Safe Drivers are Lifesavers

For every action by a driver there is a reaction from the vehicle and tyres that will occur.

Do you realize how your vehicle will respond to your actions...especially at a critical moment?

Do you understand the balance between acceleration, braking and steering that occurs, especially at the dynamic limits of a vehicle and its tyre grip?

A competent driver always drives within their own and their vehicle's limits. However, during the licencing process, these limits are not tested. All drivers benefit from experience, but some driving experiences are rare events. This course allows drivers to experience these rare or unexpected events in a safe, controlled training centre.

Therefore the Advanced Car Control Course is aimed at educating drivers through practical experience on how they should and shouldn't react to adverse driving situations.

Our philosophy is to enhance your skills and knowledge about the complexity of driving and the risks associated without creating overconfidence in new found abilities. We will reinforce the limitations all drivers can face in terms of skill failures, vehicle limits and human reactions.

Course content

The 8 hour course is 85% practical and involves advanced exercises on wet and dry bitumen; plus cornering techniques on the driver training circuit. You will also learn through experience how to recognize and control skids on a wet skidpan circuit.

We will teach you Advanced Vehicle Control Skills such as:

• Driving Vision, Steering and Posture
• Braking (Lock-up, Threshold, ABS, Braking in Corners)
• Reactive Manoeuvres at Speed (Slalom and Lane Change Tests)
• Advanced Cornering Techniques and vehicle control during laps of the Driver Training Circuit
• Theory of vehicle control and vehicle preparation (tyres, suspension, maintenance)
• Correct use and limitations of vehicle technology such as ESP, EBD, ABS, TC
• Skid and Slide Recognition (Understeer, Oversteer, Spins)
• Skid Prevention Techniques
• Skid Control (Reactive Throttle Control, Steering correction, Balance Points)

Advanced Accident Avoidance Session

Skid Control Training Session (using skid pan or SKID TYRES)

Australian Course Locations:

BRISBANE (QLD): Mt. Cotton Driver Training Centre: Ideally located 45 minutes from the Brisbane CBD and 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. The venue features a large manoeuvring area, concrete skid-circuit and driving circuit. Skid control training is done using the skid circuit.

PLEASE NOTE: Centre Management has banned drifting at this venue and implemented a 90dB noise limit on participating vehicles. Any car deemed to exceed the noise limits will be prevented from further driving. SDT will allow any affected participant to continue to use our training cars. No refund will be provided if your car is too loud. These rules apply to all hirers of the facility.

BRISBANE/IPSWICH (QLD): Willowbank Training Centre: This venue is located within the Willowbank Dragstrip Complex, 50 minutes from the Brisbane CBD and an equal distance from Toowoomba and Warwick. The venue features a large wet manoeuvring area and at this venue SKID TYRES are used for teaching skid control.

MAREEBA (QLD): Mako Trac: Mako Trac is a purpose built go-kart complex which we have adapted for driver training. The venue is situated 1 hours drive from Cairns . The venue features bitumen training areas plus a wet skid control area and handling circuit for teaching car control. At this venue SKID TYRES are used for teaching skid control.

TOWNSVILLE (QLD): Reid Park V8 Complex: This new venue is located in the heart of Townsville city. The venue utlisises sections of the V8 circuit. At this venue SKID TYRES are used for teaching skid control.

ARMIDALE (NSW): Traffic Education Centre: Situated in the picturesque New England Region of New South Wales, Armidale is accessible from Coffs Harbour , Port Macquarie, Tamworth , Grafton and Glen Innes. Driving enthusiasts will enjoy the scenic drive to get there. The venue features a large manoeuvring area/concrete skidpan and a 1.9 km driving circuit. Skid control training is done using the skid pan.

SYDNEY/GOULBURN (NSW): Marulan Driver Training Centre: This new venue is ideally located south-west of Sydney to service the southern Sydney suburbs and the regions of Canberra , Goulburn, Wollongong , Mittagong, Kiama and Nowra. The venue features a challenging driver training circuit. At this venue SKID TYRES are used for teaching skid control.

ADELAIDE REGION (SA): Tailem Bend Motorsport Park: This venue is located about 1 hours drive south-east of Adelaide. The venue features a large training area and at this venue SKID TYRES are used for teaching skid control.

OTHER LOCATIONS:

In other locations a modified version of the full day program can be conducted using a dirt driving circuit or speedway track for the skid control training. Other Australian venues where this modified program can be conducted are: Mackay (QLD), Gladstone (QLD), Roma (QLD), Broadford Circuit (VIC), Wilby (VIC)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

What are SKID TYRES?

SKID TYRES are normal road tyres coated with a patented special low-friction contact surface for skid control training and vehicle testing. The vehicle is stable at speeds up to 30km/h but at speeds above the tyre breaks traction.

By fitting SKID TYRES to the front axle we can teach about understeer and on the same car the wheels can then be rotated for oversteer training.

SKID TYRES allow users the portability of conducting skid control training in any sealed area (runway, dragstrip, closed road or carpark), without the need for purpose built skid pans, addition of water additives (oil/detergent) or bulky and expensive skid frames.

Click here to download more information on this product

Who can attend the course?

This course is usually undertaken as a follow-on from a Defensive Driving Course (like the SAFE DRIVE TEST DRIVE Driver Safety Program) which focuses on the essential driving theory and proactive driving strategies.

All participants must hold at least a Provisional licence. If under 21-year-old it is also a pre-requisite for drivers to have completed a Defensive Driving Course (proof required).

How many people per course?

