Many thanks for the two days of driver training at Millbrook. I particularly liked the briefing and discussion of learning styles so that each exercise was highly productive. The continued checking that the course was addressing what I thought I wanted as well as your professional insights into what I actually needed was particularly useful.

Having you demonstrate what I should be doing and the attendant commentary was good, although the car appeared to gain another 100 BHP and far better suspension in your hands! I’m still not sure how you have the patience/concentration to keep pointing out the same mistakes and coach on improvements. I would highly recommend the wet handling session to anyone thinking of booking the course.

The fact that I filled two sides of A4 with all your tips shows how many bad habits can be identified and corrected over a relatively short space of time. I cannot wait for the next track day so that I can try and put your training into practice… It also helps that you have had wide exposure in the motor industry and the anecdotal information adds yet more to the course.

Lastly, anyone who has any interest in cars would find Millbrook itself absolutely fascinating due to the huge variety of vehicles testing there. It’s not often you can share a track with a disguised hypercar undergoing development, or drive on the roads that you see in James Bond films.

Thanks again.

R. Hodgson

Soon after buying my first powerful sports car, it soon became clear that my current driving skills did not match the car’s capability and I felt like the car was driving me and not me driving the car.

I had become quite a nervous driver, something I had never been before, with no confidence in the corners or the wet, so something had to be done. I spoke to other companies who offer performance driver training but received what felt to be an impersonal response. Then I came across Total Car Control and spoke directly with Ivan. After the first conversation I knew he was the right man for the job, listening to all my concerns and tailoring the course to suit my needs: I came away feeling very confident and looking forward to the coaching. I went for the 3 day Total Control Masterclass, which turned out to be the right choice.

Start of day one at Millbrook and it just feels like I was doing everything wrong, and I was. All this time Ivan was assessing my faults on which we would then focus on fixing. By the end of the day I was already seeing results and feeling a lot more confident in the car. Day two was just on another level: now I was able to understand every instruction we had worked on the previous day and having now more of an idea of the cars limits we pushed further. I finished the day exhilarated, exhausted and with a wealth of knowledge plus a huge smile!

Day three, on the road, my initial thoughts were well what can we really do here with speed limits, other drivers etc, but how wrong I was. Weaving through the country roads with my newly acquired skills was so good: all the concerns I raised at the beginning had been taken away. I am now totally in love with the car again and can’t wait to take it out each day. If I hadn’t have taken this training with Ivan I could have seen myself selling the M3. I came away with so much more knowledge than I thought I would, which has totally changed the way I drive after 25 years behind the wheel.

There’s lots more stuff I’d like to write but I think you get the picture. This was definitely worth the money; Ivan is definitely the right man for the job and I will be returning in the future.

M. Hackett

I am now totally in love with the car again and can’t wait to take it out each day. If I hadn’t have taken this training with Ivan I could have seen myself selling the M3. I came away with so much more knowledge than I thought I would, which has totally changed the way I drive after 25 years behind the wheel. This was definitely worth the money; Ivan is definitely the right man for the job and I will be returning in the future.

I bought a powerful new car and wanted to control it better and safely. I went into these 3 days of driver mentoring not really knowing what to expect, with no knowledge of the company apart from the glowing reviews on Google. I thought after 3 days I would know it all, but what Ivan has shown me is a true way of driving with pace and complete safety (much safer than most road users!).

If you are reading this review I urge you to take this course: in all my years of driving these are the best 3 days I have had bar none (and none other comes even close!). I now use the road with a completely different outlook to before I started and how my driving has changed is just immense. Words can’t describe how good it feels and you will only truly understand how good this course is by doing it.

It was so good I will be attending more, and it has given me a bug to get on track (one of the tracks at Millbrook I could have stayed on all day long, as it’s so noticeable how much your driving improves after the foundations are laid). I feel like I have tapped into more of my car’s potential as well. It also made me realise how talented these guys and professional drivers are.

Don’t wait, book it.

W. Crowe

If you are reading this review I urge you to take this course: in all my years of driving these are the best 3 days I have had bar none (and none other comes even close!). I now use the road with a completely different outlook to before I started and how my driving has changed is just immense. Words can’t describe how good it feels and you will only truly understand how good this course is by doing it.

