Last month I had another day at Phil Price rally school - I have been a few times over the past 10 years, and it's really good fun.
As we walked in, Phil was just walking across the carpark and came over to say hi as he has recognised me from previous days (Not a bad memory that, as I'v not been in 2 years) and we had a quick chat before we all headed inside for the sign on and welcome.
For those who have never been, the day includes learning all aspects of rally driving.
The morning starts with a hello and introduction inside the viewing area, then a sit down to watch a short video where Phil explains the basics of car control - understeer, oversteer, left foot braking etc.
Once he has ran through the basics, we all then head outside to the track - the main track that is used is a short track made up of near constant corners - not very fast but perfect for learning car control.
Everyones name is put on a list (Just to state, there is no more than 9 people on any one day - this means you get maximum time in the cars) and we each take turns in going out in a car for a few laps on our own - this gives each person the opportunity to have a quick go at the course, and for the instructors (There are usually 2, plus Phil) to get an idea of how you drive. (Instructors have electronic cut off's for the cars, so if you get a bit silly they can put a stop to it without needing to be in the car every time)
After everyone has had a go, it's back to the top of the list and you then go out as a passenger with an instructor, and then you swap seats and have laps with the instructor beside you to help you work on what areas you need to work on.
While this is going on, Phil takes whoever is not out driving out in a Group N spec Subaru Impreza - this is a slow run (No helmets or seat belts) around Phil's main rally course (This 3 miles stage is usually used by the entrances of the Welsh stages in the WRC for testing) to give you an idea of what that is like - surface/feel - more on this later)
While we are on the subject, throughout the day, a number of different cars are used:
For the small stage (Which is used the most) there are 2 cars, either x2 Ford Escort Mk2's, or x2 Subaru Impreza's.
The Escorts are running a standard 2.0 Pinto with a free flowing filter, manifold and exhaust, proper suspension combined with a locked diff.
The Impreza's are converted to RWD, and have had a lot of work on the suspension - one of the instructors was telling me they have had the Impreza's a little while but have only recently got them set up to handle well
So the day carrys on like this, with x2 cars out on the short circuit at a time, with who-ever is not driving going out with Phil in the Grp N Impreza - this is a really good way of doing things, as due to the small number of people at the day, you spend very little time out the cars - usually enough time to grab a drink, or pop to the loo before you're back out again.
We all stop for lunch somewhere around 12:30-1pm for half an hour or so, which includes a buffet style lunch, with plenty of food to go around, and Phil sticks on a DVD of some kind (Ironically it was a rally crash video lol)
Phil also sits down and expains all about co-driving, different symbols and wordings that co-drivers use and all the back story to what goes on.
Oh, you get free tea and coffee at any point throughout the day too.
So, once lunch is done, we head back out to the track and back out in the cars, again going out on our own and with instructors so they can see our driving from both inside and outside the car.
The difference this time though is we all drive the course in anti-clockwise - this way it is like driving a difference course and means 'learning' all over again.
While this is going on, whoever is not driving now gets to tackle the main stage in the Impreza Phil took us out in earlier in the day - except before we go out Phil fits the other steering wheel - yup, the car is dual controlled - this is a good idea as his stage has trees, rocks and a good 300 ft drop in it!
If that was enough, Phil sits in with you and reads you pace notes around the stage - it's amazing how tough it is to drive quickly on a stage you don't know, with someone shouting random numbers and orders at you - Lucky that Phil is very experienced and takes things as slow (OR as quickly!) as you are comfortable with - we were really flying around and I manged to get air on two occasions which was great fun.
Once everyone had done the stage, Phil pops off and grabs one of his Toys for the next bit - everyone on the course gets a flat out passenger ride with Phil around the main stage - we were treated to going out in his 555 Impreza - which he aquired a number of years ago and has made it as close to the specification of Colin Mcrae's Impreza as he can - suffice to say it is stupidly quick - the section I got air on we must have been a good 3-4 ft off the floor - it helps Phil is a right nutcase behind the wheel mind!
After everyone has had a fast passenger ride, and before it's home time, we then have the competition!
This is a great ending to the day, as although in reality it's only a bit of fun, the chance of 'winning' means everyone is really on edge!
The basics is you have 2 and 3/4 laps of being timed from a standing start, you are allowed to hit 5 tyres, after that every tyre costs you 2 seconds, and a spin or all 4 wheels off the course adds a 15 second penalty.
After everyone has been around, you then swap to driving the course anti-clockwise again from a standing start for 2 and 3/4 laps - once everyone has been timed both ways, your two times are added together and the person with the lowest combined time wins.
As always, it was really good fun: I won the competition, followed by my Brother in 2nd (Which he was chuffed with)
The real unexpected bit was the instructors opinions of my driving - after watching me, and both being in the car with me, I was recieving great feedback all day - both were impressed with my car control, especially the transision from one slide into another using the vehicles weight, and knowing when to adjust my line if needed. Plus using the cars momentum to slow instead of the brakes.
Now I will state now I don't think I am a great driver - but these guys were impressed enough to ask if I would be interested in looking at instructing.
This would require me to take my rally licence, and participate in at least 4 rallies - although Phil very kindly said he would help me all he could, I don't think it's finacially viable for me at the moment, but we shall see!
dad took a few videos, here is one of my laps. (Switch to HD, it looks a bit poor quality on the lower setting)
Now these may not look like the car is travelling particularly quickly, but believe me it's a lot harder than it looks! The track was drying in places, but like ice in others, and when sideways the cars are pretty much the width of most of the track, so you really had to be precice where you place the car.
