1: Instructors

Our Instructors

"You will gather from my answers that I can be of no help whatsoever in making constructive suggestions on how you can improve your service. I have experienced other sessions masquerading as driver training using such inadequate instructors and facilities that I had plenty of suggestions for them. In your case Colin was exceedingly clever in working out what would be appropriate for me and then delivering it in such a clear way over the four hours. Quite brilliant. I certainly drove the 599 away from Millbrook with so much more confidence, control and understanding."

"Colin has an amazing talent and feel for driving and mechanical know how, but more importantly, he has an equally amazing egoless ability to convey and teach those skills to others. No matter what the skill level one is at, Colin can coach and facilitate the achievement of greater results. The entire experience, from start to finish is top class and tailored to the individual. I’ve yet to encounter better in any area"

"A day of one-to-one tuition certainly isn't cheap but for me it was well worth it"

"It was a very enjoyable and informative day. Colin is a very experienced instructor who doesn't blind you with science"

"The level of thought given by Colin and his team to the mechanics of driving is extraordinary. Simple stuff that genuinely changes the way you view each part of driving a car and how you can better predict a car's behaviour"

"Excellent course format and trainer"

"Thanks to Colin who taught me a lot - great person and instructor"

"The whole day really was worth at least twice what we paid for it, and the instructors genuinely seemed to enjoy it too"

"What can I say, fantastic, you banished my Nurburgring demons"

"Colin and his colleagues seem to quickly ascertain what level of ability you have. They apply the right amount on demand on your driving according to ability. He quickly had me pushing on my own levels of ability and gave me confidence to drive faster, but all the time I felt totally confident in what he was asking me to do."

"Colin not only showed me what the car can do but also instructed me in how to get the best out of the car while being in total control never compromising safety"

"Excellent instruction - a lot of very effective points to improve technique"

"Good example of teaching to follow myself"

"As we went around the track I thought "I’ll never do this" but I was delighted to find that with his excellent tuition, I could actually do it (to a degree) - very exciting"

"Good teaching methods: always building progressively on skills and taking learning forward. If I did make an error then this was turned into a positive learning experience. Overall a brilliant day - great fun and I’m a safer and smoother driver too"

"There’s a difference between being pushed and being stretched. At no point have I felt pushed"

"It is difficult for anyone to admit that they aren’t really a good driver. Colin took away that hurdle at the very start of the day with his confident ability and unique personality and I cannot thank him enough for the experience and the natural change that has occurred in my driving ability"

2: Training Difference

You'll Learn More in Two Minutes with CAT than in a Whole Day Elsewhere

Our programmes and courses have raised the standard in driver training in the UK, and we now set the bar for others in the industry. We are unique in the delivery of this training and in the approach we take: The whole focus is on vehicle dynamics and the effect that you have as the driver of the car. It tests both the car and you as the driver - and you can use your own car or one of ours.

Enjoy a Wholly Positive Learning Experience

We take good care of you - from the moment you book. Through our training programmes you can progress from a learner to a racing driver - it simply depends where you want your knowledge and ability to take you. There is so much to learn! Whatever your starting point, it's a journey that opens your eyes to what you and your car are capable of - and you greatly increase your enjoyment of driving as a result. It's a learning experience like no other - highly enjoyable, motivating and beneficial. Guaranteed! Most of all though, it's great fun.

Understand What the Car is Doing Underneath You

When you took your original driving test, you weren't actually taught to drive. Instead, you were taught how to use mechanical car components to make your vehicle move. You were also taught best practice for carrying out everyday manoeuvres - but none of that actually helps you to understand how a vehicle works in relation to the way you drive it. With CAT you learn and understand how to get the best out of your car.

Learn Faster with Bespoke Training You Can Understand and Apply NOW

Understanding tyres, suspension, steering and brakes is key, and we deliver all these topics in an easy-to-understand way - to suit you. A racing driver will need and want different levels of information to a new driver, but the core messages and understanding are still the same. All our courses are tailored for what you need to learn - and you can apply your new skills straight away when you're back out on the road. It's all about solid training, not glitz.

Cut Your Costs

The financial benefits of good driver training are significant. Fewer insurance claims and more economical use of fuel are just two savings. However, the biggest potential cost when you are driving is the risk to your life. Good driver training saves lives - and our training programmes can also protect companies from the risk of corporate manslaughter claims.

Enjoy 100% Action 100% of the Time

You spend your time driving and learning, not watching. It means you gain an in-depth experience and you learn more than you ever thought there was to know! Choose from weekend, full-day or half-day courses. We have our own high-performance track-prepared vehicles and we select them carefully to give you knowledge and experience of different drive configurations. Through CAT you have access to an awesome venue at Millbrook Proving Ground. It's not open to the public and so everything is confidential and your discretion is assured. (It's also a fantastic playground for petrol heads!)

