@finlays.com.au
Cheers
Len

[Adam]

Peter Finlay runs one at Oran Park.Google "Peter Finlay" or "Nationwide Defensive Driving School" for info.Phone 9873 1773.
I do some instructing with Peter.Email: peter@finlays.com.au
Cheers
Len

hey len!
that's crazy.... he's the one i went to 3 years-ish back. were you working then?! he spell my last name wrong on my certificate!! :comphit:

[MACCAA]

hey len!
that's crazy.... he's the one i went to 3 years-ish back. were you working then?! he spell my last name wrong on my certificate!! :comphit:

Nope not 3 years ago....
Cheers
Len

[firdausasri]

Apart from getting hands-on approach, try sourcing "Master the Art of Race Driving" from Skip Barber. It covers lots of technicalities of vehicle dynamics, tyres, driving skills, understanding tracks and racing stuff. Only not covered is Left Foot Braking.

[b0bby]

Thanks guys, i am looking at drivegti.com

I am in victoria so i am trying to decide if the 'Volkspower' day coming up this month is for me or not, should i not be trying out 'Level 1' first?

[VW GTI]

Thanks guys, i am looking at drivegti.com

I am in victoria so i am trying to decide if the 'Volkspower' day coming up this month is for me or not, should i not be trying out 'Level 1' first?

Yeah, definitely.

You wouldn't be allowed near the track without a level 1 certificate (I think). I've done level 1 (twice) and 2 certificates and I've been to a track day with them up here in Brisbane.

I highly recommend doing all 3 in the order their names suggest.

[VW GTI]

Only not covered is Left Foot Braking.

Pointless in our cars anyway, throttle is cut when you touch the brake.

[thestu]

Thanks guys, i am looking at drivegti.com

I am in victoria so i am trying to decide if the 'Volkspower' day coming up this month is for me or not, should i not be trying out 'Level 1' first?

as tosspot said you won't be allowed on the track without level 1 :)

[gareth_oau]

Pointless in our cars anyway, throttle is cut when you touch the brake.

be nice if VAGCOM could overcome that little problem

[firdausasri]

Pointless in our cars anyway, throttle is cut when you touch the brake.

Even when the ESP is off? That's sad, because if not mistaken, the Golf GTi Mk5, you can. :(

[VW GTI]

Newer technologies in the Golf MK5, maybe they've fixed it? A major one being ESP/traction control being a million times better... actually useful.

I'm not sure if turning ESP off turns this off with it.

[MACCAA]

You can still heel and toe,with ESP on.
Maybe it still allows throttle 'cause you're in neutral on the downshift when you actually blip it.
Certainly cuts throttle if you left foot brake.The ESP inteprets the brake signal and decides you certainly wouldn't want throttle as well....
Having said that,there's no real advantage in left foot braking even on the track in this type of car-they're not exactly Formula 1 cars...
Cheers
Len

[firdausasri]

You can still heel and toe,with ESP on.
Maybe it still allows throttle 'cause you're in neutral on the downshift when you actually blip it.
Certainly cuts throttle if you left foot brake.The ESP inteprets the brake signal and decides you certainly wouldn't want throttle as well....
Having said that,there's no real advantage in left foot braking even on the track in this type of car-they're not exactly Formula 1 cars...
Cheers
Len

I beg to differ. For fwd cars, LFB allows you to stick to the rev band and let the front tuck-in to the apex with less steering movement.

[VW GTI]

I beg to differ. For fwd cars, LFB allows you to stick to the rev band and let the front tuck-in to the apex with less steering movement.

Have you tracked yours yet? You don't need LFB.

[firdausasri]

Have you tracked yours yet? You don't need LFB.

Haven't do it in my Polo, but used to do it in my old car. Nevertheless, it's good to know all these techniques just like heal and toe with double declutching. I'm still much to learn. Having watch how McRae 'dance' the throttle and how smooth the car movement is a sight to behold :)

[Blitzen]

Pointless in our cars anyway, throttle is cut when you touch the brake.

I have never had this at all, and have tried it a few times after reading it on here.