Tracktime Driving Academy – Advanced Driver Training Program
The official Tracktime Driving Academy driver training program supports employers with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Company Overview
Tracktime Driving Academy is a product of over 20 years of experience, with Mike Eady among other instructors.
At Tracktime we provide industry-leading and comprehensive driver training. Our instructors are fully qualified and we have an impressive and extensive record of credentials.
Mike Eady established the academy with his passion as well as both in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical driving experience. Click here to read about Mike’s instructor qualifications, gained in Munich in 2006.
For lucky Kiwi drivers, that means you receive driver training from one of the best in the business!
TrackTime Driving Academy is run by New Zealand’s most qualified driver training team, with chief instructor Mike Eady at the helm. The company has 20+ years’ experience and a rich history of involvement in driver education.
Tracktime runs the official Tracktime Driving Academy program to support employers with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
TrackTime Driving Academy aims to give participants an active and dynamic drive experience that provides driving education in a controlled and safe environment. Our courses teach you to appreciate and understand the limits of technology and driving skill.
At the same time, our training allows you to assess and overcome potential hazards, in particular by avoiding such risks from the start.
It is only with this basic knowledge of safety-related principles and the laws of driving dynamics that you can really understand and appreciate the actual situations you will experience on the road and in training.
Getting their driver’s licence is the last driver training most people do. However, many companies employing professional drivers, or with staff who drive as part of their jobs, know the huge value of ongoing driver training.
Increasing traffic volumes and long hours behind the wheel mean that accidents are inevitable for sales reps and company drivers. TrackTime’s job is to decrease the number and seriousness of those incidents.
Our own statistics show that those who have undergone our driver training courses not only have fewer accidents, but any that do occur are likely to be less severe. Non-trained drivers are not only involved in a greater number of collisions, but the damage to their vehicles is much more costly.
Our Aim
Imagine a world with zero-harm on our roads and where vehicle accidents became a thing of the past!
Advanced safety technologies are helping us realise this vision with intelligent systems designed to reduce the risks of accidents by maximising the range of conditions on which a vehicle can be safely operated.
These technologies perform at their best when paired with safe driving practices and good decision-making to assist drivers in recognising potential hazards and minimising the severity of accidents when they are unavoidable.
The Tracktime Driving Academy is a practical and engaging learning program designed to enhance driver confidence and capability through high quality instruction and the opportunity to experience leading-edge vehicle technologies in a safe controlled environment.
KEY POINTS
- Drive your own car and understand its capabilities, or drive one of our new-generation Mazdas (selected venues).
- Easy on cars.
- Develop your car control.
- Be safer in slippery conditions.
- Learn skid recovery.
- Better understanding of defensive driving principals.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
“I thought it was a great day. Mike, the instructor, was awesome – really relaxed but professional, and so much nicer as an instructor than a previous experience with [name of other company redacted]
. He made all the difference to the day. Plus the course at Hampton Downs was awesome.”
Fiona Nelson
Video: Tracktime Driving Academy
Transcript:
I’ve been a racing driver for over 30 years and I’ve competed in events all around the world. But some of the most dangerous driving I’ve experienced is on highways and suburban streets right around New Zealand.
Each year 13,000 Kiwis are injured on New Zealand roads and over 350 people are killed.
That’s why I started Tracktime.
I’ve teamed up with Mazda New Zealand to deliver professional driver training programmes to New Zealanders.
Our courses are designed to give people a better chance to get home safely every day.
With Tracktime, you’ll enjoy both classroom coaching and practical time behind the wheel. We can tailor make our instruction to suit your needs. And you can drive your own vehicle or one of the Mazdas from our fleet.
For your safety, and safety of others on the road, please contact Tracktime. Let me and my experienced team of trainers help you become a better driver.
Driver Training
Getting their driver’s licence is the last driver training most people do. However, many companies employing professional drivers, or with staff who drive as part of their jobs, know the huge value of ongoing driver training. Increasing traffic volumes and long hours behind the wheel mean that accidents are inevitable for sales reps and company drivers. Tracktime’s job is to decrease the seriousness of those incidents. Tracktime’s own statistics show that those who have undergone its driver training courses not only have fewer accidents, but any that do occur are likely to be little more than small reversing nudges which cost their companies virtually nothing. Non-trained drivers are not only involved in a greater number of collisions, but the damage to their vehicles is much more costly.
Analysis shows that untrained drivers cost twice as much!
An analysis of accident claims by employees of a large New Zealand corporation shows that repair bills for untrained drivers cost 108% more than drivers who have been through a 4-hour Tracktime training course.
The average accident claim for the company’s trained drivers was $831 with 89% being little more than small dings resulting in only minor scrapes and scratches for the vehicles involved.
The average accident claim for the company’s untrained drivers was $1,727 – a whopping 108% higher. That’s over double the cost! Even worse, 33% were serious accidents.
CONCLUSION: Trained drivers have fewer collisions, causing less damage and resulting in fewer insurance claims for their companies.
