Goodwood pre-learner driver programme
Legendary racing driver and Goodwood regular Derek Bell MBE is lending his support to the Goodwood Motor Circuit’s innovative ‘MINI-Drivers @ Goodwood’ pre-learner driver programme, with the help of his 12-year old son, Sebastian.
Derek Bell’s very first motor circuit experience was at Goodwood at the wheel of a Lotus Seven in 1964. Just two years later, he gained his first competitive victory at Goodwood too, in a Formula 3 race, competing in a Lotus 41.
Just like his father, Derek’s son Sebastian Bell has also gained his first circuit driving experience at Goodwood, but in a rather more controlled and safe environment at the wheel of one of the dual-controlled ‘MINI Drivers @ Goodwood’ fleet of new MINI Ones.
MINI Drivers @ Goodwood focuses uniquely on teaching sub-17 year-old trainee drivers controlled, safe and secure driving skills; so that they are fully prepared and equipped to deal with today’s demanding public roads and driving conditions before heading out on public roads. The MINI Drivers @ Goodwood youth driver training programme is unique in using a genuine race track as its dedicated base to teach young drivers the essential skills of safe driving and considerate road craft.
The fleet of eight new MINI One models are being provided to Goodwood by MINI UK Limited. They will be used to teach young first-time drivers the essentials of what makes a vehicle work, before moving on to some hands-on experience manoeuvring the car around the Goodwood circuit under expert tuition from a trained driving professional.
As the young drivers progress through the courses at Goodwood, they will move from automatic MINIs to manual-equipped cars, with a progressive training schedule that will take the student from the basics, right through to passing his or her mock driving test theory exam. Along the way they will have huge fun, but also learn many important life saving skills, including being taught the risks of driving too fast, the dangers of drink driving, having unruly passengers, plus the essentials of good vehicle maintenance and driving on public roads once 17 years of age.
After running the full course and passing their driving test, participants should qualify for insurance discounts; the savings of which should more than cover the costs of the full MINI Drivers @ Goodwood training schedule.
The programme launches on Monday 2 August with a series of three introductory experiences priced at £99 each. Gift vouchers are also be available for the Goodwood training so that parents, grandparents, guardians and friends can treat their significant young loved ones life-long safe and secure driving skills. Any child reaching a minimum height of 1:5m (4ft 9”) can participate.
For all MINI Drivers @ Goodwood bookings and more information, visit goodwood.com/minidrivers.
