If you are lucky enough to have a nice car, while it’s probably fast, it can also be strangely frustrating to use. Traffic, speed limits and urban sprawl all seem to conspire to make a drive a bit of a chore. As car enthusiasts we probably all have a natural tendency to consider that our skill set is at a higher level than it is in reality. I was, in my own mind, a reasonably competent and fast driver, but of course the truth was that I was still in need of improvement. I was amazed at just how much I learnt over the two days of my course; and just how good it feels when one’s driving becomes balanced and fluid, and how that translates to a greater connection with my car, and even more enjoyment driving it.

I was looking for a course that wasn’t just about going fast around a track; yes a track is used, but it is very relevant and so much more than just going fast. On track you will quickly develop both a greater feel and understanding of your own car’s dynamic behaviour and the control and effect you can have over this. Driving your car over some demanding and well laid out tracks, building up your speed as appropriate whilst maintaining smooth fluid progress. You then move out onto the road to further develop these skills in a real world setting, using some wonderfully empty, flowing roads and wow does it feel good when it all comes together and you get it right.

Ivan’s great skill is to rapidly asses and constructively critique your abilities and then patiently develop you as a more aware, fluid and safer driver. He doesn’t work to a standard format or script, and even from our initial telephone conversation was careful to understand exactly what I wanted from the course. He makes it very clear it is your course, your car and that you take everything at your own pace. The result for me was a much greater awareness, with my vision lifted to be very much further ahead. My road positioning has developed to maximise vision and my inputs on the cars’ controls are more appropriate to create a smoother driving style. This all translates into more efficient and comfortable progress, both for occupants and car alike and for me a greatly renewed enthusiasm for driving. Making progress isn’t just about out and out speed, but more of maintaining a smooth appropriate pace throughout one’s journey.

No matter what level of driver you are, you owe it to yourself, your passengers and your cars to continue to develop as a driver, and Total Car Control certainly delivers in all respects.

D. Reeves

I was amazed at just how much I learnt over the two days of my course; and just how good it feels when one’s driving becomes balanced and fluid, and how that translates to a greater connection with my car, and even more enjoyment driving it. No matter what level of driver you are, you owe it to yourself, your passengers and your cars to continue to develop as a driver, and Total Car Control certainly delivers in all respects.