Driver training is also important because of the many recent advances in automotive technology. A car with ABS brakes, for instance, is driven in a completely different manner to one without this safety feature.
Benefits
- Health and safety obligations: Our courses help you cover your health and safety obligations. Vehicles are a place or work and as an employer you are required to identify and mitigate risks associated with this.
- Reset bad driving habits: Some bad driving habits have become normalised. Training reminds us that these habits increase risk, and helps us to break these habits.
- Maximise the benefits of safety technology: TrackTime training teaches how to maximise these safety features so that risk is reduced.
- Reduce vehicle downtime: Fewer accidents means that your vehicles are on the road more consistently.
- Lower vehicle maintenance costs: Safer, more economical driving means less wear and tear on your vehicles.
- Reduce lost opportunities: The impact of vehicle downtime can mean missing delivery deadlines or important meetings, costing your company money.
- Reduce fines: We forget important road rules from the Road Code over time and training refreshes those rules, helping us to avoid fines.
- Save fuel: Awareness of which driving habits cause excessive fuel use is the first step to reducing fuel use. Savings of up to 30% can be achieved by changing driving style.
- Explain and clarify your policies: Ensures all drivers know your expectations and policies around mobile phone use, drug and alcohol use and safe driving.
- Foster a sense of excellence in your team: Aiming to have a zero-accidents fleet gives your drivers a sense of pride and purpose.
- Happier drivers: Awareness of what makes a good driver (which includes the driver’s attitude), plus how to use the vehicle in the most ergonomic way to reduce fatigue and pain, results in happier drivers who are less likely to suffer stress and discomfort at the wheel.
What Does The Course Include?
While elements may be varied to suit an individual or organisation, the core program offers a comprehensive one-day training module.
STAGE 1
The day starts at 9:30 AM, with a mix of 20% theoretical instruction and 80% practical skills application across a wide curriculum from hazard recognition, defensive driving and accident avoidance to vehicle maintenance.
Participants receive interactive feedback throughout the session with a full competency assessment provided at the conclusion of the program with a certificate of completion at approximately 3:30 PM. Detailed reporting and evaluation is made available to employers, as required for their workplace safety governance.
STAGE 2
The Stage 2 course is designed for participants who have already completed the Stage 1 course.
The days starts at 9:00 AM with a refresher of subjects covered in Stage 1. The day then proceeds with a greater emphasis on practical skills including new exercises such as lapping with cornering lines, slalom and vehicle dynamics.
As with the Stage 1 course, participants receive interactive feedback throughout the session with a full competency assessment provided at the conclusion of the program with a certificate of completion at approximately 4:00 PM. Detailed reporting and evaluation is made available to employers, as required for their workplace safety governance.
Please note that all courses are only open to drivers with a valid full or restricted New Zealand Licence.
Additional Driver Training Courses Available By Request
- 4WD & off-road training (available at selected venues).
- Snow & ice training (available at selected venues).
- Wet weather/skid pan training (available at selected venues).
- Corporate training days and events (we can tailor courses to suit the specific needs of your company and the type of terrain your staff are required to drive on).
- Trailer reversing training.
What Our Participants Walk Away With
Participants receive a certificate of attendance, showing that they have completed our Stage 1 or Stage 2 driver training course. Employers receive a feedback form showing the scores their employees have achieved based on eight main driving skills. Tracktime Driving Academy teaches participants to appreciate and understand the limits of technology and defensive driving skills. At the same time, it allows them to assess and overcome potential hazards, in particular by avoiding such risks from the start. It is only with this basic knowledge of safety-related principles and the laws of driving dynamics that you can really understand and appreciate the actual situations you will experience on the road and in training.Testimonials
Health & Safety
The Health and Safety of not our instructors and our course participants is of the utmost importance to us.
Tracktime has a comprehensive Health & Safety policy as outlined below:
- Course participants are briefed on safety issues and fully supervised by our instructors at all times.
- Course participants are thoroughly briefed on safe practices during the practical part of the day.
- Venues are fully inspected by Tracktime instructors on the day to ensure the safety and usability of the venue.
- First aid kits to minimum requirements are available at all times.
- Tracktime instructors all hold a current First Aid Certificate.
- Tracktime instructors are in radio contact with each other at all times.
Venues
- Whangarei – Semenoff Stadium
- Auckland – Pukekohe Park Raceway
- Auckland – Hampton Downs (main venue)
- Tauranga – Bay Park Speedway
- Taupo – Centennial Park Raceway
- Palmerston North / Fielding – Manfield Autocourse
- Christchurch – Ruapuna Park Raceway
- Timaru – Levels Raceway
- Invercargill – Teretonga Park Raceway
Other venues are available upon request.
Our Vehicle Fleet
Tracktime has committed to a dedicated fleet of new-generation Mazda vehicles. These vehicles are available for hire at Hampton Downs venue.
Tracktime Driving Academy operates throughout New Zealand with one-day training programs delivering high-quality instruction and maximum time spent applying practical skills.
