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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 16 October 2007, 15:17:54

Title: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 October 2007, 15:17:54
Qualified for the annual West Midlands Group Championship Drive as the highest scoring associate member.

Dead chuffed, as I achieved this without any tutition :)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: maria on 16 October 2007, 15:29:32
Well done AA :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: ffcgary1 on 16 October 2007, 16:44:39
Very well done AA :y ;)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Paulus on 16 October 2007, 17:09:05
What does that mean then (for us stupid people).  :-[
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Crazydad on 16 October 2007, 17:12:47
Well done and good luck :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 October 2007, 17:22:38
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What does that mean then (for us stupid people).  :-[

I'm training for the RoSPA Advanced Driving Test.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 16 October 2007, 18:06:35
 Nice one! It's well worth doing.

 I'm getting settled into the Omega, then going to aim for Gold on my retest, having got Silver 18 months ago...  ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 16 October 2007, 18:25:22
Well done AA  :D :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: hotel21 on 16 October 2007, 19:55:32
Result, AA!  

Must be the company you keep round here.....    ;)   :D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Entwood on 16 October 2007, 20:08:56
So when you sell an Omega with "one careful owner" ...  do we assume we know which "one"  :)

Congrats :)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: razzo on 16 October 2007, 20:10:52
Top Banana AA  :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Chopsdad on 16 October 2007, 21:52:24
Well done AA - but why are the RSPCA doing driving tests anyway? ::)

Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Kevin Wood on 16 October 2007, 21:59:11
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 October 2007, 22:03:05
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Chopsdad on 16 October 2007, 22:05:49
That should get top marks Kevin cos you missed ALL the lights.  Good show   ;)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: hotel21 on 16 October 2007, 22:06:08
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

No broken glass, pair of rubber gloves and a powerwasher then a quick T-cut....  Think what it could have been!!   ;D   ;D  
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Chopsdad on 16 October 2007, 22:09:24
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

No broken glass, pair of rubber gloves and a powerwasher then a quick T-cut....  Think what it could have been!!   ;D   ;D  

Prefer them slow roasted myself with a drop of wine - I find T-cut a little rich::)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Kevin Wood on 16 October 2007, 22:13:09
It was almost cooked upon removal, and plucked on one side, thanks to the brake disk.

It was him or me, unfortunately. 60MPH down a single track road and he just hopped out of the hedge a car length in front of me :o

I thought at the time that I didn't see him in the mirrors and maybe he'd jumped back in at the last minute. Imagine how popular I was when I rolled up at a nice hotel in Peebles 30 miles later with said stowaway and proceeded to shove it in a carrier bag and dump it in one of their bins.  ::)

Kevin
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Nickbat on 16 October 2007, 23:22:42
If you hadn't topped him, he could have been an asset:

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n270/v6nick/pheasant.gif)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: A380 Elite on 17 October 2007, 00:01:59
 :D good luck AA
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 17 October 2007, 04:06:18
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

 :D Reminds me of the time I had to de-rabbit a driveshaft on a car I serviced... I've never hit anything bigger than a rabbit, not for lack of trying (I won't tell you what I do and don't slow down for... children and cats are on one list, dogs are on the other... ;) )
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Martin_1962 on 17 October 2007, 08:52:00
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

 :D Reminds me of the time I had to de-rabbit a driveshaft on a car I serviced... I've never hit anything bigger than a rabbit, not for lack of trying (I won't tell you what I do and don't slow down for... children and cats are on one list, dogs are on the other... ;) )

Dogs can do a lot of damage, as can suicide birds.

I don't brake for chavs.

A few years ago a chav rode his chavcycle across the road, then since some cars were coming stopped to make them brake. Luckily for chav I was not the first car.

I would have braked gently and late to hit him at walking pace! ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Kevin Wood on 17 October 2007, 09:20:31
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If you hadn't topped him, he could have been an asset:

True. The one small flaw in the plan being I never did find his head, not that it would have been much use detached. I suspect it was above the top wishbone at impact, whereas his body was below it. At least it was quick.

