The two day programme was held on Wednesday and yesterday, at Highlands Motorsport Park, in Cromwell. It was organised by the Central Otago District Council and sponsored by the Central Otago Motorsport Club and Highlands Motorsport Park.
Young men and women were nominated by their employers who gave them a day off to take part in the course. Participants took part in precision driving, ABS braking in a gravel pit, changing tyres and fitting snow chains, backing covered and uncovered trailers, and driving in wet and dry conditions.
They also learnt first aid, crash physics, how to put out a fire, alcohol harm, brain injuries, and the most exciting part, being a passenger in a rally car. Council community road safety adviser Jo Robinson said the programme, in its third year, was the ''full session''.
It was designed to give participants practical skills and teach them how to be better drivers, Mrs Robinson said. Central District Mayor Tony Lepper presented the awards and congratulated the young drivers as well as the volunteers who ran the event.
Matt Gordon (19), of Alexandra, finished second and Ian Buchanan (24), of Cromwell, third. Mr Adair received $500 worth of MTA vouchers and the opportunity to drive around Highlands Motorsport Park in a racing car.
He was nominated by a work colleague who said he would be ''perfect for it''. Driving on the dirt track, testing ABS and ''going real fast'' were the most exciting parts of the programme for Mr Adair. So what made a good driver? ''Being aware, and not being on your phone. Common sense.''
He recommended the driving course to anybody wanting to get involved, saying the more people made aware of the programme, the better.
''They've done a good job,''
