Now bear with me, I don't mean finding a car park an acting like a complete twat, has/is anyone using this kind of weather (very light snow/slush etc) to practice controlling their S in a slide? Have/are you benefiting from it? I'm talking about finding a very quiet area and not on the road. Lastly is it a good idea?? It seems to make sense in my head.

 

A bit taboo this one in my opinion. I personally think a deserted car park and a sensible head would be a good combination, and yes you will learn a useful amount. I know; I did.

However:

You bet your bottom dollar that to any casual witnesses your 'learning' will look exactly the same as some 'yoof' just cocking about and you'll probably get the old bill phoned on y'ass. You may find an understanding copper, as they are quite used to this sort of behaviour in car parks and industrial estates alike, but even in the best case the two instructions will probably be the same as they always are;

"This is not the place" and "may I I suggest an professional tuition day"

Fair suggestions of course. I learnt a good amount of car control doing just the illegal-car park approach, but that was with a standard exhaust and intake! The more of a nuisance you are appearing; the more likely it is that a local will shop you.

Quiet, careful, and without a group of testosterone charged chums egging you on; you may be fine, if you catch my drift (pun intended)

 

You mean like this?

Almost 40 year old 'yoof' merrily cocking about in the carpark this morning

 

I will admit to 'learning' about my winter tyres last year on a quiet snow covered industrial estate

Started to get cocky though, thinking I was Mr. McRae for a while...until I nearly lost it into a large gate, then I went home very slowly I learnt that I am void of natural talent so should drive accordingly.

Also did a Car-Control course at Man-City earlier this year on in those hydraulic trolley beemers, that was a good learning experience.

 

Sat Nav was on the blink officer, I wasn't messing about, honestly! />

 

Ah so far it seems quite popular! Tango that's sound advice, a bit of common sense with the surroundings I think I should be ok. Tuition days on a skid pan are probably quite helpful I agree but I don't really want to spend money on sliding my car around, the money saved could fund a track day!

Unclefester they are some very clean looking lines lol! Almost Spirograph like!

 

I practice car control every winter on empty supermarket carparks. They're good in summertime too but you have to be careful because of the authorities. In Finland you can go to ice tracks to practise driving faster and more controlled. This video is from our private ice track on a lake. The ice was extremely slippery and I had bad winter tyres (still have them ). I screwed up a couple of times too but I found my limits.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UuO9WwE26o[/media]

 

Great post!

 

You have to know the car park very well - they usually stick too many gulleys & planters in there to be able to do anything meaningful.

10/10 for UF - in a very confined space!

 

I would be up for a car control or skid pan day. I have done the caterham drift days but it's different when it's not your car