HA1 5.1 – Driving Course
On the south of Nichiko, lay an unused pier called Old Pier. It had a fairly large area. A small part of it was rented as a warehouse by several export-import companies, while the rest became an area to pile up used containers. But actually, the container dumping area was an illegal racing track for auto-clubs.
That was the brief explanation Takeo received from Hide, just before they left Nichiko East High and separated. However, when Takeo arrived at Old Pier, he only saw Hide leaning on an empty security post next to the entrance, and there was no sign that the place was a racing arena.
Hide smiled at Takeo before saying, "I thought you were lost."
Takeo gave Hide a short sigh before answering, "I understand we have to limit our interaction, but I think it's a bit too much if we have to take a different route every time we go somewhere."
"It's not a bit too much and you have to get used to it."
Because Hide said it with a very serious expression, and it was something that happened rarely, Takeo could only nod. "Fine, but I don't see any tracks or cars in this place. So how am I going to train?"
"Follow me."
Hide then jumped over the wire fence next to the security post. After being stunned for a moment, Takeo then followed him.
---
After walking for around 2 km from the entrance, Hide and Takeo arrived in front of an old and unkempt house. On the porch of the house, an old man sat behind a table.
After observing two young men who stood right in front of 'No entry without permission!' sign, the old man said, "This place opens at 6 pm."
Hide casually answered, "We know, but we want to learn when Old Pier is still quiet."
"What's the fun of learning to drive alone? Only a timid or prospective criminal learn to drive in secret, and at a glance I can see that you're not timid in the slightest."
"We work part-time at a cargo delivery service. Within a few months we will be legitimate to get a driving license. So we want to be prepared first."
The old man pondered for some time before speaking, "If you guys want it, I can prepare a van in a few days."
Hide shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but we want to use Nizan S12 with standard-setting. We will start today and rent the car that we use exclusively for the next 19 days. We also need 8 sets of spare tires with 80% condition."
Hearing Hide's request, the old man frowned. "What kind of logistics service using sedans for their operations?"
"Well, my friend is a complete newbie. So we have to start one step at a time." Hide paused for a moment before continuing, "For me, I am able to drive a 10-ton truck. I can show it if you don't believe me."
"No need." The old man then signaled for Hide and Takeo to come over. "I have four basic S12s. After you memorize the rules of this place, pay the rent and compensation guarantee if you damage my car, sign a statement that you had never learned how to drive here, you can choose which car to use."
While pulling out a pen and some documents from the desk drawer, the Old Man added, "And from now on, you can call me Oldman Ronsox."
Hide smiled before saying, "Thank you, Oldman Ronsox."
---
After selecting an S12 in light blue, white, and gray hues, Hide took Takeo to a parking lot not far from the Oldman Ronsox house. Then he asked Takeo to take the driver's seat.
Cold sweat instantly filled Takeo's forehead, a sign that he was very nervous. Even so, Takeo still complied with Hide's request.
Hide then explained how to start the car, showing the gear stick, hand brake, gas pedal, brake pedal, and gear pedal. To test Takeo's reaction, Hide gave him instant questions. He would name the gas, brake, or gear and see if Takeo hits the right pedal or not.
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After fifteen minutes of instant questions, Hide then asked Takeo to change gears which were done when the engine was on and the handbrake was installed.
After that, the real practice began. The first menu was Symmetric Maneuver. Where Takeo had to move back and forth right next to the 50-meter parking line, and maintained the side of the S12 30-40 cm from the line.
Of course, even though Takeo took it slowly, he still had a hard time keeping the car symmetrical with the parking lines. Takeo even crossed it several times.
Only after Hide asked him to use the side rear view mirrors to help him maintain his path, Takeo easily ensured the S12 remained symmetrical with the parking line whether it was moving forward or backward.
After 20 minutes of Symmetric Maneuver, Takeo began to be able to stop, change gears, or start the S12's engine smoothly. Hide then gave him a break before the next menu started.
---
In silence, ten minutes passed before Takeo turned his head towards Hide. "What's the next practice?"
Hide casually answered, "Parking Maneuvers."
Without delay Takeo started the engine, and Hide immediately gave instructions.
"Align S12 left side at a distance of 30 cm from the parking line, then move backward until the rear tire is in front of the end of first diagonal line."
Takeo gracefully carried out Hide's first instructions, and the second was immediately given.
"Turn the steering wheel to the left until it's stuck, then step on the gas gently until each sides of S12 are symmetrical with the first and second diagonal lines."
When the S12 position was symmetrical with the two diagonal lines that form the parking box, Takeo immediately lifted his foot off the gas.
"Let go of the steering wheel.”
“…”
Good, now the steering wheel is in neutral and you just have to move backward."
Takeo slowly stepped on the gas again, and when the entire body of S12 entered the parking lot, Hide immediately said.
"Congratulations, you just did your first perfect parking."
Takeo immediately grinned from ear to ear, and then stepped off the S12 to take a picture of his first parking attempt.
---
The third exercise for Takeo was Free Maneuver, which was driving freely at the highest speed possible. Twice a week, the track at Old Pier would be used as a racing arena with different obstacle settings for each race. Therefore, Hide was not worry Takeo would have lack of track variations.
After putting on his seat belt, Hide told Takeo he could start stepping on the gas. In the first few laps, Takeo was only moving at a speed of 40-50 km/h. However, slowly his confidence increased until he dared to go on a straight track at a speed of 60-80 km/h.
Of course, when there was a difficult turn, Takeo had to slowed down to 20-30 km/h. Hide also told Takeo that when he was about to turn or change lanes, seeing the rearview mirror was much more important than turning the turn signal on. Of course, it would be perfect if Takeo saw the rearview mirror and turned the turn signal on at the same time.
Without realizing it, 20 minutes had passed and Hide asked Takeo to pull over. After downing a juice box Hide said, "Tomorrow I can still accompany you, but from next day you have to train on your own. Your mandatory menus are 10 minutes Symmetric Maneuver for each side, 10 minutes Parking Maneuver for each side, and then do as many Free Maneuvers as possible."
Takeo nodded slightly before confidently said, "Understood."
---
From the terrace of his house, Oldman Ronsox observed the two young men who were practicing driving, and he immediately cursed, "Working in a logistic service huh… Damn two monkey heads!"
The back-forth movement and parking exercises carried out by his two young guests would not be of much benefit to people who were already able to drive, but would have a huge positive effect for people who were just started their practice, where their bodies and minds were still fresh and would absorb every sensation they felt like a dry sponge absorbs water.
If it was done correctly and measuredly, both exercises would allow the driver to blend in with the car. In short, the driver only needed 5% of his attention to get the car to move the way he wanted, and used the rest of his attention for situational awareness outside the car.
The ability to drive with this minimal attention on the car was the basis for Offensive Driving adopted by SFG and motorized element from Capital Guard Regiment, where the personnel was projected to drive in chaotic area of versus contact.
One of the main training in offensive driving was pushing forward or backward a VIP car whose driver was killed or unconscious, either in a straight line or in a turn until the car exited the hot zone. The pushing maneuver was impossible to execute if the driver was too focused on the vehicle he was driving, and ignored the situation around him.
Oldman Ronsox knew the benefits of the exercises performed by Hide and Takeo was because he was the one who created the training method for offensive driving. A question mark instantly appeared on Oldman Ronsox's forehead, but in the end he decided to harbor his curiosity.
"Well, if I wait a little longer, usually people will willingly and unconsciously tell me things I want to know."
When his two guests finished the practice, Oldman Ronsox asked them to park the S12 next to his house and no need to return it to the warehouse, without any further interaction.
*****