Over the years we have tried many different course configurations. Since the condition and shape of each area is different, it is necessary to build slightly different courses for each.
Because of the reality of limited training time behind the wheel of the SKIDCAR, we have designed some short and simple layouts to gain maximum value from the least amount of time and space. Our priorities for SKIDCAR use with a limited time behind the wheel are:
1. Use of the Eyes - You must look in the direction you want to go
2. Use of the Steering Wheel - Experience shows us that most everyone uses the steering wheel too much, and needed knowledge of how the front contact patches actually work is quick, easy, and enlightening in the SKIDCAR.
3. Use of the Brakes – The brakes should be seen as a tool to stabilize and add grip to the car rather than just something to use to slow or stop.
4. Maximum Repetition - A course 30 to 40 seconds in length allows maximum repetition. If you only have 15 minutes per student, a 30 second course give them thirty tries to get it right or wrong!
So if you follow my drift (a little skid humor) a simple oval designed to move the drivers’ eyes past the windshield post and out the side window is good for the use of head and eyes.
A turn designed with a long enough radius to allow for good and bad stable platform cornering techniques will provide validation of "Do everything sooner but less of it."
The two straightaways should be long enough to build enough speed to practice critical braking techniques for corner entry. This also helps with throttle application as they have to learn not to spin the rear tires on acceleration.
We have seen very good training response leaving the grip level constant during the 15 minutes and decreasing the amount of "NEW" traction levels to deal with. We still feel it is entirely appropriate to segregate front wheel skids and rear wheel skids, but time being what it is, which is the more important experience?
We have found that if we make the desired outcomes simpler, the student gets it quicker and validation of cognitive information about real world vehicle control comes with a shorter investment of time.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Crossroads Driver Training
The new SKIDCAR SYSTEM delivered to Crossroads Driver Training in Manitoba, Canada at the end of last year is certainly being put to good use. Dane Wilson teaches driver safety, skid control, and skid avoidance with his Type “A” SKIDCAR SYSTEM installed on a Chevrolet Impala. Take a look at the article “Just skidding around”…..
http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/index.php?action=news&step=blog&id=2478
http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/index.php?action=news&step=blog&id=2478
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Omaha PD to Unveil New SKIDCAR to the Public
On June 10th, the Omaha Police Department will show off their new SKIDCAR System during the first annual Firefighter and Police Appreciation Day. The SKIDCAR was purchased through donations to the nonprofit Firefighter and Police Appreciation Foundation in an effort to save the lives of both officers and citizens by training better, safer drivers. For details on the event, read http://www.omaha.com/article/20100418/NEWS01/100419614/1009#michael-kelly-600-000-tribute, and check out pics of the Omaha SKIDCAR below!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
SkidTruck Instructor Training
SkidTruck Instructor Training
SkidCar System President, Dane Pitarresi, was in Oregon earlier this month teaching and certifying additional instructors for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. These new instructors will become part of an already outstanding driver training program used throughout the state for both volunteer and permanent Firefighters. Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwUgN-pqhbc&feature=youtube_gdata to learn more about the DPSST program.
SkidCar System President, Dane Pitarresi, was in Oregon earlier this month teaching and certifying additional instructors for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. These new instructors will become part of an already outstanding driver training program used throughout the state for both volunteer and permanent Firefighters. Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwUgN-pqhbc&feature=youtube_gdata to learn more about the DPSST program.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
2010 Conference Press Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, April 29 – SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. completed its third International SKIDCAR™ Users Conference earlier this month with great success. Attendees included guests from four countries representing Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Departments, Municipal Risk Pools, and leaders from Swedish Road Safety organizations.
Presentations focused on the topic of “Training the Young and/or Inexperienced Driver” and were delivered from multiple driver training disciplines. Speakers included Phil Liggins of Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, Captain Mark Varney of the New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Council, Jim Hawkins of Skid Car UK (United Kingdom), Captain Mike Fitzgerald of the Edmond Fire Department in Oklahoma, Peter Bjalkendahl of Lubricum Ltd. and Rolf Bogmark of Eksjo Transport Training in Sweden, Randy Jacoby of the Precision Driving Training Center at Oklahoma State University, and Steve Westerberg of SKIDCAR SYSTEM. Also in attendance were Curt Cedergren, Anders Cedergren, and Ulf Nordin of Cedergrens MEK Verkstad, the Swedish manufacturer of SKIDCAR SYSTEM®.
A new element of this year’s conference was SKIDCAR Instructor Re-Certifications. Certification received through the five-day SKIDCAR course is valid for three years. Instructors needing to renew their certification were able to do so at the conference by participating in classroom and in-car driving sessions.
