News
By Colin
Posted: October 23, 2025 Read time: 10
CAT life continues to be varied and personally motivating - here’s a snapshot. Over the past 2 weeks I have coached in a McLaren 765 LT, two Ferrari F8’s , two Cayman GT4s, purchased a van for our industry clients to use when training, spent 2 days in the office writing a proposal, safety checked our Caterham and delivered our 466 C1 Racer for some body repairs at the paint shop. Not forgetting driving across what can only be described as rivers of water running across the Craner Curves at a very wet race weekend at Donington!
No two days are ever the same. Today finds me at the lap top writing to you, our valued clients on what’s been happening at CAT, and how we are looking forward and preparing for the maybe colder, months. Welcome to our Autumn newsletter.
On Friday 26th September we concluded the group days for 2025. It’s always a landmark in the year for me when we wrap up the group format days. Annually it marks the end of an active spring and summer, heading us towards what is often the busiest time of the year Autumn and Winter.
You wouldn’t think so would you? It wasn’t busy in the winter months until we were in our 6th and 7th year. Once we had begun to build our trusted brand and became a resident at UTAC, then Millbrook, our footfall became a continuum - much less seasonal.
Why?...
Once the racing season winds down, track days are available once again at weekends - a bonus for many who cannot find the time away from work commitments in the week. Combined with the flexible availability, is often a reduction in price when compared to the summer months. So, despite what may seem an inevitable reduction in bookings for CAT through the colder months, it can be that November is our busiest month of the year. My last track coaching session in 2024 was December 8th and my first this year in January.
It does pay to keep an eye on the weather though; in my experience the conditions that may stop a day in its tyre tracks are often found in February. I will be keeping an eye on the long-term weather forecast as I do every year.
Road courses benefit from the challenges our now unpredictable weather can bring to the art of safe and competent driving in a performance car. Once the sun goes down your uninterrupted view of the road ahead is simply, how far your headlights penetrate the darkness, adding a subtle challenge to an afternoon of coaching through the winter. Especially helpful to those clients who enjoy driving tours.
The days behind the wheel can be long, and as you may have discovered, the weather in the regions chosen for our driving enjoyment can be changeable to say the least. Preparing for your 2026 trips through the winter months makes complete sense, whilst reducing the potential for the sneaking arrival of the bane of all enthusiastic drivers - skill fade.
Preparing new drivers in the family for the winter driving challenges ahead has become for many clients, an essential part of the learning to drive process for their loved ones, generating a steady uptake in our new driver courses. Focus is on car control skills including a session in a skid car exploring lower grip scenarios such as rain, ice and snow, anticipation and forward planning, essential fundamental escape and avoid manoeuvres, and a safe process for braking and cornering are examples from the itinerary.
Our motor industry clients require our services throughout the year. The winter does not effect this element of our course programmes, in fact, it brings additional requirements as manufacturers take advantage of our specialist courses, for cold climate testing. You may not know that vehicle manufacturers migrate around the world at specific times of the year. Up into the Arctic Circle in the Winter for testing vehicles in minus temperatures, and on the flip side Arizona and Death Valley are locations for hot climate testing in the Summer. Within the motor industry our reach is varied, deep and specialist - it keeps us busy.
Along with those who enjoy competitive driving preparing for next seasons racing, the Winter months can keep all of us on our toes at CAT.
I wrote and introduced this new course in 2024 to coincide with our sponsorship of the Porsche Club Speed Championship. It’s been gathering traction and recognition steadily to date. Seasoned competitors and those simply starting out have signed up and as with all our courses, it takes time to build momentum and the word to spread. The course must now be on competitors’ radar as the bookings are increasing.
What has been of particular interest to attendees, is learning the relationship between braking techniques and limited slip differentials, and the part both play in maximising tyre grip and corner exit speed. Essential skills for tight and twisty Hillclimb courses.
This is the perfect moment for a segway, it fills me with positive emotion and happiness to share it with you. CAT friend and long-term client Jon Baldock had a very successful 2025 season, winning the Porsche Club Speed Championship outright in his Boxster. Here in Jon’s words are his account of his and the cars development. Well done Jon from the CAT team - thoroughly deserved.
Image credit: Claudia Jedrisko
It's been over 10 years since I had my first session at UTAC with Colin, on a Porsche group day. I'd bought a Porsche 993 and wanted to learn how to drive it properly. If only I knew where this slippery slope would take me! Multiple group CAT driver training days, buying a Boxster 986 S to be used as a track car, then group and 1:1 tuition with Colin at various tracks around the UK as well as at Spa. That all led to more track days than I can remember, trying to put what I'd learnt into action. I decided to dabble in racing and did a few rounds of EnduroKa and C1 endurance racing and this gave me the bug for competition.
