racing schools- what are the options?

[speedychrissie]

i would like to get my racing license over the summer as i want to start doing a few races in a historic series in my mini next year. a few things i would like to know are:

where did people do their ARDS?
what kind of course did you go for? (because you can do just the test, or have 1 hours tuition or do much longer courses)
does anyone know whether any driving schools are known to be better than others?

thanks for your help
chris

[s3am]

Hi,

I got my (now expired one) from Silverstone. They ran a 5/6 day intensive course for just under 2k. Great time, loads f theory, caterhams, formula first, lots of racing in karts and hatchbacks and 2 proper graduation races at the end.

Really enjoyable, met some great people and was taught by Rob Barff, Phil Bennet, Tim Mullen and Robin (second name escapes me right now) used to drive a yellow porsche very successfully. I don't think many of those guys are still there, but it should provide a great experience nevertheless.

Sam

[Martin Hayter]

Chris - I went for the basic ARDS test at Castle Combe. About three laps with the instructor driving, another three with me driving with advice from the instructor, and then three laps "test" with the instructor silent. It's done at about half to two thirds "track speed", and is mainly to test smoothness, and an appreciation of the racing line, so is fairly easy if you pay attention and use your common sense.

I'd done several trackdays beforehand, but others tested at the same time as me had less experience and passed. If you're a complete track novice, I'd do a trackday or two and get some instruction on the trackday so that you get used to being on a circuit in advance of the test. If you haven't got a car, several trackday companies will hire them. I checked out the cost of the pre-ARDS instruction and found it expensive in comparison, and of course you get far less time on track than a trackday.

I have heard good things about the Silverstone intensive course though, if you want to stump up that kind of money.

[s3am]

Yeah, I can't pretend it's cheap!

>> Edited by s3am on Monday 13th June 19:29

[anonymous-user]

getting the ards licence and driving schools are quite seperate really. anyone with a passion for driving that isnt a total lunatic can turn up, do a few practice laps take the test, watch a video and fill out simple written test based on the video (what do the flags mean etc...) they just want to check you can go round safely not quickly.

i did mine at donnington purely cos i much prefer it to silverstone. was good fun with instructor in some hotish 306, did about 20 laps in total i think.

much to my shame i never raced... anyone know if you need to retake after 3 years ?

[daydreamer]

I did the five day intensive a couple of years ago now - Yes Tim Mullen and Phil Bennett were still there then.

It really is a great course and goes some way to prepare you for racing (although first proper qualifying session will be a bit of an eye opener.

Can't really remember learning much (as such), but the experience that the week in the cars gives you is invaluable, and it is a good holiday (which was why I did it originally).

Yes, it is expensive, but actually quite good value when you look at what you get. On the flip side, racing is expensive, so get used to it .

Definite from here then!

[speedychrissie]

thanks for all the help.
i have done a few track days before and know pretty much all of the racing rules etc because my dad races occasionally. so i guess i will just go for the basic test first.

i would like to do an intensive course at some point but i dont have 2k to spare at the moment (why is furniture so expensive?!) and i dont actually like the idea of single seaters.
i would far prefer to be in an interesting car like my mini than an open wheeled insane race car (that makes it sound like single seaters are boring, which they are not!). i guess it is probably just that i have been watching 70s road sports races for years now because of my dad so i have always taken more interest in those races.

chris

[daydreamer]

All fair points, and you are right that track days will give you enough experience to easily pass the ARDS test, which is a bit of a joke if we are all honest.

However, the race school does offer a little more by the way of preparing you to race, which is a totally different prospect. Also, don't write off the single seaters - nobody that I know from the course races them now (including me), but because they are set up as out and out racers, they make an excellent learning tool.

Appreciate that it is an expensive week, but I do think that it is worth it as a tool for launching people into the clubman scene.

Good luck with whichever way you decide to go.

Rich

[aasc]

Are there any US based similar courses (guess this is getting off the ARDS topic a touch) - they may be a cheaper alternative to a UK based intensive course?

[Mark_SV]

Check out www.bondurant.com , which should give you a good starting point for US info, including links to the various US racing organisations.

I did their executive protection course, not the race course, but it was all under the same instructors at the race school. The Bondurant school is quite renowned and I can highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, however, prices have since shot through the roof! I can't imagine being able to afford Bondurant's current prices.

Perhaps there's a US-based PHer who could advise ...

>> Edited by Mark_SV on Tuesday 21st June 21:44

[calypsoelise]

I took mine at Goodwood with Mithril Racing - very quick and easy - cost about £200.

But as a package rockingham seems a pretty good deal .. includes the test, track time, lunch and the medical..

"it's about £350 and you get a whole day there.
Skid car training, track tuition, lunch, written and practical test.
They do your medical exam included in the price!!!
contact James Burnett on [e-mail]"