Hi all,

Can anybody who has done it, please tell me what it involves?

From a search of this forum, and a trip to the Murcott site, I guess that it’s a sort of mixture of road sense and car control. Is that right?

I have not yet received my ‘welcome pack’ but I’m hoping that it might contain more information on the subject.

In the meantime, does anybody know of any other good courses available in the Perth area? The Murcott site mentions running occasional “Defensive Driving Program Level 1” courses in Perth, but that’s all. Does that sound like the one?

I’d like to find something that would teach a bit of car control – braking, cornering etc. and perhaps allow a lap or two of a track, either in the RX or instructor’s car. Anybody from WA here?

 

Well, I found a few opportunities on offer at the WA Sporting car Club site. Mostly at Barbagallo raceway, Wanneroo I think.

WASCC Driver Training page

Can anybody give any info about the sort of routines you went through on the Murcott course please?

 

Mine is on Wednesday. I am not overly excited about it, but I hope to make the best of it.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

I booked it, but work got in the way within the minimum cancellation period, so I missed it.

I think the more advance courses would be ok, but I fear the defensive driving intro course would be a bit light on.

 

BVD

I have done the jim murcott course defensive drive at willowbank raceway in queensland , the course concentrates mostly on safe braking distances , manuevering procedures , safety aspects of cars and driving tips all basic stuff but worth while .

Most of the course is basic , however most drivers need to be constantly reminded of the safety aspects of driving as there is still to many deaths on our roads .

Hope this helps.

 

I did the murcotts course about five years ago when I got my Rx-7. Found it very basic in the way it was run and the outcome of the course. However I have a fair bit of driving experience, and have done (and instructed) in many advanced driving courses.


Considering the murcotts course is a gift you may as well do it. However if you want something better then get in touch with the local sporting car club society in your state and get a list of the driver training courses being run. They are often run by enthusiasts who have extensive racing experience.

However after this most recent experience, maybe I should go back to the student level

 

OUCH!

Was than in an event? Hit the wall? Tell the story...

 

Ouch.

Thanks for all the input guys. It sounds like the course available at Perth is pretty much the one that everyone gets, which is good to know.

I'll go and do it anyway. At my age any refresher courses can only be handy.

I've also been looking into the local car clubs, some of which appear to have track days where you can enjoy yourself a bit without getting involved in serious competition. Sounds good.

 

The wall at 180km/hr!

 

I dont suppose any clubs have bought RX8's to hire out for track days?

I'll be crossing your great country again in April/May, and I'm not sure I could survive the RX8 withdrawal. Be great if I could drive the nuts off someone elses on a track

Cheers
---Dave

 

I did the course at Oran Park about a month ago. It was worth doing, if for no other reason than it was free. Even if you think you are already an above average driver (don't we all ), you will still learn a few things. Things I took out the course were:

1. The importance of having your seating position correct - I've changed mine since I did the course.

2. Better knowledge about ABS brakes, how they work, what they do and don't do for you in an emergency. (This is my first car with ABS).

3. More confidence in the RX-8's stopping ability. It's amazing how fast you can stop the car if you really need to. The '8 pulled up in the straight line braking exercises from 60km/h more than a car length better than anything else out there.

4. Some good info on skid control. What causes them, what you can do to get out of them, and what to do if you totally flick out of control (hit the skids hold on). Gone is the notion that I might stilll be able to 'save it' with some fancy driving once the car is facing back in the direction I came from....

I was disappointed that we didn't at least get a lap or two around the track, but once you've done the level 1 course, you can sign up for more advanced courses if you want to go that way.

There is also a pretty good chance that you wont be the only RX-8 there either, since everyone who buys this car gets the course for free. Make sure you point them towards this forum! The more the merrier....

DGW

 

Anyone want to do it in Melbourne with me????

I have done it 6 years ago in my CIVIC and by the sounds of things we are doing those thing at the Sandown again.

I don't want to go by myself as I don't want to mix with other "rice" boys or old Datson or Volvo drivers.

 

out of interest, how much is it?

++Dez;

 

free if you bought the car out of the box

 

$250 I think, but it's all on the website.

 

Dez

I heard an ad on the radio tonight that they have a special $99 in December !!!

Here is the link

http://www.murcott.com.au/christmas03.html

I bet Mazda paid about $50 !!

R

 

Hey Rob,

ta muchly - we should get a group to attend on the same day for the heck of it!

---Cut&Paste---
http://www.murcott.com.au/christmas03.html
Only $99
(Regular Price $250)
for Victoria and News South Wales only
---Cut&Paste---

Ah - the old "get three sponsors to cover 85% of the costs and still manage to sell the tickets for $99 ( the one dolalr difference makes it feel all that much less than $100 doesn't it!?

Holden, 3AW and 2GB - wonder what on earth they paid for, they shoudl be getting paid for taking part! Surely they just donated air time [ holden prolly gave the beat up car for the course day ].

++dez;

 

Dez - it's free for all RX-8 purchasers, not just the pre-order squad. The details/registration form will be in your welcome pack, which usually arrives about 6 weeks after delivery. Check with Mazda before you go forking out 99 big ones.

 

I'm doing it in Sydney (Quakers Hill) next Tuesday - 2nd December. Anyone else booked for that day?

 

I did mine yesterday. Very worth while, but I would really like to do the level 2 course and beyond.

 

Me too, but at $250 per course, I think I will be teaching myself from here. If anyone else does or has done any of the more advanced courses, I'd love to hear some feedback as to whether or not it is worth forking out your own cash for the experience.