IAM RoadSmart to launch first Young Drivers Skills Day

Leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has announced a partnership with Thruxton racing circuit to host a new Young Drivers Skills Day on 22 August 2024 at the Hampshire track.

Tickets for this half-day experience are open to any young driver aged 17-30 and go on sale from today (29 April) priced at £149. Sessions are split into a morning or afternoon gathering and attendees can get behind the wheel of a variety of vehicles, including the latest Porsche Cayman on-track or a Land Rover for some off-road experience.

Young Drivers Skills Day

This new event builds on IAM RoadSmart’s existing experience in delivering popular Skills Days across the country. Young drivers will learn new driving techniques with some of the country’s most experienced instructors including:

• Circuit Driving (Porsche Cayman): Experiencing a 2.9ltr Porsche Cayman on one of the UK’s most advanced circuits which also hosts British Touring Car Championship races.
• Skid Pan: In a safe and controlled environment, we will help you develop the skills needed to correct and control a sliding car, a situation that you may encounter on public roads. Not only is this great fun but more importantly it’s a hugely worthwhile investment in your own and your passengers’ safety.
• 4×4 off-road: Develop skills of patience, caution and controlled aggression as you take on the 4×4 course tackling steep inclines and declines, rocks and tricky terrain.
• Autotest: Using control, precision and speed to navigate around a course of markers in a Mazda MX5 to achieve the fastest lap time with the fewest penalties.

According to latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures, younger drivers in Great Britain experience higher rates of injury in road collisions compared to motorists of other ages. IAM RoadSmart recognises the importance of early intervention in shaping responsible and skilled drivers. By providing practical experience in a controlled environment, this event will equip younger drivers with the tools they need to help them stay safe on our roads.

The sessions are open to full licence holders, whether they are an IAM RoadSmart member or not.

Making young drivers better drivers

IAM RoadSmart chief executive Antony Kildare said:

“We’re hugely excited to be launching this scheme for younger drivers which will not only be immensely enjoyable, but crucially will help them develop key driving disciplines. We’re proud to be working with an established partner like Thruxton to deliver this.”

Thruxton Circuit sales manager Lorne Mitchener said:

“Thruxton Circuit is not only a place associated with great days out, but it is also a place where we can help make younger drivers of today better drivers of tomorrow. We’re delighted to partner on [the new Young Drivers Skills Day] with the UK’s leading road safety charity.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased through the IAM RoadSmart website.