Extreme Driving: Training for High-Risk Situations

Summary

In this article, we discuss the importance of driver training and vehicle preparation for extreme driving situations. We explore the similarities between rally racing and tactical driving, and how the Team O’Neill Rally School trains individuals for high-risk environments overseas. Defensive and offensive driving skills, including the pit maneuver and backing up at high speeds, are taught to provide individuals with the necessary skills to handle dangerous situations. The article also includes a checklist for inspecting unfamiliar vehicles and stresses the importance of adjusting mirrors and becoming familiar with the vehicle before driving.

Similarities between Rally Racing and Tactical Driving
Defensive and Offensive Driving Skills
The Importance of Driver Training and Vehicle Preparation
The Subaru WR

Similarities between Rally Racing and Tactical Driving

Wyatt Knox, the Special Projects Director at the Team O’Neill Rally School, explains that rally racing and tactical driving are similar in that they both require excellent car control to handle the vehicle safely and respond to potential issues. The Rally School trains individuals from the United States and friendly governments, including special operations personnel who operate in dangerous environments.

Defensive and Offensive Driving Skills

The Rally School teaches a variety of defensive and offensive driving skills to provide individuals with the necessary skills to handle dangerous situations. The pit maneuver, a police pursuit technique used to stop a vehicle by causing it to spin out without causing too much damage to the police vehicle, is taught. It is considered a use of deadly force in America and is only used if the suspect has committed a serious crime. Backing up at high speeds is also taught as a useful skill in urban environments. If the driver becomes incapacitated, the passenger should practice the driver down routine to safely stop the vehicle.

The Importance of Driver Training and Vehicle Preparation

The author explains the driver down drill, where the passenger takes control of the vehicle, and emphasizes the need to be able to operate a vehicle with only one foot and hand. The author also suggests disabling ABS and traction control for better performance in slippery conditions. A checklist for inspecting unfamiliar vehicles is included, focusing on tire condition and pressure. The author stresses the importance of adjusting mirrors and becoming familiar with the vehicle before driving.

The Subaru WR

The article concludes with a description of the Subaru WR, an all-wheel drive turbocharged car that will be used for driving exercises at a rally school. The car’s features, including its front and rear limited-slip differentials and symmetrical all-wheel drive, make it an ideal vehicle for extreme driving situations.

Conclusion

Driver training and vehicle preparation are crucial for handling extreme driving situations safely. The Team O’Neill Rally School provides individuals with defensive and offensive driving skills, as well as the necessary knowledge to inspect unfamiliar vehicles and become familiar with their own vehicle. The Subaru WR is an excellent example of a vehicle that is well-suited for extreme driving situations.