U17 Cc

[Gukophoto]

It recently occured to me, whilst reading some of the other threads, that I have neglected to tell some of you about one of the biggest experiences in my life.

If your on this forum and under 15 then your still young enough to harass your parents to let you do this.

When I was 10 years old my parents took me out for the day, telling me we were going to a fair, for my birthday (November), then that Christmas, my parents gave me a folder for my brithday. You see what it was wasnt a fair, it was a special open day for the Under 17s Car Club.

I saw loads of kids driving their parents cars, and even HGV's. It was sooo cool, but what was cooler was when my parents gave me the present and said, here you go, and that was the start of my life driving.

So winter became Spring and the club started up again in March (it ran March too Nov).

In the club, it basically teaches kids (now from age 12) up to 17 years old how to drive, on private land. You are taught the highway code, taken on lessons, and assessed every 3 times you attend, on how your driving standard is.

Just take a moment to think, because you do this all in your parents own cars, on small road ways (and where no clear road is defined, traffic cones make a road. There is two way traffic.. If I knew how to embed a video I would do it right now.

So for years I was a member in this club and by the time I turned 17 I had experienced so much, some of which is explained below, but I had already passed the standard required for your driving test, and had achieved the clubs equivilant to your pass plus, and was working on my Advanced driving (basically that would mean that on the roads, I would not yet have these qualifications, but if I went for them I should get pass with ease.

During my time at the club I got to drive a whole range of vehicles, including:

several 18wheeler lorries, including one which as I approached a Roundabout at 65MPH, I was told that there was £500,000 of printers on the back...
Smaller lorries.
To the sort of cars you guys on here are more likely to like,
From my parents, cars (through the times) Volvo, Nisan Micra, Skoda Fabia (best one), Nissan Almera, Toyta Yaris, Honda CR-V

But then I got to drive other peoples cars, including:
Toyta MR2, Ferarri 355, Mitsibushi Evo 8, Sabaru, Citroen C5, Volvo S40 Turbo, Fiat Punto Sport, Vaxhaul Corsa, Vaxhual Astra, MErcedes Vito, Rover 45, BMW 3 series, Ford Mondeo, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Fire Engines, Police Cars, Ford Ka, Peugeot 206, Metro (100% moddified for track racing only).. So many cars to even remember right now, I may add to this list as and when I remember.

I really loved this club and driving these cars wasnt all I got to do, I also got to do a whole load of other cools stuff like:

Advance Car Control, which was basically Castle Combe Race Circuit, in the afternoon, we cleared away the cones and learnt how to control our cars at speed, whilst following the raceing lines etc

Skill Tests, testing our skill at controlling a car at high speeds in confined spaces, to maximise points etc

Rally Day - Where I went rallying for the day, Also got to - play in JCB, Race Honda Pilots and partaking in Caterham racing, which was ssoooooooo FAST

Truck Day, where I obviously got to drive the trucks.

Karting, we wanted to keep the club fun so we occasionally had Karting events

As mentioned before these took place at various locations across the country, including Bedford Autodrome, Castle Combe Race Circuit, Prodrive Warwickshire, which I loved as I could thrash my old Almera around the mini rally track at the bottom of their circuit.


We got the prodrive venue because one of our Ex members now worked for Sabaru and Prodrive... the late Richard Burns... World RallY Champion 2001 first learnt to drive with this club and he was an honoary life member. He was a great person and a good friend to us all. His death was a sad moment (and curiously exactly the same date as which he won the title in 2001! )

So thats a big part of my life.. hope you all found that entertaining

A

[red daze]

Thats great mate!

I never had anything like that when I was a nipper!.

Still drove parents cars though (obviously not on roads, more like large car parks).

Obviously doing the job I do now, I get to drive most things but never would I have had the chance in my younger years.

Great post mate + rep

[Gukophoto]

Muchly appreciated.. It was an experience, and it taught me a lot..



A

[NazzWii]

Originally Posted by red daze

Thats great mate!

I never had anything like that when I was a nipper!.

Still drove parents cars though (obviously not on roads, more like large car parks).

Great post mate + rep

Ditto .

[Hooblue]

Great post Alex!

As well as being fun that actually sounds like a great idea to have an under 17 car club as it obviously teaches kids to drive at an earlier age. That would hopefully teach them to be better drivers by the time they become ‘road legal’ and thus improve the standard of young drivers on the road these days.

I was quite lucky like you in that my dad was actually a driving instructor as well as an instructor with the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). He’s a great driver and so, so patient. He took me out driving when I was about 13 on private roads so I learnt young too and by the time I was 17 I could drive no problem. Passed my test first time.

Over the years I’ve driven quite a few types of cars. When I was on my work experience I worked for the AA in Basingstoke and got to drive the boss’ company cars, including Merc’s, BMW’s, Jag’s aswell as stuff like Honda Prelude’s, people carriers and various others.

I’ve also driven big lorries as well as a tank and other military vehicles (my mum used to work for the MOD).

I wouldn’t say I’m a petrol head but I do like cars and I like driving too and would like to think I’m a fairly decent driver (no points, yet! ).

Red, what do you do that means you get to drive loads of different things?

[NazzWii]

Hoo - Red drives his Mrs. up the wall .

I'm no petrol head either but do love to drive. Nil point for me too Hoo.

[ynneBenny]

I hate cars and driving.....petrol is too expensive, MOT's, Road Tax, insurance, services, breakdown cover etc etc, it's just one big expense. Then there's all the people you have to deal with on the roads who can't drive properly.

[red daze]

Originally Posted by NazzWii

Hoo - Red drives his Mrs. up the wall .

You're not far wrong!!!

Originally Posted by Hooblue

Red, what do you do that means you get to drive loads of different things?

I work for BMW, we have just got the new X6 in - very odd looking thing! Drive like you wouldnt believe though!

[Hooblue]

Originally Posted by red daze

You're not far wrong!!!

I work for BMW, we have just got the new X6 in - very odd looking thing! Drive like you wouldnt believe though!

Ah, that explains it! Whereabouts is that? We've got the Mini factory in Oxford so I see quite a few new BMW's around there whenever I drive past and the odd secret test drive car too.

As for points, haven't got any so far although got done last year. 35 in a 30 zone. Luckily I got let off and had to go on one of those speed awareness courses where I basically had to do a theory test along with the practical test thing (I didn't have to do either when I passed as it was years ago). Didn't matter if I passed or failed but passed both with flying colours!