SKYDS (Skilled or Killed Young Drivers Safety) is a safe-driver education program delivered to local school students in grades 10 -12 in the Shoalhaven.

On Saturday the 30th July, eighteen local P platers attended a defensive driving course in Marulan. The costs of the course, food and transport were entirely subsided by the Bendigo Bank Sanctuary Point as a community project. At 7:30am we met outside of the bank, and boarded the bus provided by Serco Sedexo.

Upon arrival, we were introduced to the instructors and mentors of the day who led us to our seats. The beginning of the course featured lessons about the influence of drugs, alcohol and peer pressure in influencing our ability to make decisions, maintain balance and coordination and react safely to hazards. Following this, we were taught about the variety of different ‘skids’, of which we would be attempting during the afternoon, and how to respond to them. We were also taught about the physical forces that created these ‘skids’, such as speed or braking, and how best to avoid them.

Following the verbal tutorial, we were provided with lunch and drinks and access to the canteen. After that, we walked towards the end of the course and positioned ourselves on a hill slope where we could safely watch the instructors and later the participants manoeuvre the car through the course. Taking turns, with the instructors in the passenger seats, we attempted three ‘skids’, the ‘four wheel skid’, ‘front wheel skid’ and the ‘rear wheel skid’.

Despite being in a learning environment, the defensive driving course was incredibly FUN! Everybody got along, teasing and praising each other on their ability to drive. The manoeuvres were exciting and the adrenalin rush that came with almost losing control, but having the ability to regain power over the car was fantastic.

I myself, and I am sure that the other participants would agree, had an amazing time and are so thankful to the Bendigo Bank for providing the opportunity to do something we would have otherwise never experienced. I feel so much more confident on the roads, and assured of my abilities to come out safely from hazardous driving situations. Living out in the country, where the closest defensive driving course is over two hours away, I would urge everybody on their P’s to take advantage of the prospect of participating in an incredible course, with fantastic mentors, completely free of charge.

Had I known in advance, how this course would boost my confidence, make me feel safer in the car for myself and my passengers and how much I would enjoy the day, I would have happily paid for it. If you are, or know a P plater who would be interested, get involved with this project next year – it was fantastic!

Pamela Barling
School Captain
Vincentia High School

I would like to thank you for the excellent day of training which the Boral Cement team received yesterday. Having previously attended two driver training sessions run by other organisations, I can clearly say that the day at Marulan Driver Training Centre was the best I have experienced. You certainly have a great facility, with an interesting and well laid out track, and great facilities.

Our instructor Jason was excellent in both the theory and practical sessions of the course. He kept us interested and motivated all day, and was able to explain things in a clear and understandable way.

Thanks once again for creating such an informative, practical and enjoyable day.

Regards,
Mike Boadle - Engineering Services Manager

I spent the day today at Marulan Driver Training Centre with the BMW Drivers Club NSW and had a fantastic time. I have been doing club sprinting the last 2 years and recently drove at Mt Panorama with the Festival of Sporting Cars Easter event. I found the track has honed my driving skills. The track is well designed. It is not a fast track, speeds from 60 - 100kph, and this makes it ideal to hone car control skills. I noticed that on the drive back to the Blue Moutains that I was paying more attention to the traffic and road conditions and therefore driving more safely. My car control is smoother because I have spent the day feeling the balance of the car. Facilities such as this should be more widely available so that more drivers young and experienced can hone their skills and increase their safe driving habits. Other members of the club came from Canberra and as far away as Newcastle. I commend the local council and residents for supporting a facility that is dedicated in a practical way, to making drivers safer, and in particular new and young drivers.
Brian.

Nat, Thanks to MDTC for your kind assistance on the 25th. Your training facility is first class.Regards, Sam

To Garry and staff,
Our group had an amazing day at your complex, we would like to thank you and your staff for the hospitality, the help with car set up and the running of an incident free day with alot of track time, the canteen was top class, excellent facilities and all round friendly atmosphere.
Looking forward to our next day with many more to come.
Matt Hambridge

Garry, Just like to thank you and your staff for a most enjoyable day on 4 Jan 10. Great family atmosphere and very helpful tips from a great racer. Good hamburgers and coffee as well! I will certainly be letting my friends and car club members know of the best kept secret in the region.
Regards, Norm Sutton

Dear Garry and Natalie,
I just want to say a huge thank you for offering a driver training course, it taught me how to control my car in situations that occur everyday, with knowing this the next time i experience these conditions i am better quipped by what i learnt at your centre.
I would HIGHLY recommend that both young and old undertake this experience as it is excellent knowledge to carry with you.
Attending your centre is very valuable and with it being a safe and controlled environment is nice to know people care about the drivers that are out there on the road by providing them with a centre like this.
Many thanks once again and i look forward to coming out again one day in the future and enjoying the range of activities the centre offers.
Lisa curtis - 1st Geissler motors voucher holder to attend.

