Skid Control - Welcome!

Skid Control had been operating out of Goodwood, since the late winter of 1979. It was started up by Colin Wells who was already involved in motor sport.

The first car to be used was a Mk1 Escort, painted yellow and black. The fleet!! was added too in 1981 by a Ford Anglia 105E and an Austin Farina. Over the early years Vauxhall Viva's have also been used. However since 1984 Skid Control was using mainly Ford cars. In 2005, this run was halted when two BMW 5 Series were purchased to operate some dynamic courses at Dunsfold (Lady race driver courses), and then also 3 series at Goodwood, with Ford Sierras used prior to these.

Not only had Colin been running Skid Control since 1979 but he also worked for many vehicle manufacturers in track demonstration work and road 'Arrive & Drive' events, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Nissan, Volvo

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(helped launch the T5) and Honda to name but a few. Also in 1987 when the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS) was started in conjunction with, then, the RAC Motor Sports Association, now the MSA, Colin was employed on a freelance basis by the Peter Gethin Driving School as their senior instructor. He held an ARDS "S" grade instructors licence and as well as assessing people for their Nat "B" race licence he ran a one day (NVQ style) training and assessment course for people who wanted to become ARDS instructors (in association with Mithril Racing at Goodwood). The ARDS track licence for race driver assessments is now held by Mithril Racing, itself started in the 80's as a corporate event business.

Although Colin has not had an extensive racing career he has raced single seaters, sports cars & saloon cars periodically over the past 30+ years. The most exciting race car he has driven (sadly only giving hot laps, for three years, around the major UK circuits) was a Le Mans Porsche 962 race car. An experience not to be missed. However Aston Martin rank high in his list of the most favourite road car he has ever driven and demonstrated.

Other activities he (Colin) got involved in and ran alone or with his team as required:

Organising and running for two years the Guardian motor show. This involved setting up arrive and drive for the many cars provided and displayed by manufacturers and local sales outlets.

Helping the film crew shooting the track scenes for the film 'Dance with a Stranger'. The story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in he UK.

Assisting on track day and events organised by Goodwood for notable guests.

Working for Aston Martin at Gaydon and Millbrook. Training new owners and demonstrating the products.

Colin traveled all over the UK and to some European venues with manufacturers demonstrating their products

Below are some pictorial moments from the Skid Control archive and a few from Colin's own photo memories.

DURING THE 1980's

Although Skid Control had a slow start it was enthusiastically supported by IAM driving groups one of the first being the Chichester group. Very soon many other groups started to send down members:- Worthing, Brighton, IOW, Guildford, London, to name a few. Other activities and roles taken on by Skid Control and Colin were: Organising the marshals on circuit. Colin set up a small team of marshals who's expertise was sold through the circuit office. Other activities:- involvement with the film 'Dance with a Stranger' all the race sequences were shot at Goodwood and Colin supplied a number of extras and helped to co-ordinate and set up of the track scenes. He also ran the on site logistics and staff for the Guardian Newspaper motor shows run on two consecutive years. Plus organised the running of varies motor circuit charity days. He coordinated the Woodcote Motor Racing School, Sponsored by a local garage, with two ex-Willhire Capri's and a couple of FF1600 single seaters also a race prepared xr2 Fiesta Challenge car (quite a hot little number!). Colin demonstrated the new (then) DeLorean car by giving hot laps around Goodwood (this for City Garage in Chichester) These are just some of the things that kept the 80's an interesting period in Skid Control's development and kept Colin busy.

DURING THE 1990's to the new millennium

This was again a very busy decade for both Colin and Skid Control. The business really picked up with groups from businesses, social groups and individuals. Also Colin was heavily involved in circuit work with PGDC (racing school) and then Drive Safe. Demonstrating cars and training was a very large part of Colin's work for the major part of the 90's. With the reforming of Goodwood ready for the Revival meetings Skid Control remained in business and evolved with the new infrastructure moving into the new millennium with a very diverse customer base. Including Sussex Fire & Rescue, West Sussex NHS Trust Ambulance Service (now SECAMB), WSCC Young Driver Initiative, Dept for Transport, IAM Fleet, numerous IAM Groups and RoSPA better driving groups. Also, for a time until they moved out, providing dynamic training on location at Dunsfold for Formula Woman. He (Colin) also spent one year training Hendon Police driving instructors track craft -- gosh that was exciting!! fantastic drivers.

