Rotate to 60, brake to the floor: now! Similar instructions sounded from the radios in the 10 cars of our turquoise group at the skid school in Most almost all Saturday. And although for me it was more like "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", I thoroughly enjoyed the course.
Introductory two-hour theory session
The one-day Safe Driving School at the Most polygon starts with an introductory theory session. It pays to be on time, in my case at or ideally before nine o'clock. I was delayed on my way back from Prague by refuelling and 5 minutes woefully short - the lady at reception told me my group had already started and took me to the classroom. I couldn't have asked for a better arrival to a group of 8 men and one lovely lady.
After my arrival, the instructor explained things like:
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How to properly adjust your seat.
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How the airbag works and why not to sit too close but not too far away.
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What are the differences between the basic types of tires - winter, summer, all-season - and who gets which one.
All interspersed with interesting videos simulating various situations that can occur on the road. With a skid from the rear axle and a promise that we would soon be trying everything out in a visual way, I realized that I may have overestimated my driving skills.
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For those who don't get caught out like me, I'll add a little tip straight away - when skidding away from the rear axle, the steering wheel should be turned as fast as possible in the opposite direction. Since I don't even know this apparently basic motoring manoeuvre, it was pretty clear that I was in for a pretty hairy time on the practical 4 hour test.
I appreciated the engaging narration and the short break after each hour of instruction. This was true in both theory and practice.
And here goes: Introductory slalom lesson on the polygon
It seemed pretty cool at first: the instructor got in his car and we lined up behind him with our cars. We pulled onto the track and tried to slalom around between the cones. One by one, the instructor took everyone aside and helped adjust the seat and steering wheel to conform to safe driving guidelines. At the end of the first hands-on session, we had a small and large slalom lap at a sharper pace and hurrah for lunch.
Those who wanted to could have lunch in the polygon dining room - food must be ordered in advance from reception. I just had a muesli bar as part of my survival instinct and looked out for the afternoon session.
After lunch: skidding from the rear axle
And I did the right thing: I wouldn't want to do the next exercise - the rear axle skid - on a full stomach. While most men managed to balance the skid with the left rear (sometimes the right, depending on the direction of impact), my car always took a fair spin. But all safely, and I must add, really my fault. The instructor on the radio helped as much as he could - he even reported which side the simulated crash was coming from, but it was no use - where there is no driving skill, even the best help won't take.
It should be noted that the Most polygon has impressive equipment that simulates these situations in a truly authentic way, and better drivers can try them out even at higher speeds. In this respect, the skid school in Most is the furthest away in the Czech Republic.
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After this lesson, the instructor walked around all of our cars and assessed the condition of the tires. My nearly 20-year-old car - and especially the older tires - had just earned a critique and a recommendation to buy better equipment. Tires, after all, are one of the most important attributes, according to safe driving principles. They should be no more than 5 to 6 years old, regardless of mileage.
Braking distance measurement and safe braking training
In the penultimate practical session, we had to brake to a stop and measure the braking distance of the car at lower and higher speeds and on slightly wet and then slippery ground. Here again I have to give credit to the authentic simulation of slightly trampled "snow", which the instructor can conjure up on the road almost with a wave of his hand.
Here we go to the final: Practicing all the tasks on the hill
In the last 60 minutes we had to summarize and practice all the tasks at once. We went up the hill, started down the hill and had to avoid the water obstacle while staying in the right lane on the turn. I managed the lower speeds with my older car, but we didn't disappoint at the higher speeds and once again had a fair spin. In a situation like that, it's important once the driver starts braking, don't stop - that would be the worst thing you could do.