Dear Garry & Natalie

I just wanted to congratulate you on such a great facility at MDTC.

My daughter Kiraleigh did the kids driver training #2 course during the
holidays and thouroughly enjoyed it. Both her and my son are now working
out how long it will take them to save up enough pocket money to go again!
I was very impressed by your facility and am making sure I tell all my
friends about it. Like you, I would love to see your teenage driver
programme compulsory, prior to them obtaining thier P plates. My kids will
certainly not be hitting the roads without it!

Once again congratulations. I hope that MDTC is a great success for you
both.

Shiree Bladwell

Hi Garry,

Thank you again for a fantastic day (Circuit Club – Girls Only Day).

The facilities are so well maintained, the people are wonderful and I cannot say I have been to better.

My partner Emily had an amazing day and performed so well in our Yellow Evo IX, (despite lack of preparation on my part - old tyres and brake pads).

I personally must thank you for the time to talk of days gone by (Amaroo, Warwick Farm and Group A Touring Cars) and I look forward to coming back for not only a great days driving but genuine hospitality from yourself, Natalie and all the staff.
I can’t wait to organise a day of fun and action soon enough.

Have a great day, best wishes to all.

Thank you.
Scott Bell

Hi Garry and Nat,

I just wanted to say a special thank you to both of you for providing an
unreal venue for the HSV club event today, I am sure that I can say that all the club had a terrific day.

It's a great track and we all had lots of fun, in safety. I will highly recommend your venue to all my car enthusiast friends.

The kids really enjoyed the dirt buggy's as well.

Regards,

Rob van Heuzen
Manager
Performance Wedding Cars (and HSV Club member)

April 26 HSV Owners Club Canberra Track Day

Not a negative remark to be had!

Thanks Garry and Natalie for hosting a great day at your new venture. A big thanks also to all your staff in the Cafe and all your staff on track duties.

To say we had a great time would be an understatement, we will be back again, that is a promise.

The track is a great learning curve for those who have never experienced this activity , as well as a challenge for those who have done track days
before.

Again thank you from us all at our club,

Glenn Markham

Hi Nat,

On behalf of our members and their families, i would like to thank you, Garry and your staff for a very entertaining, fulfilling and well run day.

All of our participating members had a blast whilst improving their driving skills and learning more about their cars.

We will definitely be looking at using your great facility again soon.

Regards,

Brad Gordon
President
HSV Owners Club of NSW Inc HDT (Canberra branch)

The following letter was sent to Justin and Nathan of OzTrackDays, following a recent track day they hosted at the Marulan Driver Training Centre.

Hi Justin and Nathan,

Thanks for a terrific day on Saturday. As was fairly obvious on the day, I had an absolute hoot.

I was very impressed with the track and facilities and also feel you guys at OzTrackDays did an excellent job of running the day.

Justin and Nathan are true driving enthusiasts and both can definitely handle a vehicle.

I will be attending future drive and training days these guys are holding, for sure.

I can’t wait to see that beautiful FD fully dialled in and I’m sure it will be up there with the quickest, if not the quickest street registered track cars in the country.

On the track itself, it is a blast! My opinion is this track is far more challenging than Wakefield and a lot more fun.

The surface is extremely grippy and the track design is superb, with flowing corners and a couple of very tricky turns.

The circuit is short at only 1 km, but don’t for a minute assume this track is boring.

The track is as enjoyable as it is difficult and will definitely test any calibre of driver or vehicle.

There is little to no rest driving this circuit flat out and doing lap after lap, Marulan’s track reveals how seriously addictive it can become very quickly.

I have accepted that this track will become my home circuit after such an enjoyable day out there on my first visit.

To add to the awesome track the facilities are also brand new and top notch.

The café and club building overlook the entire race track and offer a perfect viewing area in the shade while you enjoy a meal or a snack.

Gary is a great help and is always willing to offer advice on racing lines and getting the most out of the track and is over all a terrific host.

Go see and experience MDTC for yourself, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to MDTC growing into one of the best driver training facilities in the country.

There are a lot of track day mobs out there these days, but it must be said that OzTrackDays offer a more genuine experience than the numerous others I have been involved with. Keep up the good work guys, my support will be with you.

Clint Duncan