Driving Course Tips

If you have any other shortcuts, email me at mike@firenotes.com

DIMINISHING CLEARANCE

  1. Do not go slow, the rig tends to go to the sides if you do.

  2. Find a spot on the hood to line up with the cones on the left when going forward.

  3. Find a reference point on the door or mirror in relation to the last cone on the left to avoid stopping to far from the ending cone.

  4. Find a reference point in relation to the cones on the rig in the left mirror when backing.

Problem Areas (Diminishing Clearance):

  • Going to slow.

  • Stopping to far from the ending cone.

    • EMERGENCY LANE CHANGE

    1. As soon as you see the light change, tap the brakes, then turn, then tap brakes in straightaway, then turn, then tap brakes at end of last turn before going into final straightaway.

    2. Pick a reference point using a cone on the left in relation to the Angus or discharge on when to turn out of the exercise.

    3. If positive about reference point, turn sharp.

    4. Keep in mind that your wheels are behind you.

    Problem Areas (Emergency Lane Change):

  • Using brakes to much.

  • Making to small of movements when turning.  It takes a lot.

  • Keeping hands from crossing 12 o'clock on steering wheel.

    • SERPENTINE

    1. Don't go to slow, it just makes things worse.

    2. When attempting the backing portion, make sure to find your first cone before you back.

    3. Keep rig as parallel to the cones as possible at all times.

    4. Trust your driving, I took it at about 25mph forward and 10mph backing.

    Problem Areas (Serpentine):

  • Swinging too wide to get around cones.  It will screw you up.

  • Missing the first cone when backing.

    • CODE 3 DRIVING

    1. Haul ass and have fun.

    2. Get the time limit out of your mind, you'll make it in plenty of time.

    3. Take the North part of the course with the L-R-L-R turns carefully to avoid dropping a tire.

    Problem Areas (Code 3 Driving):

  • Not using the Outside-Inside-Outside method for turns.

  • Too fast in the true .

  • Keeping hands from crossing 12 o'clock on steering wheel.

    • RIGHT BACKING

    1. Pick a reference point such as the right rear tire and turn hard when the tire is even with the 1st or 2nd cone not in line with the alley you will be pulling into.

    2. You must turn hard to make it.

    3. Correction after the turn is hard, pay attention to this or you will hit the right side cones.

    4. Find a cone that lines up with your driver door when the rig is within the stopping point.

    Problem Areas (Right Backing):

  • Not turning hard enough.

  • Under-correction after the turn.

  • Using the right mirror can be difficult.

    • LEFT BACKING

    1. This exercise is the easiest of all.

    2. Same as right backing except you get to use the right mirror which is much easier.

    3. Know where your wheels are, it will help you to turn out of the alley.

    Problem Areas (Left Backing):

  • Picking the wrong cone as your turning point.

  • Turning too soon when pulling out of the alley.