Scottish Elises

Was just wanting to know if anyone has had any experience with different instructors at Knockhill? Have just bought my girlfriend a performance driving course (on track in my car) as one of her 30's presents and want her to learn as much from the experience. Was wondering if any of the instructors are more familiar with Elises/Exiges and know how to get the best out of them, and also if any of them are better teachers than others.

The reason I ask was I did the same course last year and although I enjoyed it, the instructor was quite young and not the best teacher, although he was undoubtedly fast and a talented race driver. I didn't rate him as an instructor I also didn't like the way when I was driving he would reach over and steer the car adjusting my lines going into a corner. I would rather he would explain what I was doing wrong rather than taking over. Anyway any help would be great. I don't know maybe you can't even request a certain instructor?

Hi Euan

I book out a couple of instructors when I hire out KH for my annual works tracknight. Over the years I have had a mix of the husband and wife team of Sasha and Alan, the father and son team of Alasdair and Scott and also Maxine. To be fair I think all of them have been good. If I was to pick just one, I felt I progressed most with Sasha. Perhaps that was just because I was out with her more recently than the others, but the way she had me approaching macintyres and her explanation of how i was tackling the hairpin wrongly was clearly explained and one of those so-obvious-how-did-I-not-think-of-that sort of moments. Haven't had Rory or Joe yet.

When are you going up ? My tracknight is in 3 weeks so might have more feedback then! I was given an open choice of which instructors I want but that might be because I have got to know Gemma in the office and her team quite well now. If for your girlfriend, she might feel better with a female instructor so Sasha might be a good shout.

Harry Simpson

eoinmac wrote:Harry Simpson

not if shes feminine at all unless hes changed he will be too busy looking at her cleavage to give any useful instruction

I used to instruct at Knockhill so know all the instructors pretty well, Been mates with Rory since we were young and I mechanic'd for him the last few years with his FF1600 (Scottich champion, National champion on the track, Brands Festival winner etc )

I know Rory has been out for a few one to ones with guys in Elises, Exiges and VX's and he's driven my Elise so knows what they're about, He's also racing a mid engined rear drive KTM in this years GT4's. To be honest though all of the instructors will have been out in an Elise variant at some point and it's only the more experienced instructors that do the one to one days anyway so you'll definately take something away from it.

Gooldie- With regards to the instructor reaching over for the wheel I know it sounds a bit intrustive but the theory is if the instructor shows you the line (and importantly tells you) on that lap- the next lap you'll get it right. If you were only told- you still might not get it right next time. The improtant thing he perhaps missed out that time was the theory

Let us know how you / the girlfriend get on and which instructor gets the pleasure of driving your Exige!

I was lucky enough to have Gordon Sheddon take me out for my day. He was very good at explaining and showing every aspect of the track, lines etc.

Thanks everyone as DJ said I think she might be more at easy with a female instructor so i spoke to the girls in the office at knockhill yesterday an requested either Sasha or Maxine and they didn't think that would be a problem.

I was up at Knockhill last night and was feeling very happy on track if a bit slow! So i have clearly taken on board a lot from what i was taught by the instructor i had.

I did the performance driving course in my Elise and had Maxine as my instructor.

Now I've got no previous experience to use for comparison but have no complaints really felt I learned a lot about the car and the track and will now feel a little more confident attending the odd track day.

I mentioned that I had done the skid control course a few weeks earlier and when we got a little rain half way through the session I was encouraged to explore the wet limits of my car.

I sure whoever your girlfriend ends up with on the day, that she will have a blast. Only problem I see is the two of you having to decide who gets the keys next track day!!