Spent an incredible and unforgettable couple of days with Ivan that have left me a much more confident and competent driver at speed as well as in general. I had a long list of things to cover, including balance, trail braking, cornering and skid control, but also learnt that none of it mattered unless the most important technique was practiced – vision.

The course left me with skills that could be developed on my own on public roads (safely) and I now feel – critically – much more in control.”

P. Sideris

I cannot recommend the courses offered by Ivan at Total Car Control enough. The content covered during my 3 day Total Control Masterclass was intense but delivered extremely well and professionally as well as being tailored to suit my ability.

What I hoped to take away from the course was to improve my confidence whilst making me a safer, smoother and better driver. I will definitely be booking again in 2022.

P. Snashall

I came to my two day course with the expectation of taking my Ferrari to the limits of its capability and quickly came to realise that the limiting factor was the faulty ‘component’ behind the wheel, not the car.

The first day was surprisingly intense and physically tiring, with the challenges of the Millbrook tracks requiring full concentration, whether running at high speed on the banked High Speed bowl, or balancing the car on the twisty sections.

The second day was similarly a ‘full on’ event, with plenty of on-road time spent under Ivan’s individual instruction, providing an excellent way to really understand and practice useful techniques to improve the performance and safety of my driving. I certainly came away with a list of improvements I need to apply and am much more conscious of road positioning and forward planning when driving now; so hopefully a better, safer driver as a result.

M. Summers

I came to my two day course with the expectation of taking my Ferrari to the limits of its capability and quickly came to realise that the limiting factor was the faulty ‘component’ behind the wheel, not the car.

My brother and I each booked a two day Total Control Masterclass with Total Car Control with the initial requirement of it being a stipulation from our insurance company in order to drive our respective Lamborghini Huracan and Ferrari F12. The knowledge and confidence we gained from the two days was of great personal enjoyment and not just of requirement.

The first day at Millbrook Proving Ground was thoroughly enjoyable: it gave us the chance to truly push and enjoy our cars without the constraints of legal road restrictions. Knowing our cars’ limits, although we’d never push them there, allows us to be fully confident in our driving rather than being tentative and ‘scared’ of what might happen.

The teaching we received was very relaxed yet informative and enjoyable. The second day on the road allows us to apply everything learned at Millbrook to every day driving conditions to create a safer more enjoyable drive in our cars.

We would highly recommend Total Car Control and wouldn’t hesitate to book again, especially for another day at Millbrook Proving Ground!

J. Hammond

My brother and I each booked a two day Total Control Masterclass with Total Car Control with the initial requirement of it being a stipulation from our insurance company in order to drive our respective Lamborghini Huracan and Ferrari F12. The knowledge and confidence we gained from the two days was of great personal enjoyment and not just of requirement.

I felt that I learned a hell of a lot from the course! From simple stuff such as the right driving position and even how to hold the steering wheel properly, through to how to help steer the car precisely by accelerating or braking; which seems so obvious now but I’d have never really realised this before.

I now have so much more confidence in the capabilities of what my car can do with regards to grip and power: knowing that I can now really push the car without the worry of it spinning is a great feeling. It was also really nice to be told to speed up rather than slow down!

I will 100% be back for further coaching, either with a new car or with an LSD on the M130i.

A. Varenne

Thank you so much for an amazing couple of days. The course was brilliant and I wish I had done it a few years ago when Mark did his (it might have saved a few marital debates when out in the car 😳).

I have to say that your judgement as to how much to stretch me out of my comfort zone and when to ‘back off’ was perfect. At the start of the course I said my objectives were to learn to drive the 964 RS safely, with confidence in all conditions and to know it’s (and my) limits. I wasn’t interested in speed. I felt this was achieved. I also now know why Mark loves this car so much! The RS definitely does like speed 😂

You were patient, never patronising and always encouraging and positive. And who’d have thought you’d get me up in Lane 5 on the high speed track, let alone sideways on the wet area (which I just loved – makes me grin just thinking of it)!

Many thanks and I hope to see you again in a few months to build on what I have learned.”

L. Halliwell

I have to say that your judgement as to how much to stretch me out of my comfort zone and when to ‘back off’ was perfect. At the start of the course I said my objectives were to learn to drive the 964 RS safely, with confidence in all conditions and to know it’s (and my) limits. You were patient, never patronising and always encouraging and positive.

