A b o u t S C
SKIDCAR System:
Developed in Sweden in the 1980s, the SKIDCAR SYSTEM® is the most effective driving training program ever created. Unlike other programs, which merely simulate experiences to develop a driver's motor skills, The SKIDCAR SYSTEM allows drivers to experience real-life car control issues, and teaches them techniques that help them maintain control.
© Skid Control Inc. 2014. All rights reserved.
Why SKIDCAR?
With more and more public safety agencies facing tighter budgets, SKIDCAR is an excellent cost-effective way to provide essential training. Maintenance is low, with minimal wear and tear on a vehicle. Plus, there's no need to maintain special driving ranges or skidpans. The only need is a suitable paved area.
In a SKIDCAR, drivers experience hazardous road conditions at
much lower speeds. Because of the safety factor, there's virtually
no risk of injury or resultant medical cost.
In today's legal environment, it's more important than ever to properly train your staff for the hazardous driving conditions that come with a job. The SKIDCAR SYSTEM is simply the safest, most effective way to provide this training.
1. What is a SKIDCAR™?
A SKIDCAR is an electro- hydraulic wheeled steel framework attached to the suspension of a vehicle for driver training purposes. Through the use of an instructor operated electronic controller, the SKIDCAR can be adjusted to simulate speed and G-Force that can make a vehicle unstable and cause it to lose grip. Realistic driving dynamics can be experienced at a very low speed, within a small paved area and in complete safety.
2. How does it work?
Through a multi-featured electronic controller, the grip can be adjusted from full grip to zero grip on both the front and rear tires independently from inside the vehicle.
3. What makes the SKIDCAR different than other skidding devices?
The SKIDCAR is different from other skidding devices in the industry because of its ability to be adjusted to multiple front and rear grip settings. The adjustment of a controller with memorized settings can be easily used to change the grip of the vehicle to copy the handling characteristics of any vehicle. Front wheel skids (under steer) and rear wheel skids (oversteer) are easily programmed into the vehicle’s driving dynamics with the simple push of a button. The vehicle can be adjusted from full grip on a dry street, to the feel of an icy roadway in moments. You can fine-tune settings to replicate a Police car with too much gear in the trunk, then adjust for the feel of driving a pickup truck with no weight in the back in a matter of seconds.
4. Doesn’t the SKIDCAR ride too much like a go-kart?
The SKIDCAR is attached to the SUSPENSION of the host vehicle. Mounting the frame in this way keeps the vehicle active and its own suspension working on top of the SKIDCAR SYSTEM. The SKIDCAR manufacturing incorporates flex into the steel of the frame and outrigger system. Along with flexible isolation mounts and deflection of the tires, all elements perform in concert to give the most realistic driving dynamic. Working with the movement of the attached vehicle, lateral and longitudinal weight distribution is maintained so proper driving dynamics can be reproduced. Once behind the wheel, the outriggers disappear from the driver’s sight lines and most times the driver is unaware there is anything under the car at all.
5. Why a SKIDCAR instead of a Simulator?
The SKIDCAR gives a more realistic behind the wheel experience. Even in its most slippery settings, the SKIDCAR allows the driver to experience real dynamics, real emotion, and real physical response. The Instructor builds a bridge between cognitive information and the physical validation of a more realistic and “non gamer” driving experience.
Cost is a major factor as well, as the price of a simulator is typically several times higher than the initial SKIDCAR cost or maintenance. This lower monetary investment also comes with the reassurance of knowing that the SKIDCAR training capabilities will be relevant for years to come, unlike simulators whose technology must be updated frequently at high expense.
6. What do you mean “It’s about Grip, Not Slip®”?
At SKIDCAR we believe that the driver needs good information to maintain control of their vehicle. Understanding grip is a priority to understanding and maintaining skill levels to control skids after they have been made or occur. Every car in the USA today is designed from the factory to allow the front wheels to skid first. The rear wheels sliding or skidding is great fun, easy to train and gets all the attention. But the skid that kills is the front wheel skid (understeer). Its recuperation is entirely technical and not much fun. However, front wheel skids poorly acted upon cause the rear wheels skids that most drivers recognize, making them vitally important to recognize and avoid.
With the incorporation of Electronic Stability Controls in most new Cars, Trucks and SUVs, controlling a skid will be left up to the ESC. The actual physics of slip (while nice to know) are not as critical to drivers today. The technologies of anti-lock brakes and ESC can correct errors faster and more accurately than the driver himself. Therefore, driver training courses and exercises should address strategies of managing and maintaining grip. Skids, slides, and small losses of grip are viable methods of inculcating the results of being technically correct (or incorrect) with regard to grip and safe driving. Less importance is relegated to sliding once the skid has started.
7. Is a SKIDCAR SAFE?
The SKIDCAR’s electronic controls, operated by a trained SKIDCAR Instructor, offer multiple “safe” buttons. While other training devices may effectively produce a skid, control of the vehicle cannot be regained by the student or the instructor if an emergency develops. In contrast, the SKIDCAR is totally controlled throughout the lesson. Full grip levels can be regained almost instantly, and the chances of the vehicle overturning are next to none. This feature removes the risk of injury and allows SKIDCAR the flexibility to be used in a variety of areas.
Every usable training area has a SAFE SPEED THRESHOLD which the SKIDCAR can be adjusted to for safety. In this manner, the vehicle can duplicate various speed and traction conditions while traveling between just six and 25 miles per hour. This lends the SKIDCAR to an array of user-friendly environments including multiple use areas such as skill pads, skid pads, parking lots, or airport runways to name a few.
8. How big of an area does the SKIDCAR need to be used in?
A space of 175’ X 500’ is ideal. But since this size of an area is not always available, many other paved areas can be used. Narrow airport runways, odd shaped lots, areas with broken pavement, frost heaves and pot holes can be utilized successfully. Paved areas with elevation changes can be used, and wonderfully challenging courses can be built to suit the personality of the imperfect pavement. Of course the ride quality may be compromised and it is helpful to work around the rough areas if possible.
SKIDCAR FAQ
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