The LOCOG BMWs

The Olympic Branded BMW Series 3 at the Olympic park

Well it had to happen it was all going so well - the interview, the offer, the training sessions to date, the uniform&theacrediation - I had not expected the driving to present any challenges.  I was wrong!

The driver training session started early 8am as it was a full program.  I was pleased to see faces I recognised from previous sessions - I was beginning to feel at home.  The morning was spent in introducing us to the Transport FA of LOCOG aka the Transport Functional Area of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic.

As usual there was brand new posse of TLAs - posse is IMHO the collective noun for a group of Three Letter Acronyms. I'll not burden you with them all I'll give you flavour: FDN NOC Fleet Depot (where we collect and drop off cars daily) FDP Park Lane Fleet Depot (where the cars are kept in central London); ORN Olympic Route Network (specally designated routes for Olympic use only); VSA Vechile Screening Area (where the cars are security cleared proir to accessing a venue). And there's more,many more OFA, PCP, PSA, FDO, BMW(!),OSA. Seems each FA has its own posse of TLAs hence the 35 page  booklet to explain accrediationabale(!) areas and fucntions that appear on the Acrrediation Card (Front & Back).

  the Better Driving Matrix

My big take away from the morning session was the Better Driving Matrix which I reproduce above. It was a catchy way to make one a better, more thoughtful and hopefully safer driver when encoutering or anticpating potential hazards.

Poistion for Vision for Decision - get into the best place on road to get the best view so you can take the most appropriate action

Fake Space to Make Space to Take Space - fake and or make space for yourself or other drivers and when approproiate take/use that space.

Slow until know then go - if uncertain slow down until you know what's going on once you know then go ,equally if you don't know you don't go.

Yes, all common sense but well put, to my mind.

Another take away of much lesser important, nevertheless of quirky interest is another TLA - SoH - Seat of Honour. The passenger side rear seat is SoH1 - seat of honour one, SoH2 the driver side rear seat and SoH3 front passenger seat. This could lead to TLA radio phonetic radio calls like this:

Control Control Zulu Charlie one two three four taking November India Golf Charlie Delta Mike to Victor Echo Lima he is in Sierra Oscar Hotel One Over

Control I'm taking the Niger Head of Mission to the Velodrome he's sitting in the back passenger side seat.

Eventually we had the chance to drive the much anticipated manual series 3 BMW diesel's sponsored by BMW complete with “sat nav” and sponsored fuel (ultimate diesel) and car washing from BP. These cars were chosen for the fuel efficiency and sustainable manufacture in line with LOCOG's commitment to the environment and sustainability.

The Olympic Branded BMW Series 3 at the North Greenwich Arena 

aka NGA aka O2 Dome

We went out in pairs with a driving instructor. We spent the afternoon swapping roles as driver  and reporting to control our movements on sample typical routes.

My own personal challenge was the manual car having driven automatic cars for the past 1,000 years it was case of embarrassing, repeated stalling and sharp breaking! I believe with the help, guidance, support  and encouragement of our instructor I was able – eventually – to reduce the bumpiness of the drive. I must mention my fellow Games Maker in the car with me he was very sympathetic with me. Thanks to both, my confidence with the gear changes increased and I was able to relax (a little). Still the overall experience was very sobering - can’t take anything for granted.

I will have the chance to become even more comfortable with these manual BMWs in the Driver Training part 2.

Onwards to the next event when I get to know my country aka NOC aka National Olympic Committee, fingers crossed for Nigeria aka NGR.