Skid Pan @ Zwartkops

Skids and slides as you know it, are as dangerous as they are fun. Our annual event attempts to wipe that danger factor out and keep you in control.

The TTCC held our annual Skid Control and Collision Avoidance course on the Skid Pan at Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 29th of March. With Toyota Advanced Driving present, we had a confident bunch of newbies and pros eager to learn and test their skills.

The committee had the venue set up nice and early, while our helpful members led the convoys to the Z. With everyone together, TAD’s well versed instructors briefed us all in what traction and control is all about, how to keep it, how to lose it, and how to regain it. With the theory out of the way, TTCC’s live test dummy Nishan did a few demonstrations so we could get an idea of what the practical exercise should look like. TAD covered 3 major techniques in the course namely: Cadence braking, collision avoidance and skid control. Thereafter to put our new found skills to the test, a gymkhana circuit was set up. We saw a variety of Toyota’s…Yaris’, 86’s, X’s, an Auris, an MR2 and as always Corollas old and new, and a wide representation of other manufacturers as well. The presence of so many vehicles from other stables made for some interesting viewing of antics on the Skid Pan. Some surprising results arose and it went to show just how much a driver can make a difference. Men and women alike were now commanding the control of their cars and were quite impressed with their results. All in all, it was a major learning curve for many.

TAD’s instructors are among the country’s finest and we would like to thank Deon, Jannie and Zanzi for their stellar instruction, as well as Toyota South Africa for allowing us use of Toyota Advanced Driving.

A major thanks goes out to our prize sponsors being McCarthy Toyota Centurion who sponsored a comprehensive Roadside Assistance Kit, and Castrol for sponsoring a great variety of their products – free water bottles for every early bird who pre-registered for the event, as well as lucky draw prizes of the quality oils, lubricants and grit.

Our local, friendly supercharger addicts from RGMotorsport and RMS Innovations were also at the Skid Pan further showing the 86 owners how much they could ‘Go Play.’

Another thank you has to go out to Nick from SA Car Clubs – there for his first TTCC outing and event coverage.

Not forgetting our loyal attendees – we hope you all had fun improving your driving abilities and increasing your confidence in this safe and controlled environment.

Our next event is one for everyone – a relaxed club social – the first of the year. Bring the family, friends and every Toyota owner you can drag along! Drivers of other makes of vehicles will also be there, and are always welcome any of our events. So no matter what you drive, come through for the social, and get to know your fellow Toyota-heads better.

Don’t miss it – a day of team-building incorporating fun, fanatics, family and friends awaits!
Check back soon for our Social Event details.