In 2023 I decided to try the other extreme to endurance racing - Sprints and Hill Climbs. The Boxster, which was already well modified, was fully stripped, caged and I tried my hand at a few rounds of the Porsche Club GB Speed Championship. This is a mixture of 7 sprints and 7 hill climbs at some of the most iconic and historic tracks in the UK, with competitors driving cars at various levels of modification, from fully standard to very heavily modified. We get four to five runs over the course of a day, often only around 1 minute each, but all against the clock and the other drivers in your class. You have to nail every braking point, every apex and exit to optimise your time over a run. The level of precision and focus required, knowing you have so few chances to get it right means it's a huge adrenaline rush when you do - everyone is chasing their personal best times as well as class wins. It's still sinking in that I've just won the overall 2025 Championship, but I've had the ever calm words of "eyes" or "fast feet" echoing in my mind to help me on my way!
Jon Baldock
As I write this newsletter, we are celebrating a further landmark in our 20 year history - OUR 8000th CLIENT - a figure I find hard to rationalise, it’s all gone so quickly.
We marked the occasion by presenting client 8000, Evgenia, with a celebratory bottle of bubbles at our track day together at Bedford Autodrome.
I have purchased a 2023 Peugeot Partner van for use by our industry clients; the specification can be found on the CAT fleet page. Please contact Jo or Lynne for hire details and costings. As a side note we have recently updated the fleet page to reflect the current fleet.
In September I enjoyed a weekend racing our C1 at Donington. To say it was wet doesn’t really cut it, it was monsoon wet. Watch this short clip and you will get the picture, or should I say spray and a significant reduction in visibility.
How much speed do you take off to compensate for inclement weather, or the unpredictable moments we can all experience on the road or track? I am very interested generically in the ‘reason for the journey’. The reason for my journey at Donington was to the win the race, using all of the grip, all of the time, and sometimes, a little more than was available. A modicum of understeer and/or oversteer is inevitable in these conditions. We finished 5th. It was a real buzz to be challenged by the conditions - you are using all of your sensory skills and interpretation of the dynamic limits to stay on the tarmac.
On the road this approach would be reckless and dangerous, on a track day unnecessary. These are the conversations we have on our courses daily. What tolerance do you leave to ensure a safe passage through a corner when the surface is compromised? Here are the thoughts of my colleagues Helen and Steve.
There are so many variables on a public road to consider when driving, but especially so in the wet. Ever-changing situations and conditions all need to be evaluated on a moment by moment basis. What type of road, surface quality, visibility, drainage, traffic levels, and others driving behaviours all require constant re-evaluation, combined with an honest recognition of my own skill set and focus on that day at that time, and that of the vehicle I am driving. United with gentle and consistent inputs and upmost respect for limit points and carefully considered stopping distances all affect my approach and pace at any given corner or hazard. An ongoing cycle of caution, awareness, respect and smoothness.
Firstly I assess the type of surface I am travelling on. What level of grip can I reasonably expect? The amount of water on the surface - allowing for surface undulations where standing water will be deeper. The amount of tread depth that my tyres have - tyre tread is designed to disperse a certain amount of water per second. Certain brands technical data would suggest that a tyre with 6mm of tread depth, travelling at 60mph in 3mm of water should be able to disperse 9 litres of water per second, therefore the less tread depth, the less able the tyre is to disperse water effectively.
The next consideration is stopping distance. If I use the ‘Limit Point’ to assess whether I could stop at my current speed in the distance I can see to be clear on my side of the road, in wet weather I need to double the distance to ensure that not only I can stop in a reasonable distance, but the vehicle behind can also stop behind me without a collision.
Road surfaces are dynamic and therefore hard to predict. What if another road user had a collision on that road earlier in the day, could there be oil or glycol on the surface which further compromises grip? Has a tractor been along the road leaving a slightly muddy surface? Are there metal drain covers which could compromise grip? Do I know alternative effective braking methods which could perhaps be more effective than ABS on this surface? And the list goes on!
Don’t underestimate how long it takes to stop a vehicle travelling at speed - you only realise how fast you are travelling when you need to stop quickly.
If you would like to expand your knowledge and experience of over grip limit driving for Road, Track or Race please visit the links below:
I am always excited to go racing, and this year’s Race of Remembrance over the weekend of November 8-9th will be no exception. Especially as this year joining my son Mark and myself for the annual 12-hour endurance race will be professional racing driver Jake Hill - BTCC Champion 2024, completing our 3-driver line up in the Sunbelt Rentals entered C1.
Prepared and managed by RABsport Racing we are confident we can run at the front. Racing with Jake will be a fantastic experience for all involved.
Earlier this year, Jake put our C1 466 through its paces – watch the test session here.
