A new Driving Skills Academy at the world-class Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone, Northamptonshire aims to boost the confidence of young drivers by allowing them to take to the tracks in their own car and hone their skills behind the wheel.

Co-hosted by TV presenter and journalist Vicki Butler-Henderson and supported by Red Bull Racing F1 driver, Mark Webber, the course builds on the principles of driving safety and driving enjoyment by providing a formal, yet fun, environment for new road users to have the opportunity to understand how engine performance and chassis dynamics affects their car’s handling as well as the influence the driver’s actions have.

Priced at £165, the Driving Skills Academy courses take place on Saturdays, starting from August 22nd. The day is structured around four modules; Practical, which looks at understanding your car’s handling characteristics on the unique low friction surfaces; Theory, which studies the principles of advanced driving techniques with a leading driving expert; Human Performance, offering an opportunity to test your reaction speed and vision in the state-of the-art sports science laboratory; and Assessment, where you drive a Porsche 911 around the Handling Circuit alongside a Driving Consultant.

“I love being behind the wheel and want everyone to enjoy driving as much as I do,” said Vicki Butler-Henderson. “From my TV work on Fifth Gear, and having raced since I was 12 years old, I know how much fun it is to drive on a circuit. It’s so rewarding to understand and feel how a car handles, how to control a skid and how to be aware of hazards.”

“Away from the track, those same skills allow me to enjoy every journey I make, and give me the assurance to know my own limits and those of my car. The Driving Academy at the Porsche Experience Centre is the perfect place for new and old drivers to learn more – and help increase their enjoyment, which to me is key.”

For a young driver taking their first tentative miles on the road, the variety of distractions and potential hazards can be bewildering. Having confidence in your own ability and that of your car is key to tackling modern traffic situations successfully. This is particularly true in bad weather, when road grip can be reduced significantly due to standing water, black ice or snow.

The Driving Academy course provides participants with a unique opportunity to gain a sound knowledge of the principles of car control around the specially designed test tracks, plus tips on how to avoid potential road hazards in advance and thus deal with them more efficiently – or better still, avoid them completely. And the fact that this experience culminates in an opportunity to drive a 911 Carrera around the Handling Circuit makes learning fun!

For further information, please contact the Porsche Experience Centre on 08443 577 911 or e-mail drivingexperience@porsche.co.uk or visit www.porsche.co.uk/experience.

Built adjacent to the famous grand prix track, the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone offers a variety of circuit configurations and surfaces. With a total length of 3.1km, the track has been designed to allow it to be split into four separate areas that can be used independently of each other or connected together to form a longer handling circuit. This environment allows visitors to be instructed through a variety of different situations in wet and dry conditions, as well as simulating ice and snow driving with the use of specially constructed surfaces. The variety of track environments also encompasses a challenging off-road course.

The Porsche Experience Centre houses reception and display areas, a restaurant, cinema and the innovative Human Performance department. This leading edge sports laboratory is run by a team of sports scientists and is accessible to both road and racing drivers. Ordinarily, this type of facility would only be accessible to elite athletes. One-to-one instruction spans fitness assessments and guidance in techniques aimed at improving stamina, co-ordination and reaction times for drivers of all levels.