Skids anyone?

[Brouse]

Hello folks,

Recently got back from a skid pan session at Thruxton earlier today. Thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend enough. This was an 'in your own car' session.

Really fun with some good tips too, and for someone like me who has never been sideways before, it's very interesting to experiment with the car in a safe environment. You really learn how much of a buzz kill DTC/DSC is when it's all switched on bit also appreciate how it functions when engaged.

Bit of a learning curve initially and you can appreciate the skill it takes. By the time the hour was up I felt like I was part of the cast of Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift! I already want to go back.

 

[LittleZ4]

This sounds like good fun, plus thruxton is minutes down the road from me. Might have to look into this

 

[ronk]

I was lucky enough to win a session on a police skid pan with a police instructor a few years ago, They used a Vauxhall Carlton with proper slick/skid pan tyres,

The instructor demonstrated J turns and tail out stuff all without crossing his hands,
I was given the opportunity to drive and the instructor made me work hard - I was lucky as it’s not something the public normally experience.

 

[Smartbear]

Hello folks,

Recently got back from a skid pan session at Thruxton earlier today. Thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend enough. This was an 'in your own car' session.

Really fun with some good tips too, and for someone like me who has never been sideways before, it's very interesting to experiment with the car in a safe environment. You really learn how much of a buzz kill DTC/DSC is when it's all switched on bit also appreciate how it functions when engaged.

Bit of a learning curve initially and you can appreciate the skill it takes. By the time the hour was up I felt like I was part of the cast of Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift! I already want to go back.

I’ve been on a skid pan before in my old Mazda rx8 at the prodrive circuit, going again next month at Thruxton :driving:
Rob

 

[Brouse]

I was lucky enough to win a session on a police skid pan with a police instructor a few years ago, They used a Vauxhall Carlton with proper slick/skid pan tyres,

The instructor demonstrated J turns and tail out stuff all without crossing his hands,
I was given the opportunity to drive and the instructor made me work hard - I was lucky as it’s not something the public normally experience.

Now that is an experience!!

 

[mmm-five]

I've done a few days on Oulton Park's low-grip rally stages, and a couple of sessions at a drift school in Birmingham Wheels Raceway (practice area was basically a wet carpark when I last went, but has been upgraded since).

With the Birmingham one, you also get a few laps with their drift team on the proper arena raceway.

Couldn't see much with all the smoke, but some of the cars were great (old e30s, e36s R32 skylines, 200SX, Silvias, etc.)

 

[buzyg]

Hello folks,

Recently got back from a skid pan session at Thruxton earlier today. Thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend enough. This was an 'in your own car' session.

Really fun with some good tips too, and for someone like me who has never been sideways before, it's very interesting to experiment with the car in a safe environment. You really learn how much of a buzz kill DTC/DSC is when it's all switched on bit also appreciate how it functions when engaged.

Bit of a learning curve initially and you can appreciate the skill it takes. By the time the hour was up I felt like I was part of the cast of Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift! I already want to go back.

I’ve been on a skid pan before in my old Mazda rx8 at the prodrive circuit, going again next month at Thruxton :driving:
Rob

I enjoyed a full one on one driver training day on the old prodrive testing ground years ago. We did a number of sessions on the skid pans during the day, as well as using their main test track and much more my cup of tea, the handling circuit out the back. Learnt a lot about my car that day and discovered old powerful Audis are boring to drive, even sideways.

 

[bigwinn]

I recall doing a 'defensive' driving course a few years back

The amount of things that were taught in the driving test that were utter garbage was interesting...

 

[Thrustyjust]

The amount of things that were taught in the driving test that were utter garbage was interesting...

The current wife used to be a driving instructor and she used to say ' I will get you through your test. When you pass, then you learn how to drive'

 

[Smartbear]

Hello folks,

Recently got back from a skid pan session at Thruxton earlier today. Thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend enough. This was an 'in your own car' session.

Really fun with some good tips too, and for someone like me who has never been sideways before, it's very interesting to experiment with the car in a safe environment. You really learn how much of a buzz kill DTC/DSC is when it's all switched on bit also appreciate how it functions when engaged.

Bit of a learning curve initially and you can appreciate the skill it takes. By the time the hour was up I felt like I was part of the cast of Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift! I already want to go back.

I’ve been on a skid pan before in my old Mazda rx8 at the prodrive circuit, going again next month at Thruxton :driving:
Rob

I enjoyed a full one on one driver training day on the old prodrive testing ground years ago. We did a number of sessions on the skid pans during the day, as well as using their main test track and much more my cup of tea, the handling circuit out the back. Learnt a lot about my car that day and discovered old powerful Audis are boring to drive, even sideways.

I had tuition around the other parts of the circuit as well, don’t think it did my tyres much good - I’m sure i heard them howling at 110mph!
Rob

 

[SDJ]

I've booked a 'drift what ya brung' day at santa pod next month which I'm really looking forward to. I'm taking the m3 though as my Z4 has a really weak clutch that just slips when you clutch kick

 

[buzyg]

I've booked a 'drift what ya brung' day at santa pod next month which I'm really looking forward to. I'm taking the m3 though as my Z4 has a really weak clutch that just slips when you clutch kick

You need a new clutch then more torque and no need to clutch kick ever again after that. :driving: :wink:

 

[SDJ]

I've booked a 'drift what ya brung' day at santa pod next month which I'm really looking forward to. I'm taking the m3 though as my Z4 has a really weak clutch that just slips when you clutch kick

You need a new clutch then more torque and no need to clutch kick ever again after that. :driving: :wink:

If I enjoy it I'll treat the zed to a new clutch.... And a hydro
Not sure where I'll get more torque from. Might have to make do with skinny tyres!

 

[Spriteracer]

I had a session at Silverstone in the late 90s in one of these - except I think the car was probably a montego. Great fun and the instructor could give any level of, or no grip at each wheel individually. Spent all my time since (on track) trying not to skid - just !! #sideways is slow...