Car Control Clinic Format, Objectives and Curriculum
Format
- Multiple classroom sessions alternating with various exercises on the track
- In car instruction and critique while participating in the exercises
- Assigned, qualified, helpful instructor for the duration of the event
- Clinics are approximately 75% behind the wheel – 25% classroom
Objectives
- To improve overall awareness of driving position and its effect on ability to control a vehicle
- To educate on the physics that affect car handling, and how to use the physics to advantage
- To significantly improve participants’ ability to control a vehicle in all weather conditions, both in normal driving and in emergency situations
Curriculum
- Safety Basics
- Driving Position & Attitude
- Use of Controls and Mirrors
- The Importance of Vision
- The Traction Circle – Impact of Road Conditions and Tires
- Car Dynamics – Weight Transfer and its Effect on Handling
- Cornering Theory
- Corner Geometry – Turn In, Apex and Turn Exit
- The Six Zones of a Corner
- Under-steer & Over-steer
- Impact of Vehicle Drive System – FWD, AWD and RWD
- Importance of Being Smooth
- Braking Techniques
- Emergency Braking
- Braking distance vs. speed / surface conditions
- Using ABS to Maximum Benefit
- Real World Awareness
- Courtesy
- Following Distance
- Changing road conditions and their impact
- The Right Lane
- Distractions
- Proactive Driving vs. Reactive Driving
- Merging Techniques
- Off Road Excursions – How to Deal With Them Safely
- Modifying Your Driving to Deal With Driving Conditions
- Behind the Wheel Exercises
- Braking, both dry and wet
- Slalom – Weight Transfer
- Accident Avoidance – Quick Left or Right Lane Change
- Cornering – Left and Right
- Forced Under-steer on wet skid pad
- Quick Lane Change and Emergency Braking on wet skid pad
- Forced Off Road Excursion
- Final Test – Combination of Exercises above
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