Coaching Style
A Masterclass in track-driving artistry with Mark Hales and Don Palmer
Learning by experience is what most of us have to do and it will work in the end, but learning some basics and acquiring some tools such that you will be able to teach yourself in situations which you have never encountered, is quicker and infinitely more effective. All the best drivers - Schumacher, Prost, Senna - had a good technical understanding and this was a large part of their success.
We will also teach you how to put this knowledge to practical use. How to influence those dynamic consequences and put them together to best effect from behind the wheel at the same time extracting the maximum from you and your car. We will also teach you how to recognise and avoid situations which might cause you problems.
We will deal with the tricky task of learning circuits. How to work out the optimum line for you and for your car and how to deal with complex corners, cambers and the like, a common problem for the more adventurous trackday visitor or first-time racer.
It is a lot to learn, but the intent is not to overload you with theory which might be interesting but has little relevance, or to make you an expert in chassis dynamics - something we have yet to become ourselves. We will use a mixture of classroom and track activity but the idea is to keep it all completely practical and enjoyable and provide each participant with a basic toolkit which they can take away and use to teach themselves.
What we will not be doing is to provide honky cars for people to drive very fast. There are plenty of organisations doing that already and that is absolutely not what the course is about. We will be using ordinary, modern saloon cars. Neither will we be teaching you the perfect lines for Pau-Arnos in France or Anglesey in North Wales in the time-honoured 'aim-for-that-piece-of-yellow-armco-then-turn-and-keep-right-of-the-new-bit-of-surface-on-the-exit...' fashion. The hope is that by the close of play, you should be able to do that for yourself.
Every professional sportsperson has a coach, but for some reason race drivers are expected to develop their own skills. Driving a car safely on the road is something we should all aspire to as a matter of course but track use involves a different skill which requires a completely different approach. There should be no shame in admitting that.
We try very hard not to provide instruction, instead we create a learning partnership with the student. Once the student understands what they are trying to achieve - and why - and more important, creates their own way to accomplish the task, they will own the knowledge. This is the principle of coaching.
If the scheduled courses are not suitable, the Masterclass is also offered on an exclusive one to one basis. The course of instruction relies on all the same principles and concepts as the regular classes but is more focussed on the needs and aptitude of the individual. It is also more flexible. We can offer One to One at any circuit, anywhere in the world and in any car you choose. Contact us to discuss your requirements further.
Masterclass is a unique opportunity to learn with Don Palmer and Mark Hales, two highly experienced driving coaches. To find out more and book a course, see www.donpalmer.co.uk. Alternatively, here's a link to Don Palmer's contact details to get in touch.