Tap into Expert Guidance

Our teaching is based on real-life experience, not text book learning. Your friendly instructors have been working on race cars and suspension set-ups for at least 25 years and, just as importantly, they know how to teach and translate their experience so that it hits the mark for you personally. They can clearly explain and demonstrate why a car behaves and performs as it does. Chief instructor, Colin Hoad, has over 30 years' experience in motorsport and motor engineering, and his understanding of vehicle mechanics and performance is second to none. He knows that you learn best when the training is hands-on - and that's exactly what a course at CAT Driver Training is all about. It's not about what Colin and his team can do - it's about what you can do.

"Clear, scientifically based and obviously from experience"

"Serious issues re handling a car but fun too"

"The tuition was focused on my abilities and directed to where my driving could improve"

"Top day out, learnt loads, especially for a novice like myself."

"I have had the most enjoyable couple of days. Has been brilliant fun and still educational. Very friendly instructors and staff"

"Every exercise teaches something new and is very valuable

"Very useful driving skills, excellent. Calm, clear, made me feel at ease. Great facilities."

"Despite my having 20 years of driving experience under my belt, the first half of the day on public roads and motorways turned out to be extremely valuable - plenty of great learning points to be had. You think you’re a good driver and then you realise how much better you could be after Colins coaching - brilliant! It’s already making a big difference to my day to day driving"

"The training from CAT came in very useful indeed - I found that I was a whole lot more confident behind the wheel, by virtue of actually having some understanding what the car was doing"

"We got through a lot in just 3 hours"

"After 1 hour of teaching I could clearly see that Colin teaches in a very different way to most other instructors. I guess this is the consequence of a very broad background rather than just performance driving..... they look at things from a different perspective and emphasize key techniques that are not even mentioned on some other courses. Courses ... were more or less what I wanted to learn, rather than sticking with a pre-made programme. All in all I was very impressed. I did a number of training activities in the past starting from full BMW courses and similar, 1 - 1 training with some famous instructors and 4 days training at Silverstone drive academy. In my honest opinion CAT beats them all."

"I’ve never been on any track before and what an experience - I’m still grinning"

"Your instructor gradually builds up on what you learn and adds extra tasks for you to complete using your new found technique"

"The word training for me means boring boring boring and that I have to listen for hours and take everything that is said to me in, when I could be doing something much more interesting. Well this training is fun fun fun and in a lot of parts totally exhilarating. I never knew I could do what I did yesterday"

"Colin’s knowledge of mechanics and handling is extensive. Not being a mechanic or professional driver myself Colin always impresses me in the way he explains things in a very understandable and simple manner"

"The instruction was much more beneficial than perhaps a racing track. The one to one driver/instructor experience for the whole day really does "drive" the knowledge into your brain. The different tracks and the gradual build up of skills creeps up on you, so you suddenly find yourself driving almost as good as Colin!"

"If you go to learn and you listen they will teach you a lot.... Another training company I was with were great at instructing you what to do but CAT tell you why - it gets technical in places but Millbrook proves the effects on the car to help you follow the science behind it"

3: The Benefits

The Benefits

"The day was truly amazing! I learnt more in one day than I have in 20 years of driving"

"I have been very nervous in/of the car and struggling to get to grips with characteristics. I am amazed how much more confidence I had driving home from this day compared to the drive down"

"How much speed can be carried through a corner safely"

"Eye opening isn't the word! The skills picked up on this course alone have already translated onto the road. I find my reactions are much better as my understanding of the car and it's limits are so much better now"

"The day was packed with adrenalin fueled fun, invaluable driving tuition, factual information and nail biting competition. Overall a fantastic experience"

"Less haste, more thinking = faster"

"It’s amazing to be able to learn so much after so many years driving. I am much happier with my car and the day really boosted my confidence"

"I found the day very informative and perfectly presented – first class. Even from the drive home I have started to apply knowledge gained into my day to day driving."

"I do feel that I have improved my driving skills enormously having got into bad habits. My passengers say they notice the difference. It was thoroughly good fun"

"The day surpassed all of my expectations. We came away buzzing from the experience. Absolutely ace"

"Many thanks for giving Glen the experience of a lifetime - he was well made up - he rang all his mates last night to tell them what he had done! Its been a great confidence booster for him and he will never forget Millbrook"

"The journey to work this morning was a lot more interesting as I started thinking about single steering inputs and controlling the throttle as I pootled round the bends and roundabouts in Edinburgh"

"I enjoy driving again, I feel more in control and generally a better and safer driver"

"Thanks for a great day, will practice eagerly. I learnt some very valuable skills: safety, smoothness, skills for life"

"His instruction and vast knowledge of driving techniques on the highway helped me brush up on my own driving skills and identify the little risk habits that have crept into my driving, so number 1, I am a safer driver on the road. Also through his racing, track and mech/tech knowledge that he has on and in cars and their handling and his ability to put this across in digestible understandable bite size bits, helped me understand my car and my abilities - my drive home was the best drive I have had"

"During my driver training development, Colin demonstrated some very rare qualities as a driver trainer, he has a very relaxed approach, whereby you immediately feel relaxed in the car. His knowledge of road and track craft is extensive which he readily shares in a very easy to understand practical way. Since my driver training with Colin my road behaviour, observation and forward thinking have helped myself to become a better driver. Whilst realising there is still a lot to learn, Colin is my natural first choice for further driver training"

"He managed to get me and my car doing things that I always wanted to do but didn’t have the knowledge ability or confidence to do"

"I am now a better safer more confident driver."

