Session 4 Debrief: Smooth Drive With Turning Problems

Yesterday, I planned to request my instructor to do some laps in the field today to practice my turning, both left and right. However, that didn’t happen and I went on a drive as usual.

Overall, it was a good ride. The pace was measured and there were no hairy moments. The shifts (both ways) were smoother and I didn’t even have to look at the stick.

At one place, I did a few U-turn practices, which went poorly. This validates my earlier points about a terribly constructed driving curriculum by my instructor. Maybe most of them are like this.

The session, in general, was both good and bad. It did help me get more confidence behind the wheel but didn’t teach me anything new. I still need to focus on the same shit as earlier.

Before I dive into that, the recap.

Session 4 Recap

I requested the instructor to let me do laps in the training field to practice turns. I even cased the area to find a nice unmarked track that would have helped me master the fundamental controls of the car.

But I was denied and we went on for a ride instead, the same thing I’ve been doing since signing up for these classes. When I sat in the car, I quoted CJ from San Andreas internally, “Ah shit! Here we go again.”

While joining the road, it was a bit confusing because, again, my focus remained on the controls of the vehicle rather than the road. It’s hard to precisely check for oncoming traffic while giving driving signals while joining the road if you are fixated on keeping the engine running and the car in a straight line.

Either way, off we went and the drive was pretty smooth. I was zoned in on doing the things I knew well in this practice drive. I successfully maintained the car’s direction and shifted gears along the way.

The pressure on the throttle pedal was stable and I even hit the horn a few times to inform others about myself.

As the ride was coming to an end, my teacher asked me to do a few U-turns. He did it because I was asking to practice the same in the field. I was taken aback as doing it on the road is significantly more stressful.

My entries into the corner were good, decent even, but the exits were messed up. I was partly looking at the road to be aware of the oncoming traffic and partly focused on clutch control to keep the engine alive.

Amid this chaos, I forgot to straighten the wheel after completing the turn and needed assistance from my teacher which came in the form of direct steering feedback.

Immediately after that, I asked my instructor how to improve. He suggested I look at the direction the car was going rather than anything else. It is good advice, but hard to implement considering I am just starting out.

I guess it will improve in the subsequent rides as I gain more tolerance to multiple inputs during a drive.

Areas of Improvement

Next time I am negotiating a turn, I will retract my right foot entirely and control the car with just the clutch. A partially released clutch will get the vehicle moving slowly, giving me ample time to straighten the steering wheel.

Moreover, I must count the loops I do with the wheel while taking a corner. This will make the correction seamless and easier. Finally, I need to initiate the correction process as soon as the car is on the desired driving line and complete it swiftly.

Of course, doing it on the road is difficult. But at the same time, it is what it is. If the guy, who has taught multiple kids how to drive, tells me that this is the best way forward, I will stop stressing and do whatever he suggests.

My job is to make the most out of every session by applying whatever I’ve learned and refining the same. Hopefully, he will use the training ground to get my turning practice in one of the upcoming sessions, because that’s what I really need.

Looking Forward: Rest and Relaxation

I’ve been grinding a lot lately. Work, content creation, and workouts are already as hard as it is. 

The driving lessons and daily debriefs on top of that mean I am running helter-skelter through my days. Thankfully, I’ve killed the dream machine to conserve energy which has been working well and my anxiety and stress levels are much lower than before.

At the same time, I will continue with this pace until the remaining 10-11 driving lessons are completed. Post that, I will have my own vehicle, and the training sessions will be much more measured and calculated after that.

Until next time,

Tara

---

Next Chapter: Session 5 Debrief: Good Sharp Turns

Previous Chapter: Session 3 Debrief: Expectations and Future Strategies

Index (with Prologue): The Path to Driving License