To allow personalised training, each public session is limited to a maximum of 14 drivers. Courses for company groups and car clubs can be run for larger groups (up to 24 pax) at a discounted group price.

*Course will be rescheduled if minimum participant numbers are not reached

When are courses conducted?

Most courses are held on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. New dates can be formed for group bookings. Once booked in, attendance details and a map will be sent to each participant.

Do I use my own car?

During the day you will be asked to drive a car we supply as well as use your own. This will assist the development of your driving skills by allowing you to drive a different vehicle with different characteristics to your car. If you have a front-wheel drive car we will supply a rear-wheel drive car (or vice-versa). If your car has ABS brakes we will supply a car without ABS brakes. These cars have been modified by our sponsors.

No driving exercises will put excess wear on any vehicle components.

If required we can provide a quote to supply a car or all the vehicles used for the course, this is popular when the Advanced Car Control course is run as part of a company conference or team-building activity (with inter-state or overseas guests unable to use their own vehicle).

Are the cars insured during the course?

Some insurance companies cover clients cars, some don't and some even discount insurance for driver attending such courses. If asked, please inform your insurance company that the training is not done on racing circuits, there are no speed events or racing and maximum speeds are less than 100 km/hr. Remember you are attending to improve your driving, your insurance company should support this as they will ultimately benefit from you being a better driver.

The vehicles we supply are fully insured for your use and provided you are following our instructions you will not be liable for any damage caused. If your car is not covered, most participants still attend as there is a very low risk of any problems occurring, otherwise you might wish to hire one of ours for the entire day.

What is the cost?

Special Offer:

	All course participants receive a certificate of course attendance, bumper sticker (as pictured - to wear with pride) and an information showbag containing summary information, road safety brochures, plus various offers and discounts from our sponsors as a reward for becoming a safer driver.

Feedback from participants:

"I wish to send my sincere thanks to Rob and Denis who were the instructors on my recent Advanced Car Control Course. I found Rob and Denis to be extremely helpful, knowledgeable and patient. I don't think the group could have had better instructors. I wish them all the best and thank them very much for the new skills I have gained." Barry D'Arcy (December 2008)

"Thank you for the Advanced Car Control course that my mate Tim and I attended at the Sutton Training Centre. Ian and Graham were excellent instructors so please pass on our gratitude for a very instructive and entertaining day that really should be compulsory for all drivers.  I came away "looking to the horizon" for what lay ahead and driving more patiently. I have to agree with your belief that the more you know about driving the slower you'll go. I would still like to learn more about the vehicle I drive, in the relative safety of a race circuit, and look forward to seeing what you will be offering at Marulan once it comes online.  Some track time with one of your guys would be great experience. Thank you again for an excellent course and personally following through from my original enquiry. Looking forward to spending some more time in the future with the professionals from SDT." David Garrett

“I’m writing to commend you and your staff for their invaluable instruction during the Advanced Driver Training Course that I attended today. I’m fortunate to be driving a performance sports car and their guidance and practical tips on safely driving my car was not only enjoyable but immensely rewarding. In particular, could you extend my sincere thanks to the instructors - their relaxed but very professional approach not only put everyone at ease but allowed me to gradually build confidence to extend my driving ability. Well done. Cheers.” Allan Soriano

“I wish to thank you for training Nicholas in the High School course. He was amazed at the number of things he learned (things he had not even imagined could happen). The Advanced Course then was even better for Nicholas plus Colin (my husband) and myself. Colin and I have been driving for 20 years and we both learnt alot from the day (even though Colin thought he knew it all). It was excellent for Nicholas to experience things in a controlled environment and not in a real experience on the road. Thank you for a great day. Keep up the good work. Every person who gets their licence should have to attend this course.” Karen Kuzewicz

“At 42 I thought I wasn’t a bad driver but the instruction given during the Advanced Car Control course got me doing things in a car I never thought possible. The safety side of this course has made me a much more aware driver on the road. Thank you Safe Drive Training”. Darryl Jamieson

“Thank you for the opportunity, this training is worth its weight in gold. Far too little prominence is given to developing highly skilled drivers as a road safety tool. Not only compulsory, skills should be regularly updated (say 12 month intervals) to identify and eliminate bad habits that develop incrementally. Thank you”. Ralph Walton

"I would like to pass on my thanks to you and the team for the excellent training session that was run in Canberra on 5 Apr 06. My daughter was a participant and from the information she provided it was an extremely informative and interesting day. The team presented the training in a relaxed manner that put Pippa at ease and allowed her to gain benefit from the training. The course has reduced some of the fears that I have with a teenage girl driving around like a ratbag. Thank you again, and all the best. It was money well spent." John Sokolovic

"Yes, the course was a great success, I have had many comments about how much the team enjoyed it and how much they learnt from it." Murray Stoll

"In my opinion advanced driver training programs provide drivers with the opportunity to know the limits of their cars and their personal abilities during various simulated conditions. They allow you to practice emergency accident avoidance through braking and direction changing. They teach you how to set up your seat and mirrors for maximum vision and control. They let you experience how long it takes to stop in an emergency and hence give credence to the notion of being proactive rather than reactive. Sure activities like skid pans are competitive and even fun, but these behaviours are not taught for reproduction on the road, rather to highlight limitations of car and driver. Like Mr T, “I pity the fool” who calls advanced driving training counter-productive." reproduced from http://www.caradvice.com.au/12924/caradvice-to-support-driver-training-programs

Downloads

Advanced Car Control brochure

Enrolment form & Gift Voucher Order Form

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