Anglesey Circuit - Tuition from Chris Hodgetts - BTCC champ in VX220

[@howarddavies136]

Track day instructors are ace. I'm glad for this style of coaching, because we all think we are Senna, we all get giddy with excitement when we hit the track and the instructor has to cut through that and quickly! This style of tuition may not feel the most comfortable at first, but you have a better day because of it.

[@nickbradley6707]

So, Chris is one of the best driver coaches you`d meet. What he is trying to get this guy to do is turn gently, apply the power gently whilst driving the optimal line. Way too many guys jump in and want to be the last on the brakes or a drifter.......but that is never quick. The reality for this guy is, he cannot downshift correctly which unsettles the chassis and affects the turn in and braking, plus as Chris accurately says his tyres are terrible (every time Chris tries to get a bit of extra turn on the car they understeer badly). The comment about short shifting is totally accurate (Chris's not Hypersoniks) - because the power is linear its producing power in line (hence er, linear) with the revs. So short shifting will maybe kill a little power versus revving its nuts off down the straight or between corners but also approaching or in corners will help settle the chassis as I suspect Chris is asking this guy to do. Anyone who doesn't understand short shifting on a track should not be commenting on it. For anyone who still wants to make stupid comments google BTCC champion..........twice a champion. Doubt anyone commenting here has any trophies at home.

[@Captain_Vimes]

Nick, I certainly learnt a lot from Chris and found his advice useful which is why I shared here. I hope it's useful to others looking to learn too. The key points I took away are those you picked up on - be smooth and focus on maximum corner exit speed rather than being last on the brakes in to the corner. Since this video I have taken up racing, learnt to heal and toe so I can downshift properly, bought some decent tyres and have a whole shelf of trophies to show for it :)

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

@@Captain_Vimes What was key to learning to downshift properly?

[@Captain_Vimes]

@@MikeSmith-rd9fi the simple answer is practice. It's also easier to do in my race car (Caterham) for a number of reasons: the brakes aren't servo assisted; pedals are closer together; 6 point harness and race seat hold you in place so you don't need your feet to brace yourself; I wear race boots which gives you a lot more feel of the pedals etc.

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

@@Captain_Vimes Thanks, nice driving

[@ziggyfreud5357]

@@Captain_Vimes Good on you man - sounds like u learned heaps - hope all these yrs later you're still on the track 2021

[@dazgreen]

Gave him absolute hammer about his ditch finders 😂😂

[@usswia]

Really enjoyed that session; thanks for posting. Probably heading there end May'19

[@timvins]

He's instructing exactly how I take the corkscrew, when everyones going way over to the left, glad I'm doing something right!

[@Pistolspete82]

great vid cheers... helping get ready for my sprint at weekend... he really did not like your tyres

[@JamesWilson234]

Chris Hodgetts instructed me in an Exige at Silverstone years before I had one. This is exactly as I remember him 😂

[@routha3046]

You certainly get your moneys worth with this guy

[@supertouring22]

I did a Vauxhall VXR day (when they still ran them) and you get to go in several different VXRs with lots of different instructors and it was surprising how different their approach was. Some just wanted to tell you how great they were, some just sat there and said very little, but a few were excellent and really good at getting the most out of you and the car. The one thing I hate more than anything is when someone grabs the steering wheel rather than providing instructions - I think it is a bit of an "old school" way of instructing.

[@Chrissy-H]

Christ... guy gave you a hard time. I guess that's what you pay for and how you learn the most... but damn.

[@Will_M600]

Good coach

[@marcsmith1481984]

What rear view mirror is that? I like it

[@thomasxbl]

Some here seem a bit sensitive about the coaching. You can't argue the results though. How many laps did you do with the instructor and then before you put that lap together? You went from shit to well done. Great job. Does your Lotus have ABS? Though in that one combination where he had you brake with quite a bit of lock on, that seemed sketchy.

[@offroad1motorsport1]

I'm not a fan of the 'Tell you off' style of teachingI teach HGV and I find if you win their confidence they'll learn better , tell them off and they'll make more mistakes.

[@DeuceBiggerHo]

Agree 100% mate! This just reminds me of all the shit teachers I had back at school.

[@thetart20]

I feel the need to comment but I have nothing positive to say... so I'll just go with "wow".

[@chrishayes5994]

"Treat her like a good woman" belinda"s a lucky girl

[@arranhands7800]

Some of his he's telling you to do are shocking!

[@larrybeale1710]

Well that's one driving coach I'll never use.

[@Captain_Vimes]

This was my only time at Anglesey. Last month I went back there in my race Caterham and put it on pole following guidance in this video. There's some good advice in there.

[@scottkeeble9389]

Out of curiosity what tyres did you have on??

[@Captain_Vimes]

Federal 595 RSR's

[@Will_M600]

@@Captain_Vimes maybe shit pressures but that's no shit tyre 😂

[@Doctor__M]

What were the "shit" tyres, by the way?

[@Captain_Vimes]

Federal 595 RSR's. I think the issue related as much to suspension setup to be honest.

[@Doctor__M]

Captain Vimes haha! I've just decided my 595 RSRs are shit and have bought a set of touring car slicks for the next track day. Amazingly cost effective at £130 delivered per set!

[@phartsky]

🙂

[@fasthracing]

Grumpy but good

[@SuzhouChen]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! I want him to instruct me!! Please! Just take my money and get him!!!

[@Hypersonik]

Totally incorrect about short shifting! It is a linear power delivery, but that means that you produce more power the higher the RPM as a super is crank powered. Hang onto the gears to get the most of your powerband.

[@vxfoxy]

I would assume the short shift is to avoid changing gear mid way through the kink...

[@Hypersonik]

@@benmckinlay3625 Great - say that then. Change here to avoid unsettling the car :)

[@ziggyfreud5357]

Nice vid - he likes your tyres :) CH cracks me up ! :-) I'd pay just to have him nag me to death - brilliant

[@mutleychutley]

A good driver doesn't necessarily make a good coach...

[@Florence567]

Agreed, just might be a bad student.

[@chrisb8075]

He doesn't have time to change the driver's nappy, he's trying to impart the maximum amount of information under pressure of time and a busy track. Much of the issue is coming from the driver with fists of ham. Have a look at James May under tuition from Jackie Stewart, similar dialogue.

[@MrDvo]

You got shit tyres!! 😂

[@dabbersmate]

I’d have done one lap, pulled in the pits and said “get out my car you patronising condescending twat!”

[@P23AWR]

I think the instructors delivery would slow down improvements in the driver. I know that would get me flustered more than improve my driving. Could be much more effective if he changed his style in my opinion. I've never had an instructor grab the wheel either and would hate that.

[@hindeshotelra]

What "shit tyres were they"! lol Sounds like a right ol grumpy old man lololpolpl

[@Captain_Vimes]

The tyres are federal 595 RSR's. I actually think they're good tyres but the car is definitely more planted on Avon ZZR's.

[@hindeshotelra]

Captain Vimes I think they are quite good too and have used them for several track days. I was just quoting the funny comment by the instructor and curious as to which tyres they were.

[@vxfoxy]

I agree, 595s are great value - sure, you could spend twice the money on tyres that are better in the dry, but what are you going to win? ...and if it's wet I'd rather be on 595s than AO48s or 888s.

[@offroad1motorsport1]

Typical race instructor , they have a tell you off style , what about a reinforce and commend style..

[@arranhandsracing19]

Awful instructions!

[@leestephens8663]

Co driver seems a right bellend