Thanks go to Jake for joining us in support of Mission Motorsport. You can follow the race on the BRSCC live stream via YouTube.
We are constantly exploring ways to improve our services and optimise your learning outcomes and time spent with us. As from next year we will be reducing the number of participants from 6 to 3. Why? The smaller more intimate group size will allow for less time waiting, coupled with the ability for the CAT instructors to polarise the learning more efficiently to each individuals needs, aims and objectives. The 3-client format supports Lynne and Jo in scheduling the days into our busy diary, making it easier to accommodate more courses with more dates if required. We have been running these days for several years. Exploring the net result of the smaller group, feedback and Trustpilot reviews have been excellent, giving me the confidence to action the change officially.
Your feedback via Trustpilot, emails, text and WhatsApp gives us great pleasure but to the best of my knowledge, I do not remember ever receiving a post card before! So it was a new surprise when this card fell onto the door mat from a scenic location somewhere in the French Alps – a lovely sight. Reading and listening how your time spent with CAT has developed your driving, and the pleasure you derive from the coaching and training is, uplifting. Thank you for all of your feedback and taking the time to share it with us. Keep it coming – it’s appreciated.
You will recall I ‘ve been working with my Grandson Jack, preparing both car and driver to compete in production car trials in the spring of 2026. We are steadily ticking off the list of jobs on the Suzuki Swift Sport which was purchased with a blown head gasket and tired clutch. The car has resided in my garage workshop at home for the last year and is now ready to be thoroughly tested at UTAC Millbrook after several weekends of graft shared by both Jack and me.
To recap, production car trials is a low-cost introduction into motorsport, heavily biased towards driving skill and technique at low speeds on grass surfaces. My attraction to the sport is that from 14 years old, young drivers can compete on a restricted motorsport licence when accompanied by an experienced adult. A low-cost way for the younger drivers in a family of car and driving enthusiasts to get involved in motorsport. Mum and Dad can compete in the same car too! We are entering the standard car class - so no expensive modifications to purchase and fit - cost effective fun for the whole family. I will give you all the details of the clubs we are joining and how we get on in our Spring newsletter.
In September we had the pleasure of working once again with Hangar 111 - Lotus specialists based in Woodbridge, Suffolk. Owned and run by Greg and Marianne Lock, Greg joined us for the day with 3 of his technicians for a day of driver and vehicle evaluation training.
Developing a structured process for evaluating a vehicles dynamic characteristic, along with safe performance and defensive driving techniques is an essential skill for road testers within the service and preparation industry. There are a variety of benefits promoted within the course content for both company and client:
From past to present we have welcomed a variety of technicians from hyper car creators to specialist shock absorber manufacturers. If you have technician’s road-testing customer vehicles and would like a conversation, please contact Jo.
I thought you would enjoy this. My close friend David spent a day in July at a Porsche Club track day in his 911 RSR on Silverstone GP Circuit. Most of us drive our cars to track, so no need to destroy the tyres and brakes or risk an off. Enjoying yourself in safety is always my first consideration.
It’s a beautiful lap and for me typifies how to enjoy your track days – accurate, precise and polite to other drivers with grip left on the table if needed.
Turn the sound up - a flat six revved with slide throttle bodies to 8500 rpm (it can rev to 9000 rpm!), hitting 140 MPH in 5th gear, on the Hangar Straight = Petrolhead Heaven!!
If you’re planning your own track adventures, our Track Day Guide is a helpful companion – packed with practical advice to get the most from your day.
Looking forward to catching up with you either in person or via our next newsletter at Christmas.
Regards
Colin
Call: 01234 757 633
Email: info@catdrivertraining.co.uk
Attend a course & feel your knowledge & technique has not developed, you've not been taught new skills, or not been treated with respect & professionalism, your money will be refunded. It’s as simple as that.
The CAT Team look forward to working with you.
Colin Hoad
CAT Driver Training is the fast way to develop & improve authentic dynamic driving skill, technique & knowledge from the Best. OEM recognised driver training for individuals & the motor industry. As the leading UK based independent advanced performance driving skills company, we exist to make your driving experience even better. Explore your cars potential, fulfill your own. Coaching advanced road & track skills, safety driver training courses for individual driving enthusiasts & advanced driving for all facets of the motor industry. The only training company resident within UTAC's Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, within easy reach of London, & all surrounding counties: Hertfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Nottinghamshire; Cambridgeshire; Norfolk; Suffolk; Essex; & Surrey. Clients travel from the World over & the UK to learn from the authentic evidence based dynamic driving & vehicle dynamic experts. | All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2005 – 2025
Some of the links we use are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, CAT will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalise a purchase.
Designed by WHP
Coded and built by Prominent Media
By Mark Hoad