Last night I broke open a bottle of Champagne. Today I have retired from the position of Gate-keeper for HPC.
A long time ago there was a knock on my door when a member of the HPC committee approached me to become a gatekeeper. I was flattered by the offer, humbled by the responsibility.
The first thing I did was approach Andy Morrison for advice. We took a couple of folk out so I could train them under his watchful eye. It was only after this and some considerable thought about the situation regarding other incumbents that I agreed to the proposition.
That was a transitory situation for the club and I wanted to support them in return for the good times I had had in the 80's and 90’s driving fast and safely on relatively uncongested roads policed by reasonable men in white chariots. Of course there was the possibility of generating a little income too.
The club moved on and on and on, the driving standards committee and the standards document were key initiatives along the way.
We have all changed.
I have noticed of late that when a road booking turns up I don't look forward to it. When I drive almost anywhere on the road, particularly in the congested south, it's a chore I don't really enjoy. It's just plain boring and it's too often dangerous.
The white chariots are no more. Replaced by money grabbing robots that monitor speed
or money grabbing business partnerships purporting to support road safety. The technology
of cars has made them incomparably better in most respects and ever duller to drive in a
congested environment. I ring 999 to report a crash or a burning wreck at the side of the
road two or three times a month as I commute the 100 miles to the vocation that I love -
…….coaching people to drive properly when the going gets tough or when they want to gain
maximum satisfaction from driving at the limit, or when they simply want to gain a
heightened awareness of feel and feedback, so that they always have the maximum control of
a car, always have reserves, and can achieve the maximum satisfaction and safety from
everyday driving.
Standards of road driving have not dropped dramatically. There were always a few relatively good drivers outnumbered by a huge proportion of bad ones – it’s just that there are more of them now, so they get in the way more often.
Reflecting on this situation made me realise that I do not need HPC gate-keeping as part of my business. It costs much more than its income generates. I don't think that the club needs me as a gate-keeper any more either. I have served my time and purpose. There are others who need that position more than I do and I wish them well.
"Today I have retired from the position of Gate-keeper for HPC". I have enjoyed my tenure, I have no regrets and it is time to move on.
I will of course be delighted to see prospective candidates from HPC who want to develop their sensitivity and understanding of steering feedback I think it might encourage some people to question what they do, despite the fact that they “obviously” know how to steer! - more specifically to do Honours 3 which continues to develop.
I will continue to run the Swedish Ice driving courses we started last year.
I have recently formed a working partnership with Mark Hales who will join me on a two-day intensive track driving masterclass at the new and truly wonderful Anglesey circuit. We will provide the vehicles and coaching skills to help you develop a set of mental tools that you can use to develop your own masterful driving style, both on track and on the road.
All of these courses will engage you in masterful coaching, plenty of driving practice, good food and good company.
Wishing you all the very best.
Don Palmer
