ARDS Test?

[TREMAiNE]

Hi All

I'm lucky enough to be getting into motor racing next year so I applied for my starter pack from the MSA - I've watched the DVD and I'm pretty confident about the practical exam and I also know most of the flags.

I was just wondering what the 30 minute theory test includes and what I need to learn for it?

[BritishRacinGrin]

It's easy. It's pretty much entirely a 'match the flag to the instruction' exercise.

[Steve H]

TREMAiNE said:

Hi All

I've watched the DVD and I'm pretty confident about the practical exam

Be careful with that bit, have you got much/any track experience?

[TREMAiNE]

Steve H said:

Be careful with that bit, have you got much/any track experience?

Yes - I've had several lessons with ARDS instructors now who say I'll pass the practical.

[jagracer]

TREMAiNE said:

Hi All

I also know most of the flags.

I was just wondering what the 30 minute theory test includes and what I need to learn for it?

Knowing most isn't enough, you need to know all of them confidently, One flag question may be "when the lights don't work what flag is used to start a race" answer is the National flag, not necessarily the Union flag, it's a little catch out question.
Most of the other stuff they tell you beforehand so make sure you listen.

[Steve H]

TREMAiNE said:

Steve H said:

Be careful with that bit, have you got much/any track experience?

Yes - I've had several lessons with ARDS instructors now who say I'll pass the practical.

Cool, spot on. You'd be amazed how many people turn up for the test expecting it to be OK because they think they are a bit handy on the road .

[TREMAiNE]

jagracer said:

nowing most isn't enough, you need to know all of them confidently, One flag question may be "when the lights don't work what flag is used to start a race" answer is the National flag, not necessarily the Union flag, it's a little catch out question.
Most of the other stuff they tell you beforehand so make sure you listen.

Sorry, my OP was a bit rushed, typing from my phone you see, wanted it to be short as I hate these touchscreens! Basically, in length, this is what the original post should have said:

I am lucky enough to be competing in my first season next year, I've never raced before but have attained a fair amount of track experience this year and have had tuition from several ARDS instructors and even an ex-Formula 3 driver who both have said I don't need to worry about the practical part. Obviously before I can actualy race I'll need to get the license and so far I've received my starter pack and familirised myself with the basics of what I need to know.

I've learnt most of the flags, though still have a couple left to learn and I understand that the pass mark for this section of the theory exam is 100%, however, I am unsure on what the rest of the theory test comprises of and what I should be revising for it. I understand that, on the whole, the theory part is relatively easy as long as you know the flags and have a bit of common sense, however, I find that the easier the test is supposed to be, the more worried I get! I'm weird.

[CraigyMc]

TREMAiNE said:

I'm weird.

No more than any of the rest of us, likely.

Stop worrying so much.

[Graham]

Steve H said:

TREMAiNE said:

Steve H said:

Be careful with that bit, have you got much/any track experience?

Yes - I've had several lessons with ARDS instructors now who say I'll pass the practical.

Cool, spot on. You'd be amazed how many people turn up for the test expecting it to be OK because they think they are a bit handy on the road .

Lol i rocked up for my ards at silverstone, having never been on a circuit in anyway. And managed a pass,

Although to be fair it was a full day with a bit of instruction first, and i actually went expecting to fail and find out what i needed to do to pass

[RB Will]

As you know you have to get all the flags right and then there are (or was when I did mine) about 5 common sense questions like " What would you do if your car is on fire and throwing oil and petrol everywhere A) carry on and ruin things for everyone B) Move off line slow and proceed to the nearest marshals post

you should be fine. As said the only flag you may want to particularly remember is the National flag for starting races. In our test the examiner told us what it meant as at the time it was not shown anywhere in the starter pack. but this was 13 years ago