40 years ago today, I started my journey to become the best high performance driving instructor.
And what a journey it’s been. It took my life over.
My gripping motivation was to follow my passion for cars, driving and being the best I could be behind the wheel. Training the worlds best drivers globally whilst gaining every qualification known to man, practically and academically. And then some.
Without drive and passion, you never reach your goals. You leave behind those important ambitions. You stall. Many give up. They accept second best. I didn’t.
I kept pushing, learning, working hard at being the best I could be.
Getting there meant 7 days a week being the normal.
Studying academically – practising road driving and proving ground exercises and techniques to learn and perfect new advanced car control rudiments so they became second nature. It becomes a way of life. I spent years doing these things.
I have worked with some amazing people and trained manufacturers test drivers, racing drivers, rally drivers (loose surfaces), chauffeurs including security manoeuvres, fleet and commercial drivers and in my early days, young drivers.
The whole spectrum. Leaving no stone unturned as that is my nature.
This enhanced my experiences and expertise in nearly every facet of driver training.
No matter what the client required, their expectations could be met.
We ran many car launches and significant driving events for the world’s leading car makers in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.
Over the years I have come to one main conclusion which remains true today as it did 40 years ago!
“The biggest mistake that drivers make, is thinking that driving isn’t dangerous”.
It’s been a great career and I want to thank you all for a wonderful ride.
Here’s to the next decade of making more drivers safer behind the wheel.
Bring it on. Paul Ripley
