"Reinvigoration of my driving"

Ivan has totally reinvigorated my love of driving. I’ve had a lot of fast cars and have done a little racing, but I knew that I wasn’t getting the best out of my RS4 - it does so much for you that I felt like a passenger. Not anymore. Patiently, calmly and with admirable good-humour, Ivan showed me where I was going wrong and how to get the most out of the car - safely. It feels like a great investment and I wish I’d done it ages ago.”

"Fantastic course loved it"

Steve and I did a course in my John Cooper Works 4 wheel drive Mini, and it changed my driving life. I love my car and I love driving and Ivan taught me things about my car and driving I use every day and I love. Thank you for such a great time, one day we will come back for more.

"I must for any Driver"

Firstly, thank you for putting up with me and my bad driving over the last two days, which takes a lot of courage and patience!
I found both days extremely well planned and appropriately tuned into teaching me the right way to drive quickly yet also in a safe and thoroughly enjoyable manner, at the same time eliminating 43 years of bad driving habits.
Day one’s session at Millbrook specifically helped me refresh and learn new things about the physics of car balance and control (under/oversteer, lift off oversteer, trail braking etc.), then adding into the mix:
• The vital importance of peripheral vision – plan ahead to see what dangers or obstacles you need to factor into your car positioning, look at exit point not the road straight ahead/entry point
• The importance of correct seating and hand positioning
• Finesse (lightness of touch) in car control – timing and smoothness of inputs (steering, throttle, brakes, etc.)
• Feel and understand what the car is communicating back to you
• Where the correct apex to the corner is and how to set the car up for it
All these learnt in theory and then applied in practical demonstrations on various circuits helped bring them to life, akin to a chemistry experiment in a lab. Doing 120 mph on the outer lane of the banked circuit in torrential rain with the roof down, marvellous! I would like to really master skid control and drifting one day!
Day two, out on the road was equally rewarding and enjoyable, again taking everything learned on day one and applying it to real world situations. The route we took was brilliant, a great mix of challenging roads and conditions. I particularly liked the part where we went back and forth several times on the same stretch of road, each time adding incremental speed. This built my confidence and the feel and communication back from the car: you immediately know if each corner was driven really well or not – good ones are so rewarding, being smooth and quick with minimal input required.
In addition, learning subtle things like better gear selection, creating and maintaining a safety bubble and escape route, gapping and controlling the cars around you, optimal road positioning in all conditions (even driving through villages) to command/control the road and inform others of your intent, controlling speed coming to junctions in order to avoid all unnecessary stops were all new to me and will change the way I drive.
Some of the above was counter-intuitive to what I had learned and reinforced in my driving over many years and as such will take time to readjust to. There is no doubt about it: “Practice makes perfect” so I will endeavour to apply all that I learned every time I get behind the wheel. I have taken the very significant first steps to being a better driver, yet now recognise that the way ahead is long and steep. I look forward to returning for another course, and elevating my driving and the enjoyment it brings to the next level. My thanks again, much appreciated and I hope to see you again soon.

"Learning from Total Car Control is worth every penny."

Car control is a real skill and Ivan has taught me so much which has made me a safer, more confident driver.

I was given his expertise at both Millbrook (the Alpine course and skid pan are invaluable lessons with the right teacher) and on a road driving day.

My vision and what I notice whilst driving has been transformed. I am certainly more assured, able to press on safely and also have become more courteous to others.

I personally cannot rate Ivan high enough.

"I had a 3 day course with Ivan recently…"

I had a 3 day course with Ivan recently (2 days at Millbrook and one day on the road) . I have been driving for 35 years and it soon became clear how little I knew about proper car control and handling . Ivan made me feel totally at ease and his knowledge was invaluable. This course is for anyone regardless of the type of vehicle you drive. I also sent my 18 year old son for a 2 day course with Ivan and the difference that this has made to his driving and maturity on road behaviour is incredible. I can honestly say that this was the best money I have ever spent on ensuring safety for myself and my son . Highly recommended.

"Awesome experience, recommend to anyone"

As Sir Jackie Stewart’s driver in the UK, I attended the Total Control Masterclass in March. Ivan put me at ease from the very start and explained in detail the course and discussed how it would be adapted to my needs. The three days were challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable. I came away feeling much more confident in my ability to drive Sir Jackie in a comfortable and professional manner.

It also gave me greater confidence and understanding in handling the BMW 740e at speed, plus the techniques and skills to cope with hazardous road conditions and other road users. Since my time with Ivan, Sir Jackie has commented on several occasions that he has noticed a marked improvement in my driving ability. I would recommend Total Car Control to anyone; and know that Sir Jackie’s driver in Switzerland has already been booked in for his 3 days with Ivan.
C. Greenwood

"Pre covid"

Fabulous Christmas present from my wife, a 2 day course with Ivan.

Like many my first day was at Millbrook, and then on the country roads around Cambridge.

I can still hear Ivan in my head, 'wash from p1 to p2'

Great course, and I would highly recommend it.

Can't remember the date, but it was pre covid.

"Great Day"

My wife and I booked Ivan for a day. We both had a great time and could not believe what our car was capable of after fantastic tuition from Ivan.

"Money we'll spent"

Money we'll spent. We buy the cars and think we can drive. A very intense experience which taught me so much about how to quickly and safely drive a car. Ivan is a true pro and a good teacher able to tailor things to your start point and pace of learning. Thoroughly recommended.

"A great experience with Ivan. Recommended!"

I've done a few track days before taking a course with Ivan, and didn't have a great idea on what in particular I need to work on to improve my driving and speed. The 2 day performance driving course with Ivan gave me everything i wanted, and more. now I have it pretty much figured out what goes into a perfect lap. and where my skill level is at in all the aspects of it. This understanding itself is great, but I've learned new skills and improved my driving right there at Millbrook. And Ivan's caching is very good.
I think it's pretty essential course for most performance car drivers to keep your car on the road, and be safe, relaxed and confident behind the wheel.