2006 onwards

Colin concentrates on the admin side of the business now. His team of trainers (as of 2011) Richard Haines, Kevin Crowley, Gavin House, Tony Stevens. All contribute to the continued and successful running of the practical side of the business.

October 2015

Sadly Goodwood has decided to change tact and the school (Skid Control) is not wants anymore on site. Goodwood have decided to run fun event structured sessions under sponsorship from BMW. This will involve drifting and circuit drives plus some off road activity.

January 2015 ---

Skid control has to change tact. From now on its primary role will be to deliver, through Colin a consultancy package. This will be on demand and structured to suit the clients needs

Skid control as a trading name may soon disappear but hopefully Colin will be able to use his many years of experience in the automotive world

Colin was also involved in the shooting of the race scenes for the film 'Dance with a Stranger' (Ruth Ellis story) but due to publicity rules at the time no photos available

Skid Control was still going strong into the 21st century and hopefully can now continue (circa 2014) to give first rate tuition at the consultancy level (see end story!)

Dept for Transport (Transec), West Sussex County Council, Goodwood Road Race Company Ltd, Fleet IAM (Chiswick)

BP & Shell (driver development), Mithril Racing, Sussex Fire & Rescue, Sussex NHS Ambulance service (SECAMB)

Many southern based IAM & RoSPA advanced driving groups, Single make and track day clubs

Driving schools & Fleet operators. As well as individual members of the public who travel to us from all parts of the UK and abroad

Skid Control was based at the Historic Goodwood Motor Circuit in Sussex since the winter of 1979 but has now had to close down and terminate its delivery of first class tuition. The Goodwood Road and Race Company, who administer the site, are no longer requiring this service. Skid Control had for 35 years been delivering much needed safe and professional training, all at reasonable cost. Its client base over these years has included the: Emergency services, council training schemes, adult education, IAM and RoSPA advance driving groups, fleet operators, driving schools and members of the driving public, to list a few.

.................Colin Wells who has run the business for many years will now be acting on a consultancy basis for companies and other schools who would like to have the benefit of his knowledge and experience, He will draw in other experienced trainers he has got to know over many years.


Colin giving another 'Hot ride' (the Le Mans Experience)	Birkett winner (team work)	Colin teaching client (Goodwood )

Taking an Aston up the hill 'Festival of Speed' Goodwood 1994 - Colin with passenger	Snow at Oulton Park no driving that day	Formula Ford @ Knockhill 1988


Dramatic under steer situation (front wheel skid)	The wet pan surface still going strong

BMW 3 Series outside the briefing hut	One of the trainers delivering a briefing


1979/80 the first operational winter	Aquaplaning (snow has melted!!)	Under control 'skid control' of course


Very wet pit lane 80's	90's Colin testing his Single seater. Designed and built by him with generous help from R Sayers and W Perrott.	One of the vehicles used by the Woodcote Motor Racing school run by Colin through Skid Control in the mid 80's


Goodwood circuit tunnel 1989	Old Skid School portacabin (now no more)	Skid Control 'fleet' early 90's


Guardian Motor show, track view, mid 80's. co-organiser Colin.	The team that made the motor show (1985 & 1986) happen. The logistics and running of the show over a three day period by Colin Wells, Skid Control	A young looking JP helping on a charity day organised by Skid Control. He (JP) gave hot laps in a Willhire race prepared Capri. (Colin stood by car door)


Mithril & Skid Control on joint Corporate event for Southern Radio	Colin hanging on !!!	More training to be had


Trailer course in Reading 2004	(Vehicle dynamics) BMW in action at Dunsfold for Formula Woman 2005


Locations catering hospitality bus operated by Colin & Skid Control in the early 90's. Venues such as Silverstone GP, rugby matches, corporate events, etc.	Colin Relaxing before driving up the hill in a factory Aston Martin at first Festival of Speed. This was repeated for the next two years. Colin worked for Aston Martin for number of years demonstrating for AM and teaching Aston customers at many different venues in UK inc Millbrook and also abroad