Skid Pan Experience & Training Course

Improve driving with RED’s skid pan experience

A skid pan driving experience is a driving session designed to teach drivers how to handle a vehicle in slippery or low-traction conditions, such as on wet or icy roads.

RED’s uniquely enjoyable skid pan experience teaches valuable driving skills in a risk-free environment. RED’s track surface is treated to replicate challenging road conditions in a safe, controlled environment, and we’re confident drivers will leave Donington Park a better, safer road user.

Following a short safety briefing, participants will venture to our skid pan area for the practical section of the skid pan experience. The students will understand what makes a car skid and experience the feeling of losing control of a car on ice and water. Most importantly, the driver will learn how to react quickly to get back in control.

What happens during skid pan training?

On arrival

On arrival at Donington Park, participants will be greeted by our Skid Pan driving instructors and asked to sign an indemnity form to highlight RED’s terms and conditions and allow them to have a full understanding of the Skid Pan Experience. Training sessions could be shared with two other drivers/learners, taking turns to drive.

If certain assistance is required – for example, for people who are hard of hearing – or the attendee is a learner with a provisional licence, please contact the RED team before the day of the Skid Experience. The team can answer any questions or concerns and advise the driving instructors on the day.

Safety and theor

The skid pan driving experience will commence with a safety and theory briefing about how and why a car skids. This will cover the 4 common causes of a skid:

• Weather conditions such as icy or wet road surfaces
• Worn or faulty tyres and brakes
• Poor road conditions
• Abrupt actions like sudden braking, turning or excessive speed

This safety section, before getting out onto the track, provides each participant with an understanding to make the in-car experience more valuable.

Practical training

After transferring to the skid car area, the practical sessions consist of up to 1 ½ hours in the car, learning from both the driver’s seat and the passenger seat, under the watchful eyes of our experienced skid trainers.

Drivers practice managing the following under the guidance of professional instructors:

• Skids – A loss of traction between the tires and the road, often causing the vehicle to slide uncontrollably. This can happen due to sudden braking, accelerating, or sharp turning on slippery surfaces.
• Understeer – A situation where the front wheels lose traction, causing the vehicle to continue straight despite turning the steering wheel. This typically occurs when taking a corner too quickly.
• Oversteer -A condition where the rear wheels lose traction, causing the back of the vehicle to swing out and the vehicle to turn more sharply than intended. It often happens during high-speed turns or on slippery roads.
• Emergency manoeuvres – Quick and decisive actions taken by a driver to avoid an immediate hazard, such as sudden swerving, braking, or accelerating to prevent a collision.

Our booking process

Buy a skid pan experience voucher by calling the RED team or by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button to buy online. We’ll then send an e-voucher and booking information to you or directly to the recipient. Please note, buying an e-voucher online does not secure the skid pan experience – yourself or the participant can call the team to book the day and time.

The voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and the experience must be booked before the expiry date.