Overall a really good fun day, and can't wait for my next one beginning of next year
As we walked in, Phil was just walking across the carpark and came over to say hi as he has recognised me from previous days (Not a bad memory that, as I'v not been in 2 years) and we had a quick chat before we all headed inside for the sign on and welcome.
For those who have never been, the day includes learning all aspects of rally driving.
The morning starts with a hello and introduction inside the viewing area, then a sit down to watch a short video where Phil explains the basics of car control - understeer, oversteer, left foot braking etc.
Once he has ran through the basics, we all then head outside to the track - the main track that is used is a short track made up of near constant corners - not very fast but perfect for learning car control.
Everyones name is put on a list (Just to state, there is no more than 9 people on any one day - this means you get maximum time in the cars) and we each take turns in going out in a car for a few laps on our own - this gives each person the opportunity to have a quick go at the course, and for the instructors (There are usually 2, plus Phil) to get an idea of how you drive. (Instructors have electronic cut off's for the cars, so if you get a bit silly they can put a stop to it without needing to be in the car every time)
After everyone has had a go, it's back to the top of the list and you then go out as a passenger with an instructor, and then you swap seats and have laps with the instructor beside you to help you work on what areas you need to work on.
While this is going on, Phil takes whoever is not out driving out in a Group N spec Subaru Impreza - this is a slow run (No helmets or seat belts) around Phil's main rally course (This 3 miles stage is usually used by the entrances of the Welsh stages in the WRC for testing) to give you an idea of what that is like - surface/feel - more on this later)
While we are on the subject, throughout the day, a number of different cars are used:
For the small stage (Which is used the most) there are 2 cars, either x2 Ford Escort Mk2's, or x2 Subaru Impreza's.
The Escorts are running a standard 2.0 Pinto with a free flowing filter, manifold and exhaust, proper suspension combined with a locked diff.
The Impreza's are converted to RWD, and have had a lot of work on the suspension - one of the instructors was telling me they have had the Impreza's a little while but have only recently got them set up to handle well
So the day carrys on like this, with x2 cars out on the short circuit at a time, with who-ever is not driving going out with Phil in the Grp N Impreza - this is a really good way of doing things, as due to the small number of people at the day, you spend very little time out the cars - usually enough time to grab a drink, or pop to the loo before you're back out again.
We all stop for lunch somewhere around 12:30-1pm for half an hour or so, which includes a buffet style lunch, with plenty of food to go around, and Phil sticks on a DVD of some kind (Ironically it was a rally crash video lol)
Phil also sits down and expains all about co-driving, different symbols and wordings that co-drivers use and all the back story to what goes on.
Oh, you get free tea and coffee at any point throughout the day too.
So, once lunch is done, we head back out to the track and back out in the cars, again going out on our own and with instructors so they can see our driving from both inside and outside the car.
The difference this time though is we all drive the course in anti-clockwise - this way it is like driving a difference course and means 'learning' all over again.
While this is going on, whoever is not driving now gets to tackle the main stage in the Impreza Phil took us out in earlier in the day - except before we go out Phil fits the other steering wheel - yup, the car is dual controlled - this is a good idea as his stage has trees, rocks and a good 300 ft drop in it!
If that was enough, Phil sits in with you and reads you pace notes around the stage - it's amazing how tough it is to drive quickly on a stage you don't know, with someone shouting random numbers and orders at you - Lucky that Phil is very experienced and takes things as slow (OR as quickly!) as you are comfortable with - we were really flying around and I manged to get air on two occasions which was great fun.
Once everyone had done the stage, Phil pops off and grabs one of his Toys for the next bit - everyone on the course gets a flat out passenger ride with Phil around the main stage - we were treated to going out in his 555 Impreza - which he aquired a number of years ago and has made it as close to the specification of Colin Mcrae's Impreza as he can - suffice to say it is stupidly quick - the section I got air on we must have been a good 3-4 ft off the floor - it helps Phil is a right nutcase behind the wheel mind!
After everyone has had a fast passenger ride, and before it's home time, we then have the competition!
This is a great ending to the day, as although in reality it's only a bit of fun, the chance of 'winning' means everyone is really on edge!
The basics is you have 2 and 3/4 laps of being timed from a standing start, you are allowed to hit 5 tyres, after that every tyre costs you 2 seconds, and a spin or all 4 wheels off the course adds a 15 second penalty.
After everyone has been around, you then swap to driving the course anti-clockwise again from a standing start for 2 and 3/4 laps - once everyone has been timed both ways, your two times are added together and the person with the lowest combined time wins.
As always, it was really good fun: I won the competition, followed by my Brother in 2nd (Which he was chuffed with)
The real unexpected bit was the instructors opinions of my driving - after watching me, and both being in the car with me, I was recieving great feedback all day - both were impressed with my car control, especially the transision from one slide into another using the vehicles weight, and knowing when to adjust my line if needed. Plus using the cars momentum to slow instead of the brakes.
Now I will state now I don't think I am a great driver - but these guys were impressed enough to ask if I would be interested in looking at instructing.
This would require me to take my rally licence, and participate in at least 4 rallies - although Phil very kindly said he would help me all he could, I don't think it's finacially viable for me at the moment, but we shall see!
dad took a few videos, here is one of my laps. (Switch to HD, it looks a bit poor quality on the lower setting)
Now these may not look like the car is travelling particularly quickly, but believe me it's a lot harder than it looks! The track was drying in places, but like ice in others, and when sideways the cars are pretty much the width of most of the track, so you really had to be precice where you place the car.
Overall a really good fun day, and can't wait for my next one beginning of next year
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