Aberdeen Rally Centre

[kerryxeg]

We did a little event with ARC today. They are setting up a centre with a nice gravel loop to master the art of rallying, or at least have a go. We got the basics in a fully prep'd suzuki swift and then progressed onto an impreza. With one of the local experts giving us a quick lap on a longer loop. It was a very enjoyable day, good instruction, good cars, no real limitations but a good focus on getting the techniques sorted out.

ARC are just getting going so this was a bit of a trial event for them, a very nice little setup just north of Stonehaven.

[graeme]

Didn't know it existed. I'd be up for a visit!

[kerryxeg]

They are just getting started. One of the instructors was Quintin Wilson - just checked he was second in this years Scottish Championship - explains why I was so poor by comparison. As an instructor though he gave plenty encouragement.

[Andy G]

Sounds excellent

SE day out?

[graeme]

Definitely Andy!

[Dominic]

Definitely Andy!

[Mikie711]

Quintin Milne is the guy that runs this. If you want a day out then I can give him a call. Same guy I got my Mk1 shell from.

[Shug]

Definitely Andy!

[flyingscot68]

I've always fancied a go in a rally car but was put off Knockhill by several people.

This sounds good

[Mikie711]

Spoke to Quintin and found out some details.

Half corporate day with lunch same as what Kerry has just done costs £350 per person. Teaches basic techniques with timed runs in the impreza. Can be a bit cheaper if you don't want lunch, for groups of 10-12 people.

[j2 lot]

Any idea how much time in car each individual would get for that deal Mike?

[Scotty C]

Spoke to Quintin and found out some details.

Half corporate day with lunch same as what Kerry has just done costs £350 per person. Teaches basic techniques with timed runs in the impreza. Can be a bit cheaper if you don't want lunch, for groups of 10-12 people.

I had a chat with Quintin when I was down collecting mikes shell.

I don't wan to put anyone off, but if you want a blast through there rally stage you will be sitting in the pax seat.

he didn't really sell it to me I recon you will get 1 hour max in the drivers seat, mainly on a coned field.

will have to wait and see once I here from someone that's been.

[kerryxeg]

As per the original post, I as there yesterday. There is some incar footage http://youtu.be/k416XRVOGAw, not the best to see what you are getting. I've got some video and pics external so will post up when I get a chance.

Format for the day was

Intro and explanation of 2wd and 4wd cars and handbrake turns.
Then suited an booted 1 to 1 with the instructor - a demo lap in a suzuki swift followed by maybe 8 laps with you driving. The lap is 0.8miles and is a purpose built track with smooth bankings and tyre markers - enough to keep you safe.
They have 2 cars of each type so rotate between instructors with 1 car on track at a time.
After everyone has completed the swift the process is repeated with Subaru Impreza's
At the end of the day everyone does a 2 lap sprint with the second lap being a timed lap.
In addition Brian (wilson?) who owns the place was doing full on demo runs in his Evo on the outer track.

Time in the car is going to be down to the number of people. We were there from 10am -4pm and there was 10 of us. We were doing it as a corporate event so obviously not paying for it myself, but I'd be very keen to go back at my cost and get a bit more practice. In all honesty after 8 laps you've probably got to the point where you've learned the basics and new mistakes are starting to creep in - so time for a break.

Compared to track days rallying is much harder on cars and is never going to be cheap, this did feel like a proper go at rallying with some of the best talent teaching you. We were encouraged to be sensible, because that is the quickest way round, but I cocked up a few times and never hear a negative, just more encouragement on what I should do next time.

I've done rallying at Knockhill and can assure you this is 100% better and is not an artificial version. The cars are all proper log booked cars and there is enough space between the bend to get them moving quickly and keep up a good pace if you get things right. A lap in the subarus was taking around 1min, the swifts surprisingly would have been close to that if driven well. 190bhp vs 280bhp. We did have a few car issues - some front end plastic, clutch pipe and a drive shaft, add that to tyre, fuel and instruction costs and you can see where the cash goes.

[Mikie711]

Quintin did say he spoke to you on the day Kerry, and if you went along that perhaps you would want to work on some other stuff rather than redo the basics.

[kerryxeg]

The group that were with me have all got previous experience on track or similar, but rallying was new to us all - certainly at this level of instruction.

I didn't feel I quite got the basics - I certainly understood what I was told but quite often didn't get it right, Quintin was full of encouragement though.

I really learned a lot..........mainly that I need to drive manual cars more if I'm going to get my head around the handbrake clutch combinations. Road car handling certainly helps, but it really doesn't prepare you for the cornering options you have in the rally car.

Getting the braking right, the need for the handbrake, the amount of correction, dipping the clutch and then remembering to accelerate out was frying my brain a bit. Every corner was a bit different so plenty to work out. Which probably explains everything, you have to get some practice and confidence before the correct combinations start to get instinctive. Overall it was a great experience and it left me feeling that a bit more practice and it would start to come more natural.