Chance to let young people experience driving a car...
We take a look at YoungDrive! at Donington Park
STUCK for a unique idea for a Christmas present for your child? Well, how about letting them loose behind the wheel of a car...
It may sound strange, but children and teenagers as young as 11 can sample life driving a car for the first time with YoungDrive! a driving school with a difference, which holds sessions at Donington Park in Castle Donington.
It certainly beats driving around a shopping centre car park!
YoungDrive! is open to anyone aged 11 and over, allowing your youngster to gain their first experience behind the wheel much earlier than they would on the open road. They are taught the basics of driving by one of an elite team of highly trained instructors within the confines of the race circuit, creating a safe and stressfree environment, perfect for their first taste of driving.
The sessions are booked in advance, so your child has plenty of time to get excited about taking to the road.
The day begins with a quick introduction and classroom briefing on the basics of the car and rules of the road - and then it is off to the vehicle.
The car, a dual controlled MINI ONE, is fitted with dual controls and pupils are accompanied by an instructor and may share the car with up to two others.
The great thing about this is that they get lots of driving time - indeed, within minutes of entering the vehicle, the first pupil is off driving around the large circuit.
They receive in-car briefing on the controls and continual coaching as they drive, taking it in turns doing the same manoeuvres each.
Safety is paramount but the emphasis is on having fun and building their confidence behind the wheel.
The sessions involve moving off and stopping, steering through cone configurations, clutch control, changing gears, and then building up speed and steady driving (up to 40mph) on closed off sections of the circuit, and even reversing into a space.
Students rotate, driving and watching from the rear seat, and at the end of it there is a debriefing and certificate presentation.
My son had a great time taking part. He has had plenty of practice virtually (on videogames) but this was a good way of showing him the difference, as he could see how much force was needed to use the pedals, and how you have to be aware of the size of the vehicle.
And it also made him appreciate the real speed of the vehicle, which is handy for younger pedestrians in their everyday
life, as they realise how quick a vehicle can approach on the road. A vital thing to know on the walk to school!
The experience lasted around 2.5 hours in total, so they get a good introduction to driving - and it certainly sets them up for a future behind the wheel.
Similar sessions are also available at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Bedford Autodrome.
For more details about YoungDrive! and to book, visit http://www. msvdr i v i n g g i f t s. c o m / d r i v i n g - experience/youngdrive/