As a young driver with little experience on the roads, let alone in sports / supercars, I decided to have a three day performance driving course with Total Car Control. I was amazed how many skills I picked up on road.

The best bit is, because the steps were taught so simply and well, I have remembered them 5 months on and use them in my day to day driving. Will definitely be having a refresher come spring in my new cars.

Thanks Ivan.

B. Fowler

Many thanks for the extremely detailed and helpful résumé. So much to take in in such a short time, but I will endeavour to work on what we covered over the 2-day Total Control Masterclass and I’d definitely like to take more On Road training with you at a later date to build on what I’ve learned so far. I’m driving with new eyes now. The information is all out there when you know what you are looking for, and that coupled with the new handling techniques you’ve taught me are adding enormously to my enjoyment of driving.

Thank you for a course that was perfectly tailored to my own personal requirements. I appreciate the way you allowed me to work gently into situations that I was anxious about tackling. Done so expertly that I was led seamlessly into the things that worried me before I realised what I was doing! I’m so glad that I placed my trust in you; I can already feel a new confidence building in my driving as I begin to take back control of what is happening around me on the road. Many thanks.

A. Rutter

I really enjoyed my two days with Ivan on the Total Control Masterclass. Initially I was apprehensive about the course being too simplistic or focused on traditional driving techniques (push pull steering, etc!), however I needn’t have worried.

The course was perfectly judged for my level of experience, being challenging and yet hugely rewarding from start to finish. I came away feeling that my driving had significantly improved, that I can get more out of my GT4 on track and road, more safely, more of the time. Ivan left me with a clear review of my time with him, and a comprehensive list of items to work on going forward to continue my progression.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone with a performance car who wants to try to get their own ability closer to that of the vehicle they drive.

J. Carey

My Christmas gift from my partner to have a day with Total Car Control came as a big surprise – to think she thought I could benefit from instruction in fast, safe driving indeed!

I immediately booked this to suit our busy schedule and took the first full day course this week, and what a course! It was just so good because Ivan asked me exactly what I wanted to achieve and gain from the full 7 hours spent in my own car – and then he simply and skilfully crafted the day around my ideals and expectations; which were to be sharper, faster, safer, to understand the limits of the car AND the driver, and to maximise my enjoyment of my Audi R8 V10 Plus to the full.

The specialist tracks at Millbrook Proving Ground simulate many aspects of real roads and then accentuate and exaggerate them, i.e. surfaces, cambers, corners and all, and we set off to discover my time ingrained issues and how to smooth them all out; and boy what a difference we made over the day. In the morning, first thing, the car felt like it needed to be beaten and wrestled to get the most from it, with me working hard and thinking the R8 was pretty quick. As time went on and many small but key adjustments were made and smoothed out, almost massaging away the roughness and injecting silk and finesse, the car became easier and better to drive; better than ever – absolutely awesome in fact. And faster, so much faster – and so much so I couldn’t even look at the speedo!

Feeling this connected and in-tune with my car was like that sweet spot when you hit a golf ball with the big driver that once in a lifetime and smack down the middle it goes into the distance where you can no longer even see it; just so incredibly satisfying. This was the result of some pretty sensible logical understandings of the car, my inputs and the relationship between my hands and BOTH feet – a lot to take in and get right, but as Ivan puts it across so well and lives with the errors until sorted, big steps were made this very first day.

There will be more visits to Total Car Control and more to do on the track and road, but in a nutshell for you… This course should be compulsory for anyone other than a racing team trained driver to complete – you will learn from Ivan and get so much more from your car! Do it and become as one with your car and with the road.

T. Burrow

It was just so good because Ivan asked me exactly what I wanted to achieve and gain from the full 7 hours spent in my own car – and then he simply and skilfully crafted the day around my ideals and expectations; which were to be sharper, faster, safer, to understand the limits of the car AND the driver, and to maximise my enjoyment of my Audi R8 V10 Plus to the full.
As time went on and many small but key adjustments were made and smoothed out, almost massaging away the roughness and injecting silk and finesse, the car became easier and better to drive; better than ever – absolutely awesome in fact. And faster, so much faster.

Thanks so much for a great day On Road this week. I got so much more from it than I had anticipated. Having driven over 500,000 miles on road, I came to realise that this isn’t necessarily a great thing. 500k of not so good habits is harder to overcome than 100k! At Millbrook a few weeks ago for my Dynamic Handling day, I absolutely loved the session on the Outer Handling Circuit, which gave me time to progressively practice new techniques, lap by lap, hence build more competence and confidence.

Learning the limits of the car whilst braking on the Mile Straight was very useful: wow, I didn’t know a car could stop that quickly! The banked High Speed Circuit was vital to help me gain understanding of the limit point. I thought I was strong at looking ahead, especially on motorways, but clearly there was more room for improvement to help with planning entry and exit of corners. I now totally agree that the 2nd day, On Road, is essential. The consolidation of learning from Millbrook is vital.

