The Academy

Well, what a day! Today I tried my hand at the Summer Driving challenge. After an unsuccessful attempt last year, I was raring to get back on the track for another go. As a member of the Driving Academy for over two years now, it is fair to say I have done my share of driving experiences. But where a regular experience and the Summer Challenge differ is how you are graded and of course, it’s a competition!

The top 100 out of all the participants will be invited back to Mercedes-Benz World to participate in the Grand Finale on the 4th of September with the one and only… Lewis Hamilton!  Needless to say I wanted to do my best!  All the scores will be posted on the Driving Academy website, but hurry, you can only enter until the 31st of August. Happily, even if you don’t score in the top 100, you still get a free family invitation to watch the finale, which excitingly takes place on the same a the Smart Festival this year.

Back to today though.  My driving coach was Dave Hall, a more than experienced driver, trained to a higher level than the police.  My machine was the Mercedes Benz A-160.  We started with exercises based on driver preparation, something that is crucial to any driver. These cover literal preparations like mirrors and seats, but also the deeper preparations of the mind; am I in the right state of mind to drive?  How could my emotions, and my social life impact on my concentration and ultimately my driving?

It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn each time.  I have worked my way through the Academy levels to Green level and have driven the Mercedes SLK, but being back in the A-Class was a lot of fun; it is just so manageable.  Tempting as it was to increase my speed on track, I knew it would end badly, costing me critical points!

Dave, my coach, was fantastic.  He invited a calm atmosphere and allowed me the freedom of judgement. This encourages learning and a sense of self progression. He wasn’t telling me what to do, but letting me think for myself as all drivers have to do at some point.

I wanted to catch up with some of the other drivers to hear what they said about their time at Mercedes Benz World.  One, Ben aged 11 from Gravesend, had been once before and came back just for the Summer Challenge.  He thoroughly enjoyed his driving experience and loved driving on the track, but said that his best manoeuvre was the parking manoeuvre.  Ben already has one friend who is an Academy driver and is encouraging more of his friends to get involved.  You can see how to get involved on the website.

You still have a month to book so hurry up and get involved , Ben, I and many others have had a great time today so don’t miss out. The competition closes on the 31st of August with the Grand Finale on the 4th of September; I hope to see you then!

Oh p.s. I am currently at number 10 in my age catergory… fingers crossed!!