SKIDCAR Service Clinics were also offered, and are an important and popular part of every conference. Service topics covered hydraulics, electrical, and tire and wheel maintenance. Arnco tire flatproofing experts were also on-hand to answer questions regarding the appropriate fill product and details for maximum effectiveness and efficiency of SKIDCAR tires.
Following the conclusion of the conference, SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. representatives were on hand for a day to conduct demonstrations of the system to interested agencies and potential customers. The demonstration unit was installed on a Chevy Tahoe with Electronic Stability Control capabilities, allowing interested users to see the benefits of using the system on vehicles designed for skid reduction. The SKIDCAR SYSTEM is unique in its simulation of the true-to-life feeling of vehicle handling during hazardous conditions while still providing a safe learning environment. It is an ideal driver training tool on its own, or in combination with an out-of-vehicle visual simulator.
The SKIDCAR SYSTEM demonstrations were featured on the Fox 5 Morning News and can be seen at http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/23091049/index.html.
About SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC.:
SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. has operated as the exclusive distributor of SKIDCAR products for North America since 1990. SKIDCAR™ & SKIDTRUCK™ technology enable the user to adjust the co-efficient of friction (grip) to duplicate challenging driving conditions. The SKIDCAR SYSTEM consists of equipment, parts, service support and instructor training. Driver training academies and programs that require slippery surface driving experience or an understanding of vehicle dynamics learn how thought process must be used for success of controlled driving in any environment. A proprietary controller allows for adjustments to multiple traction settings with memory so control of grip is possible for each vehicle axle. This functionality gives the ability to set the vehicle to duplicate realistic driving dynamics in complete safety. SKIDCAR technology has proven to become an accepted, realistic, and economical solution for slippery surface driver training. For more information and details please call SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. at (702) 395-2896 or contact via e-mail at info@skidcar.com.
Presentations focused on the topic of “Training the Young and/or Inexperienced Driver” and were delivered from multiple driver training disciplines. Speakers included Phil Liggins of Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, Captain Mark Varney of the New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Council, Jim Hawkins of Skid Car UK (United Kingdom), Captain Mike Fitzgerald of the Edmond Fire Department in Oklahoma, Peter Bjalkendahl of Lubricum Ltd. and Rolf Bogmark of Eksjo Transport Training in Sweden, Randy Jacoby of the Precision Driving Training Center at Oklahoma State University, and Steve Westerberg of SKIDCAR SYSTEM. Also in attendance were Curt Cedergren, Anders Cedergren, and Ulf Nordin of Cedergrens MEK Verkstad, the Swedish manufacturer of SKIDCAR SYSTEM®.
A new element of this year’s conference was SKIDCAR Instructor Re-Certifications. Certification received through the five-day SKIDCAR course is valid for three years. Instructors needing to renew their certification were able to do so at the conference by participating in classroom and in-car driving sessions.
SKIDCAR Service Clinics were also offered, and are an important and popular part of every conference. Service topics covered hydraulics, electrical, and tire and wheel maintenance. Arnco tire flatproofing experts were also on-hand to answer questions regarding the appropriate fill product and details for maximum effectiveness and efficiency of SKIDCAR tires.
Following the conclusion of the conference, SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. representatives were on hand for a day to conduct demonstrations of the system to interested agencies and potential customers. The demonstration unit was installed on a Chevy Tahoe with Electronic Stability Control capabilities, allowing interested users to see the benefits of using the system on vehicles designed for skid reduction. The SKIDCAR SYSTEM is unique in its simulation of the true-to-life feeling of vehicle handling during hazardous conditions while still providing a safe learning environment. It is an ideal driver training tool on its own, or in combination with an out-of-vehicle visual simulator.
The SKIDCAR SYSTEM demonstrations were featured on the Fox 5 Morning News and can be seen at http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/23091049/index.html.
About SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC.:
SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. has operated as the exclusive distributor of SKIDCAR products for North America since 1990. SKIDCAR™ & SKIDTRUCK™ technology enable the user to adjust the co-efficient of friction (grip) to duplicate challenging driving conditions. The SKIDCAR SYSTEM consists of equipment, parts, service support and instructor training. Driver training academies and programs that require slippery surface driving experience or an understanding of vehicle dynamics learn how thought process must be used for success of controlled driving in any environment. A proprietary controller allows for adjustments to multiple traction settings with memory so control of grip is possible for each vehicle axle. This functionality gives the ability to set the vehicle to duplicate realistic driving dynamics in complete safety. SKIDCAR technology has proven to become an accepted, realistic, and economical solution for slippery surface driver training. For more information and details please call SKIDCAR SYSTEM, INC. at (702) 395-2896 or contact via e-mail at info@skidcar.com.
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