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Reminds me of the time I had to de-rabbit a driveshaft on a car I serviced...

Ahh, entrails wrapped round the propshaft is another delicacy. Happened to a mate of mine. We're not sure what it was - probably a squirrel, but boy, what a mess after it had been flailing round in the transmission tunnel :o

Kevin
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Bo Bo on 17 October 2007, 09:34:32
Congrats AA  :y


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and plucked on one side
I won't do the pheasant plucker joke  ::)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Kevin Wood on 17 October 2007, 10:01:19
Oh, and how did we get from RoSPA to Road Kill again?

To try and drift the thread back on course, I've often wondered about studying for some sort of advanced driving qualification (don't laugh, those who have sampled my driving).

I have absolutely no idea where to start. I know there are various organisations (IAM, ROSPA, High Performance Club, etc.) who offer this type of training. Could someone in the know perhaps give a run-down of the pro's and cons?

Kevin
  
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 17 October 2007, 14:57:55
RoSPA, you have to take a test every three years.

Log onto their web site, and you should be able to find your local group.

See here : - http://www.roada.org/groups/index.htm
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 17 October 2007, 15:34:09
I can't recommend Rospa enough. I was lucky enough to get an ex traffic copper as my observer, great teacher, and a top bloke too. Now, bearing in mind I was 18 when I did it, it was a huge learning curve - but well worth it, the first time someone you've not driven before says "you're a damned good driver, very smooth"... :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: MikeDundee on 17 October 2007, 18:29:50
Well done AA good luck :y don't be doing any of those funny impersonations now will you ::)

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/mickdundee_01/2007_0528keswickoof06070131.jpg)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 17 October 2007, 20:19:08
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Well done AA good luck :y don't be doing any of those funny impersonations now will you ::)

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/mickdundee_01/2007_0528keswickoof06070131.jpg)

I think Mark was heading for my car with his grubby hands ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: MikeDundee on 17 October 2007, 20:25:25
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Well done AA good luck :y don't be doing any of those funny impersonations now will you ::)

(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/mickdundee_01/2007_0528keswickoof06070131.jpg)

I think Mark was heading for my car with his grubby hands ;D

 ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: theolodian on 17 October 2007, 20:57:18
Somehow I still suspect that this is about golf not cars . . .  :P
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: hotel21 on 17 October 2007, 21:11:32
Without condoning misuse of speed in any shape manner or form, simply driving through a crowded city area and sussing all the hazards and taking the correct action, when it works, can be really satisfying.

Personally I think there is no greater buzz than to have a 30 - 40 minute drive in a powerfull car at full chat (more verbal than engine ...   ;D ) where absolutely everything  - hazard perception, road condition, weather, traffic et al - are absolutely spot on.  When you stop for your crit from the instructor, he/she says 'well, how was that?'  You reply 'thought it was OK'. And he/she replies, 'so did I.  Keep it up....'

Sometimes a serious crit makes you feel an inch high and capable barely of opening your front door without crashing, let alone hurtling a couple of tonne of car along the road at warp speed....  A good crit can make you feel like a giant....

More power to you AA.    :y

Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 17 October 2007, 22:41:45
Believe it or not, it can be more difficult in an auto.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: hotel21 on 17 October 2007, 22:56:37
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Believe it or not, it can be more difficult in an auto.

i know.  Only because you need more words when doing commentary....

If manual, accepted that gears need to be whatever...

If auto, you need to justify doing 2nd gear hold, or 3rd gear hold or whatever.....

Get a manual.  Much easier and accepted....   ::)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 18 October 2007, 06:52:05
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Believe it or not, it can be more difficult in an auto.

i know.  Only because you need more words when doing commentary....

If manual, accepted that gears need to be whatever...

If auto, you need to justify doing 2nd gear hold, or 3rd gear hold or whatever.....

Get a manual.  Much easier and accepted....   ::)

It's quite difficult to keep an auto at speed limits, especially on roads with gentle slopes.

You have to do a lot of manual shifting.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Kevin Wood on 18 October 2007, 09:39:45
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Get a manual.  Much easier and accepted....