I learnt so much and really felt I got value out of the day as we got to practice so much. I’ll no doubt be in touch again.

P. Erricker

Thank you again for the Total Control Masterclass, it was hugely enjoyable and beneficial. All of those Key Learning Points are great and I’ll work on perfecting all of them. Both days of the course were perfect and I wouldn’t have changed a thing on how it was done or the order that we did things in. On the first day, the 2 mile circular High Speed Circuit that we used to improve my looking to the ‘limit point’ skill helped make everything else much easier as it made me able to have more feel for where the F12 was on the road, as well as making me more confident for the rest of the 2 days.

In short – the course couldn’t be better. The way you ran it also helped a lot as you were very calm in the way you explained things. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to significantly improve their driving. Thanks again from both me and my Dad! Hopefully see you again sometime soon, whether that be on another Masterclass with you, or coaching me on a racing circuit when I start racing.

J. Sargeant

I initially signed up for the 2-day Total Control Masterclass only because my dad (who had already done this with Ivan) insisted that I do so in order to be allowed to drive his cars. Despite being young and only having been on the road for 2 years, I didn’t consider myself as a bad driver at all, at least until I met Ivan and began to realise just how much I did not know.

This course was definitely a life changing experience for me, one that has changed my whole outlook on the road and driving; understanding the bad habits most of us have, even without knowing it, and slowly improving the way I drive. Driving well is a priceless skill and taking this course was one of the best decisions I will ever make with regards to cars. Understanding car dynamics and the way even my little BMW reacts to every control input I make is just amazing: I never believed this course could change me so much as a driver.

It’s amazing how much fun and how calm driving can be when done right! Having learned so much over both days, I now have a lot to practice. But as long as one knows the key points for Total Car Control then everyone can be a safer, calmer and faster driver. Thanks again and I’ll definitely be back!

J. Roth

We would like to express our appreciation of the skills you imparted to us during our 2 days with you at Millbrook and on the roads of Cambridgeshire.

The balance of the teaching was perfectly matched to our needs, stretching us when required. The drive home to Somerset was “progressive” as we used our newfound driving techniques; choosing to take the scenic route through the Cotswolds and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The feedback report we received this week was spot on and we will be putting all points into practice. As promised we look forward to returning in the near future. Our very warmest regards.

S. & J. Bootle

I thoroughly enjoyed my Dynamic Handling Masterclass and learnt a huge amount, not least that I thought I was a good driver but actually there is a whole lot more to driving than just going fast!

I really enjoyed learning about the technical elements of driving theory and how the car actually works and performs, especially when we turned off all the driver aids!

I was shocked by how hard it actually is to drive properly and this has certainly given me the desire to do more courses with yourself to improve further.

G. Davies

I knew I had learnt a huge amount in our 2 days together, but did not appreciate just how much knowledge Ivan has passed down until I first drove onto the F1 track at Spa, Belgium, for my first ever track day. To describe the track day as intimidating would be an understatement. I watched in awe as big racing Porsches, Mercedes etc arrived at the track, often in their own trailers and with mechanics. To be honest, without the 2 day Total Control Masterclass at Millbrook and on the road, I would not have gone on the track. But the experience around the Hill Route at Millbrook gave me the confidence to drive at my limits.

In terms of safe driving, the mantra, “position for vision” has stayed with me and enabled me to drive fast on the B roads in France and Belgium on the way to Spa but in a safe way. It was amazing how many cars cut corners on blind and semi blind turns, but as I was safe thanks to my dynamic positioning on the road at all times, other road users’ mistakes did not affect me.

In summary, it is only now after a few weeks from attending the days with Ivan can I properly distil the huge advice given. I would not have had such a rewarding 3 track days at Spa then Nurburgring without hearing Ivan’s voice in my head at those crucial moments.

D. Oliver

I hope you got my earlier email about my progress after your Masterclasses. I learned a lot and spent some time telling my partner about the latest day, On Road, and all that I had learned, and was still coming to grips with.

She took on board your advice about keeping a bigger gap to the car in front and always managing the space around you: a few weeks later, she has reported that not only does she feel safer, she is less stressed and her average fuel economy has gone from 42 to 52mpg!

By any measure, this is amazing. I believe the core principles you teach are applicable to every driver and should be part of driver education. Once again, my thanks and best wishes. Until next time.

C. Davies

Thank you so much for the comprehensive write-up following last week’s On Road Masterclass.

I think you have done a first class job in collecting all the very valuable lessons from the day and I shall follow these diligently to achieve safe enjoyable use of the Bentley.

You certainly located an ideal area for the training; and I believe your programme content is spot on for people like me who have driven for decades but never really developed their skills.

N. O’Sullivan