Introduction

Honours Three builds upon the practical car control skills demonstrated at the entry level standard. The award is a recognition of the car handling skills and knowledge acquired on the Honours Three Steering and Handling course, a challenging exploration of the dynamics of handling a car at the limit. The course is a prerequisite foundation for progressing to the Gold Award, Honours Two and Honours One.

A detailed explanation of the Honours Three course can be found via the Club website under Higher Awards. The summary below outlines the specific skills that a driver will be expected to demonstrate on successful completion. As many of the competencies are interrelated and developed simultaneously, these are not separately defined under each skill heading.

Fundamentals

  • An overview of vehicle dynamics and the interaction of the human body (ergonomics)

Understanding Grip

  • Understanding Tyres - Basic construction; behaviour under force
  • Understanding slip angles
  • Understanding grip vs slip angle diagrams
  • Weight transition effect and management
  • Self-aligning torque
  • Feeling grip at the front tyres

Managing Grip

  • Understanding of the basic dynamics of vehicles
  • Exploring understeer and oversteer
  • Managing weight distribution
  • Managing grip near to the limit of adhesion
  • Managing power induced oversteer
  • Heel and Toe gear changes

Steering

  • Steering techniques
  • Oversteer correction
  • Understeer correction

Competencies

  • Recognise the human activities required of a driver that indicate when a vehicle is on, near to and over the limit of adhesion
  • Understand how to manage and maintain a clear, relaxed internal state of mind and body that enables car control to become simply a matter of fact almost irrespective of circumstance
  • Consistently look in the right place to position the vehicle appropriately
  • Operate the steering at the limit of adhesion to appropriately manage vehicle stability throughout the corner
  • Operate the throttle at the limit of adhesion to appropriately manage vehicle stability in fast, medium and slow corners
  • Operate the brake to optimise braking efficiently at the limit of adhesion
  • Combine the use of controls to optimise performance in transients from braking, through cornering and acceleration
  • Understand and manage dynamic weight distribution
  • Ability to recognise oversteer and correctly determine the proper response
  • Be able to heel and toe

Demonstration

  • Drivers will be able to explain clearly how they know when they are near to the limit of the performance envelope at corner entry, mid corner and exit phases.
  • The driver consistently focuses on the optimum line for the intended course
  • The driver displays judgement of terminal (gross) understeer and displays the effective use of steering to improve turn-in when understeer is apparently terminal.
  • Demonstrate oversteer and reliably correct the situation by effective use of steering and/or throttle
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of changes in dynamic weight distribution under braking
  • Demonstrate optimum steering technique coupled with appropriate use of throttle and braking systems to change the attitude of a vehicle near the limit of its performance envelope in mid-corner.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which grip is monitored and managed throughout the corner from turn-in through the transient phases to exit of the corner. Removal of steering input at corner exit and precise judgement of application of accelerator
  • The driver will manage the transient from braking to cornering to acceleration (including smooth gear changing as necessary).
  • The driver remains focused on good technique irrespective of minor distractions or errors.
  • The driver displays the ability to manage the dynamic weight distribution using steering, throttle and brakes to modify vehicle response in a range of situations to optimise control and stability as appropriate.
  • Recognise the response of the steering at the onset of oversteer and the ability to adjust the steering to manage the situation with smooth and seamless operation.
  • Be able to smoothly select a lower gear whilst braking at the same time and matching engine speed to road speed for the gear selected. Display smooth downshifting at the same time as braking. (heel and toe)

Training and Assessment Process

To protect the credibility of the required standard all assessment will be restricted to approved coaches, as advised by the DSC. The course will consist of a one day course with the approved coach.

The approved coach will submit the assessment sheet and recommendation for the Honours Three Award to the DSC who will then communicate the award to the member.