That's OK. I've got a manual ;)

Just got to find an instructor who doesn't mind missing out on a few creature comforts. Like doors and a roof.

Kevin
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 October 2007, 19:53:20
Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 28 October 2007, 19:58:40
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Well done AA  :y

Does this mean you've passed the course  :-/
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: MikeDundee on 28 October 2007, 19:59:57
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Congrats AA :y
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 October 2007, 20:02:37
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Well done AA  :y

Does this mean you've passed the course  :-/

No, I haven't taken the test yet, I've applied this week, awaiting a date.

Beat guys who have already passed the test.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 28 October 2007, 20:07:11
Nice one AA. Just looking at your location... out of interest, do you know any senior observers by the name of Nigel?

Out of interest, how many on here have something more than the DSA test to their name? (hotel21... I'm probably going to be very jealous of you... :))
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 28 October 2007, 20:07:52
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Well done AA  :y

Does this mean you've passed the course  :-/

No, I haven't taken the test yet, I've applied this week, awaiting a date.

Beat guys who have already passed the test.

Well done again AA  :y

You'll pass it easy then  :y

Just remember to take off your hat  ;D ;)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 October 2007, 20:09:59
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Well done AA  :y

Does this mean you've passed the course  :-/

No, I haven't taken the test yet, I've applied this week, awaiting a date.

Beat guys who have already passed the test.

Well done again AA  :y

You'll pass it easy then  :y

Just remember to take off your hat  ;D ;)

That's where I went wrong ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 28 October 2007, 20:26:39
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Well done AA  :y

Does this mean you've passed the course  :-/

No, I haven't taken the test yet, I've applied this week, awaiting a date.

Beat guys who have already passed the test.

Well done again AA  :y

You'll pass it easy then  :y

Just remember to take off your hat  ;D ;)

That's where I went wrong ;D

Only other advise i would give is......refrain from flicking ciggie ash at examiner whilst driving....and refrain from lowering your window and shouting obsenties at other road users for doing 50mph in the middle lane of the motorway......altho we all know 45mph is the max speed for the middle lane  :y ;D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: amigov6 on 28 October 2007, 20:58:32
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Do they test you on "pheasant avoidance" and "hedgehog awareness" or do you lose marks for being an animal in charge of a car?

 :o

Oh, dear! That's me failed then. :'(

(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/kjwood/dscf0002.jpg)

No broken glass, pair of rubber gloves and a powerwasher then a quick T-cut....  Think what it could have been!!   ;D   ;D  

Prefer them slow roasted myself with a drop of wine - I find T-cut a little rich::)
:)Just beware the lead shot Broocie!
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: hotel21 on 28 October 2007, 22:23:56
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.....Out of interest, how many on here have something more than the DSA test to their name? (hotel21... I'm probably going to be very jealous of you... :))

Like a number of others here, done a few miles out and about driving and riding different wheels.....   ;)

Not the best of examples but one of the first found with video etc....   http://www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk/video_clips_index.htm
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 29 October 2007, 06:30:27
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Came second, with 164 points out of a possible 280.

Winner scored 1.1/2 points more than me.

Ooops, that should have been 264, not 164.
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 29 October 2007, 11:53:39
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.....Out of interest, how many on here have something more than the DSA test to their name? (hotel21... I'm probably going to be very jealous of you... :))

Like a number of others here, done a few miles out and about driving and riding different wheels.....   ;)

Not the best of examples but one of the first found with video etc....   http://www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk/video_clips_index.htm

 :D

 I've driven my last car towards that man at 60mph... few better ways to realise the power of ABS. :y (Luckily, it was a driver training day, he wasn't just crossing the road...)
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: bob.dent on 29 October 2007, 16:29:21
Very well done AA  :y :y

I take it these courses don't involve high speed tests!! ::) :D
Title: Re: RoSPA Advanced Driving
Post by: Auto Addict on 29 October 2007, 17:51:27
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Very well done AA  :y :y

I take it these courses don't involve high speed tests!! ::) :D

They don't like you hanging about if the road conditions warrant it ;)