How to Drive: Real World Instruction and Advice from Hollywood's Top Driver

by Ben Collins

Overview

Here's the ultimate guide to being the best—and safest—driver possible. And an absolute must for everyone with a learner's permit. Former Top Gear Stig and professional driver Ben Collins shares expert skills culled from a twenty year career as one of the best drivers in the world, famous for racing in the Le Mans series and NASCAR, piloting the Batmobile, and dodging bullets with James Bond. Refined over thousands of hours of elite-level performance in the physics of driving, his philosophy results in greater control and safer, more efficient and fun driving for all skill levels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452145297
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	639,834
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ben Collins has competed in motor racing since 1994, and his company Collins Autosport provides precision and stunt driving for film and television, including Top Gear, the James Bond films Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale, and Skyfall, and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. He lives in Bristol, England.

Table of Contents

Preface: How Not to Drive 6

Introduction: How to Drive 8

Part 1 A Very Short History of Driving

1.1 Roads Aren't Straightforward 14

1.2 Burning Rubber 19

1.3 Road Rage 21

1.4 The Driving Test 24

1.5 King of the Road 27

Part 2 The Basics

2.1 Are You Sitting Comfortably 32

2.2 The Beast 40

2.3 Smooth Operator 50

2.4 Shifting Gears 54

2.5 Steering 64

2.6 Braking 69

2.7 Curves: The Art of Turning a Corner 95

Part 3 The Open Rood

3.1 Avoiding .Accidents 120

3.2 Intersections 132

3.3 Passing 140

3.4 Multilane Highways 155

3.5 Freeways/Interstate Highways 156

3.6 In the Zone 174

3.7 Free Your Mind (and the Rest Will Follow) 179

3.8 Vision 186

3.9 Night Driving 192

3.10 Basic Instinct 196

3.11 Visualization: The Perfect Lap 201

Part 4 Skidding

4.1 The Limits of Grip 206

4.2 Driving in Wet Weather 215

4.3 Winter Driving 226

4.4 Worst-Case Scenarios 238

4.5 Stunt Driving 246

Epilogue: Drifting through London 272

Acknowledgments 276

Bibliography 276

Source Material 276

Image Credits 277

Index 277

Editorial Reviews

"Driving is a skill, people, not a talent, so we could all do with some 'real-world instruction and advice from Hollywood's top driver'."
-The Columbian

"Driving is a skill, people, not a talent, so we could all do with some 'real-world instruction and advice from Hollywood's top driver'."
-The Columbian

"Learn how to drive better and more safely not just in a sports car on a track, but in your daily driver with this excellent book from pro stunt and racecar driver Ben Collins, who has driven cars for the James Bond series, The Dark Knight Rises, and portrayed The Stig on Top Gear."
-The Awesomer

"Learn how to drive better and more safely not just in a sports car on a track, but in your daily driver with this excellent book from pro stunt and racecar driver Ben Collins, who has driven cars for the James Bond series, The Dark Knight Rises, and portrayed The Stig on Top Gear."
-The Awesomer

"You know how to drive, but if you really want to find out how to make the most of your time behind the wheel, we'd recommend consulting with former Top Gear Stig Ben Collins and his book, 'How to Drive: Real World Instruction and Advice from Hollywood's Top Driver.' Collins - a twenty year driving pro - has raced in the Le Mans series and on NASCAR tracks. He's also done stunt driving in plenty of films, including the recent James Bond releases. The advice doled out might not get you any of those gigs, but it's sure to make you one of the best - and safest - drivers on the road."
-Uncrate

"You know how to drive, but if you really want to find out how to make the most of your time behind the wheel, we'd recommend consulting with former Top Gear Stig Ben Collins and his book, 'How to Drive: Real World Instruction and Advice from Hollywood's Top Driver.' Collins - a twenty year driving pro - has raced in the Le Mans series and on NASCAR tracks. He's also done stunt driving in plenty of films, including the recent James Bond releases. The advice doled out might not get you any of those gigs, but it's sure to make you one of the best - and safest - drivers on the road."
-Uncrate

"offers smart tips and information on something we take for granted."
San Francisco Chronicle

"offers smart tips and information on something we take for granted."
San Francisco Chronicle

"This book should be a gift to teen drivers getting ready for their learner's permit. And it's an engaging read for anyone who wants to be a better driver - or as a gift from someone who thinks their someone could be a better driver."
- The San Diego Union-Tribune

"This book should be a gift to teen drivers getting ready for their learner's permit. And it's an engaging read for anyone who wants to be a better driver - or as a gift from someone who thinks their someone could be a better driver."
- The San Diego Union-Tribune

"Ben Collins helps us correct mistakes that even those of us with years of driving experience have been making. This book is a must read for any car enthusiast."
-Jay Leno

"Ben Collins helps us correct mistakes that even those of us with years of driving experience have been making. This book is a must read for any car enthusiast."
-Jay Leno

From the Publisher