After about 30 minutes of controlled drifting, we moved on to the next challenge and the next car. Behind the wheel of the Cooper S, we practiced emergency stops and avoidance manoeuvres. They asked us to speed towards a wall of cones and two guys with red flags, at around 60 km/h. When we got near the guys, one would wave his flag and we’d have to brake and manoeuvre towards the opposite guy. The goal was to teach us to use and trust our peripheral vision, something we forget about too often when driving.
After a delicious lunch, Rauno treated each of us to a Hot Lap. Once I’d caught my breath and changed my underpants, I hopped into a MINI Cooper S to try my hand at 180° turns. Judging by Philippe’s instructions, there’s nothing easier. Ha. There may not be too many ingredients to the recipe, but let’s just say that mixing them all together requires a delicate touch. We ended the day with a friendly autocross race that integrated all the things we learned during the clinic.
Mandatory training?
“An experience like this makes you wonder if winter driving courses should be mandatory. At a time when our governments are constantly looking to improve road safety and the highway death toll, this kind of training seems like a logical step.” Those were the words of my colleague Marc-André Hallé after he attended a similar event last year.
I can’t help but agree. How many drivers think they’re untouchable, even in the winter? How many people think they’re above it all with their AWD? Way too many.
A winter driving course like MINI’s shows us just how many bad habits we’ve picked up and how poorly prepared we truly are for Mother Nature’s wintry whims.
 |
| Photo: BMW |
After a delicious lunch, Rauno treated each of us to a Hot Lap. Once I’d caught my breath and changed my underpants, I hopped into a MINI Cooper S to try my hand at 180° turns. Judging by Philippe’s instructions, there’s nothing easier. Ha. There may not be too many ingredients to the recipe, but let’s just say that mixing them all together requires a delicate touch. We ended the day with a friendly autocross race that integrated all the things we learned during the clinic.
Mandatory training?
“An experience like this makes you wonder if winter driving courses should be mandatory. At a time when our governments are constantly looking to improve road safety and the highway death toll, this kind of training seems like a logical step.” Those were the words of my colleague Marc-André Hallé after he attended a similar event last year.
I can’t help but agree. How many drivers think they’re untouchable, even in the winter? How many people think they’re above it all with their AWD? Way too many.
A winter driving course like MINI’s shows us just how many bad habits we’ve picked up and how poorly prepared we truly are for Mother Nature’s wintry whims.
 |
| Photo: BMW |
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