Last update ~ 6th April 2012 ~ CS

Blackpool & Fylde Advanced Motorists Group

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This run begins with a recap of items from Run 1, as follows ~

• External Vehicle Checks
• Cockpit Drill
• Appropriate starting techniques for your vehicle
• Static and Moving brake checks

You will have previously have been advised by our Associate Co-ordinator that this run has quite a large content and the subject matter relates to country lanes.  The concept that is going to be dealt with on this run is how you will deal with bends with specific reference to the use of the system of car control. We would advise you at this point to look and study a little presentation on this site which will explain in detail the principles of how you will be dealing with what we refer to as the Limit Point.  As you travel along country lanes on this run, there might be long stretches of open road with a uninterrupted view in front of you of say half a mile, or conversely there might be stretches of road with only yards of vision in front of you before the next bend. You will be introduced here into a scanning technique involving with the process of building up a picture of the road ahead by looking as far ahead as you can see, as if your eyes are on full beam, then middle distance, then close up in the foreground and then behind through the mirrors to see what is going on behind you.  The best way to practice this scanning technique is by the use of a commentary by detailing each of the 5 phases as you deal with the curve ahead.

You will also be given the means to determine whether you are going to alter your position as you approach a bend to obtain a better view around it.

As you are travelling around country lanes, obviously the stability of your vehicle will alter from the effects of forces acting on the car compared with normal conditions when you are travelling in a straight line with just enough acceleration to maintain your progress.  The effects of these forces on the vehicle whilst cornering left and right alter that stability and this brings in the relationship between the grip that your tyres have on the road whilst you are cornering and you vary the amount of acceleration, braking and steering that you apply. Your Observer will explain to you what happens when you brake and steer and accelerate and steer along with the possibilities of the effects on you and your vehicle if too much of each is applied.  You might be familiar with the terms understeer and oversteer but if not, all will be explained to you.

Reminding you of the Introductory Evening presentation, you were introduced into what we call The Driving Plan.  Whilst you are travelling on countryside roads, this is an ideal area to provide you with the practicality of the Plan.  If you remember, the plan consisted of a series of questions to be asked when you were experiencing a loss of vision ahead of you.

“What can I see, what can’t I see and what can I reasonably expect to find around that curve and what to do if things turn out differently to expectations”

Once you have got that principle settled in your mind, you will then transfer the concept to any road upon which you are driving.

Country lanes are ideal areas for you to be adventurous in exercising your overtaking skills.  Many of us do not overtake frequently as the opportunity does not necessarily arise and maybe we might tend to hold back behind the slower moving vehicle in front.  Obviously, the principles of overtaking are only applied if the need to overtake is apparent and that it is safe to do so.  Your Observer will provide you with guidance in exercising an overtake, should circumstances prevail.  Please look at our suggested explanation of what is referred to as The Overtaking Triangle.

At the conclusion of Run 3, you should have satisfied yourself that you are now totally familiar with ~

• The 5 phases of the system of car control
• Brake/gear overlap has been eliminated
• Pull-push steering technique

• The Observer will discuss with you the criteria on the Runsheet to highlight your progress and determine any areas that need to be practised before Run 4

The anticipated achieved outcomes at the completion of Run 3 should be the following ~

• Long range observation
• Correct positioning when approaching a bend
• The limit point in the speed phase on cornering
• The effects of forces acting upon your vehicle when braking and steering
• An effective commentary to compliment your drive.

Your Observer or most certainly, the Associate Co-ordinator will advise you by email in advance of the reading to be undertaken prior to Run 4 to highlight the content of that Run.

Once again, you will be expected to complete a simple Homework exercise to be submitted the start of Run 4.