"My driving through the day improved so much. This is something you all have to do"

"This was a fantastic day. We all learnt a lot. If I employ the things I learnt on track I will be a lot quicker, no question"

"If you want to improve your driving - this is the place to do it. I am highly impressed and highly recommend it to you. You will be impressed as well"

"I learnt a lot and already feel that my perception on the road has improved considerably."

"One of the most enjoyable days I have had"

"I had great fun and have come away with the ability to be much safer on the road - especially with reading the road and assessing risk factors"

"Anyone thinking about spending thousands of pounds on modding their car could do a lot worse than investing in a CAT course - the best investment in your car is learning how to drive it well"

"Educational and entertaining."

"To temper my speed because I now understand how to make better progress without it!"

"Hi Colin, please find enclosed a picture of my first Legend race at Brands Hatch - a great experience. I would also like to thank you for a very enjoyable and informative 3 days driver training at Millbrook. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The sessions have made a marked improvement to my driving technique and knowledge of vehicle dynamics"

"Hello Colin, nice driving you delighted me with at the Lausitz Ring - it was a super lap around the speed way."

4: Our Clients

What Surprised Our Clients

The technology on offer in a modern car and what it really does"

Sighting corners further ahead - quite incredible"

How well organised the event was"

Importance of throttle to affect steering"

Subtlety delivers speed - relaxing gives control"

The depth of professionalism in the training"

How relevant 21 cones can be for track and road"

How much I learnt about braking"

How much I have learnt!"

Looking ahead"

25 years experience and finding things I didn't know"

It's easier than I thought!"

Learning the limits of my car in a safe professional environment"

As an Advanced Police Pursuit Driver of over 8 years experience I thought I had a pretty good understanding of driving technique and car mechanics. Only now do I realize I’m barely scraping the surface"

I got to do things I never thought I would do and push my driving further than I thought I could"

How good a modern car is"

What amazed me more than anything else was not how well the car gripped, or how well it broke etc., it was how little I knew about driving! I’ve been driving performance cars for 10 odd years now and onto my 4th Evo so naturally I presumed I could throw a car around - not the case at all! The knowledge that the instructors had was immense!"

How much technique can change driving style."

The speed I could carry safely through corners."

How much improvement could be had in one day"

That there is still so much to learn"

How well cars can handle."

The detail of instruction."

The balance of cars."

Fun with safety."

All of it"

5: Views On Millbrook

Your views on Millbrook

"What a fantastic facility! Doing understeer/oversteer training in front of the "5th Gear HQ" was quite surreal!"

"I was totally blown away by the place, one massive playground of adventure"

"Scale of venue / variety of activities"

"Great track and diversity. More than I had hoped for. Worth every penny"

"Short of snow on the Alpine Circuit - what more could you have?"

"Brilliant variety of roads - very interesting"

"Since the facility itself offers pretty much anything you can dream up, in my honest opinion it makes the perfect place for all sorts of needs"

"Secondly, Millbrook is a very interesting facility. It's designed to test cars, and it does that and unsurprisingly tests the drivers too. The lack of run-off on some of the circuits encourages you to be super accurate and smooth"

Mile Straight

"Threshold braking from 140mph without ABS kicking in was a revelation!"

"Flat out from a standing start until Nick told me to brake, an amazing feeling, gave real confidence in the Brembo's"

"High speed braking - approx. 155-160mph (I never knew I or the car could do it and survive!!!)"

"Forcing you to take it to just beyond the ABS cut in, and then learning to take it to just before, to get the most out of braking whilst still being in control"

High Speed Bowl

"I had dreamed about this moment I swear it has been a boyhood dream of mine"

"My favourite part of the day. Quick lane changing whilst keeping control at 30mph and 40mph"

Handling Circuit

"Utterly fabulous.... I want one in my back garden!"

"What can I say - that corner at the end of the small straight was amazing, to have the confidence to turn brake and then nail it blind over the crest when it all clicked was an amazing feeling"

"Bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing this one, deceptively flat, but with each corner designed to test you and your car in a different way. Personally I could probably spend the whole day here and still be learning something new by the end of it"

Alpine Route

"If only we could have kept driving until it was dark"

"A good mix of bends to practice the techniques learnt throughout the day"

"I can't believe that was made for lorries!"

6: ADI Training

ADI Training