Learnt a lot on my first day; un-learnt a lot more (i.e. long-ingrained weak habits). It was most interesting to see how much even small amounts of acceleration / deceleration affects how my car steers. Already felt a lot more confident in my F-Type V8, even after just 1 day. Ivan really extends your comfort zone and gives you confidence in what your car can do.

On my second day with Ivan at Millbrook Proving Ground, I got more used to high speed. On my first training day I bottled out from a foot to the floor at 120ish. This time I last glanced at my speedo at 150mph and still accelerating – not sure what speed I got to. This was supported by gaining a thorough understanding and appreciation of ABS, braking and manoeuvring at increasingly higher speeds: fun at 40mph and really eye-opening at 100mph. The afternoon was spent on the Hill Route, which again took me outside of and then greatly stretched my comfort zone. Another great day.

The final day of my Total Control Masterclass, on public roads, took me further outside my comfort zone, yet I learnt so much on this last day. For example, safely using all the road (as and when appropriate and beneficial) for far-reaching observations and easy, smooth cornering. Even skills that I thought I knew, such as how to overtake, have been significantly changed and greatly improved. Also driving through built-up areas – lots of areas that I needed improvement on. At the end of the day I was totally exhausted due to having learned so much.

Summing up: the first two days at Millbrook gave me confidence, both in the car and in myself. It got me used to speed and how safe and forgiving my car is when driven well. Also the importance of far-reaching, detailed observation and the driving line both entering and exiting corners. It set the foundation of skill for safe control on road. The last day (on public roads) was the most demanding yet most worthwhile part of the course. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A bit like being at a theme park but where the risks are real. However, it was up to me how much I wanted to be pushed outside my comfort zone. Now looking forward to practicing and enjoying my car to the full.

D. Arnold

The first two days at Millbrook gave me confidence, both in the car and in myself. It got me used to speed and how safe and forgiving my car is when driven well. Also the importance of far-reaching, detailed observation and the driving line both entering and exiting corners. It set the foundation of skill for safe control on road. The last day (on public roads) was the most demanding yet most worthwhile part of the course. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A bit like being at a theme park but where the risks are real. However, it was up to me how much I wanted to be pushed outside my comfort zone. Now looking forward to practicing and enjoying my car to the full.

Please see below my thoughts on my 2-day Total Control Masterclass. First of all, I would like to thank you for your patience throughout the tuition; it was very much appreciated. I was starting from a basic level, but your teaching style made it extremely easy for me to learn from you and I got a lot out of the course. I particularly enjoyed the time at Millbrook, learning a huge amount about my car and probably more importantly, my abilities as a driver in the process.

I no longer feel intimidated by my C63S, and driving with the more measured and observant style that you gave me not only results in me feeling much safer in any given situation, but also much more confident to make rapid progress. This was a main objective of mine and one that I can say the course very much fulfilled.

The on-road day was equally as fulfilling and reinforced the concepts I learned on day 1. I have already altered my driving style in a number of ways: everything from road positioning for corners to the way of approaching slow moving or queuing traffic to protect myself from those behind. One of the biggest surprises to me however, was the concept of ‘narrating’ my driving: you’ll be pleased to know I now find myself doing it subconsciously on most drives and it is super useful!

I would like to build on what I’ve already learned by coming back and spending more time under your tuition. Furthermore, I would have no hesitation in recommending your services to friends and colleagues alike.

Thank you again for a challenging and fun 2 days!

S. Gregory

I no longer feel intimidated by my C63S, and driving with the more measured and observant style that you gave me not only results in me feeling much safer in any given situation, but also much more confident to make rapid progress. This was a main objective of mine and one that I can say the course very much fulfilled.

Having booked a couple of training days with Ivan in December, I was a little disappointed with the weather: 0.5 degrees, wet and foggy. What could anyone teach me on a track in this? Well, I learnt more from Ivan in 2 days than in my last 30 years of driving.

I have a V8 M3 which I knew was capable, but had no idea just how capable it really was until my time with Ivan. I would recommend Total Car Control to anyone wanting to improve their own skills beyond what they could even imagine; and if you have a performance car, it really is a must. Ivan is great instructor and fills you with confidence.

I’m looking forward to my next round!

P. Harding