MDTP - May Events

After many months of preparation, our SKIDCAR SYSTEM SkidJeep was unveiled this month for the first official presentation of our Mobile Driver Training Program during the Fire-Rescue Med Conference in Las Vegas.

Now utilizing a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with up to date Electronic Stability and Traction Control programs, we began our demonstration/training using the less intrusive ESC setting which disengaged traction control and limited ESC engagement until seriously inducing a front or rear wheel skid. With unwise use of the steering or throttle, the Jeep could still be spun out regardless of the ESC engagement. It was very realistic, and continued to be uncontrollable within the lane of travel when the student used the vehicle controls unwisely.

Following FRM, the SkidJeep was taken to Boulder City for an instructor training rally hosted by Nevada POOL/PACT. The Instructor class began with a Crown Vic with only ABS working. The initial training contained components of recognizing different types of skids, regaining control after mistakes made, and then avoiding them altogether. One of the components of a great SKIDCAR instructor is they must know just as much about how skids are made and skidding, as how to avoid them.

Crossing over to the Jeep, we used the ESC in two modes in 2 wheel drive. We then used 4 wheel drive without ESC. We found that ESC has become another electronic instructor as it is instantaneous in response to a dynamic problem the driver has made. Frustration abounded as there now were few burnouts, fewer out of control spins, and much anxiety brought on by the ESC intrusion into their driving mistakes. A very interesting new component to the instructor training was the exploration of how ESC works, how it is activated and how the driver can “feed” grip to the vehicle to help the ESC gain back control. At the end of the week and with final testing executed, all the instructors were driving outside the ESC system and functioning at the same lap times as a good driver would have driving a car without ESC.

At both events, we concluded that with ESC a number of positive actions were taken. The drivers learned faster as they did not have the time needed to "FEEL" what the car was doing and learn corrective action from the instructor first. ESC did this for them. This allowed us to spend more time working on “the Big Three“ components for good driving; use of sight, shuffle steering, and braking concepts used for stability. Because they were not taking the time to skid so much and then recover, what we (the Instructor Team) had to do was simply guide the driver to the right way to drive and then the ESC would not engage. Ultimately, we still arrived at the same destination with a driver who recognized Grip, and Slip, and what they did as a driver to cause the loss of stability.

Following a very short time behind the wheel we realized positive results, which in past lessons took much more time to accomplish. A savings of time extrapolates to huge savings in the funds necessary for labor, student time, and equipment cost and maintenance during training sessions.

For our component of driver training, we think the future is here.