From November Michael Bentwood will be starting a new specialist driving instruction business called ‘On Track’ which will be one to one training for clients around the UK’s premier racing circuits and also some training on road.
Customers will be able to take advantage of Michael’s fifteen years experience and success in motor racing whilst enjoying an exciting day out of valuable tuition with one of Britain’s finest talents.
Michael has driven pretty much every category of car known to man, including karts, Formula 3, Touring Cars and GT cars. During his F3 seasons he became one of the youngest ever BRDC members, a reflection on his talent and reputation. After single seat racing Michael later learnt how to adapt his skills to the light-weight front-wheel drive touring cars and then more recently to 600bhp, heavy, rear-wheel drive GT cars including modern and Vintage Aston Martins.
Michael has been an instructor throughout his racing career, starting more than ten years ago at Nigel Mansell’s racing school before becoming an independent instructor. Over his instruction career he has undertaken such varied work as teaching policemen on skid pads, to up and coming young drivers on circuits all over Europe. His instruction skills have seen him work alongside such racing legends as Stirling Moss at Oulton Park and Damon Hill with Minardi F1 at Donington.
Michael said, “It is one thing buying a powerful car but it’s another subject knowing how to handle it properly. We all like to think we are a great driver but I want to teach people how to refine their techniques and get the best from themselves and the car safely
Whether people simply want to learn more and have a bit of fun or require very specific training before a driving tour round Monaco; I guarantee that people will enjoy their car more and driver training is undoubtedly the most effective performance upgrade for performance driving, track days or racing.”
Michael will be offering four levels of tuition and you should contact him to see what suits you best
What the teaching involves:
- Michael instructing you for the day
- Intercoms provided
- Car control
- Becoming a faster driver whilst increasing mechanical sympathy
- Traction control optimisation
- Gearbox management
- From ADVANCED pupils onwards: Heel & Toe; matching engine speed with road speed (manual boxes)
- Launch control (auto boxes)
Michael can also arrange prior to the track day:
- On track insurance
- Spare tyres & brake pads
- Back-up vehicles
- Photos of your car on track
“I believe that just a day will make them happier behind the wheel, a more accomplished driver and more confident with their machinery especially in tricky conditions. It is very fitting now because some road cars are kicking out as much horse power as highly tuned race cars but people don’t legally have to receive any training before taking behind the wheel of these powerful cars; recently highlighted in the news by Ronaldo’s accident.” He went on to say that, “modern road cars are sometimes fitted with very advanced gear boxes or traction control systems that drivers don’t use appropriately or often don’t adjust them at all.”
“I want people to have a great day out driving round the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone, fully exploiting their car on the track whilst gaining invaluable coaching which they can carry with them for all of their driving life.”
ON ROAD
Michael has also extended his attention to the road, “The idea came to me whilst being a passenger with a friend in the pouring rain. This particular driver in the rain lacked confidence but also had no discipline making his driving quite awkward With a few pointers and some guidance I transformed his driving so he was more comfortable at the wheel and bought him more thinking time which is imperative in the wet weather.”
“I want to focus my attention on education for the road as it’s all about being continuously aware and extremely tolerant to other road users; people are being prosecuted for drinking water whilst at the wheel or poorly fitted sat nav systems in the line of sight but I’ve never heard of a driver being pulled over to check their tyre pressures or to see if their windscreen wipers are working effectively; two major factors which contribute to unnecessary accidents.”
“I have driven pretty much all road cars so I am very familiar with their systems and how they work.
Many of the circuit techniques allow you to be in better control of your car on the road, even if the speeds are and should be very different!”
From Fiesta to Ferrari or Pagani Zonda to Proton Michael wants to hear from you.
Customers can book through this website on the contact page marking the subject ‘On track’.
Clients are advised to give a name, date of booking and contact telephone number so Michael can contact you within 24 hours.
Michael looks forward to hearing from you and wishes you happy and safe motoring!