ARDS Test & MSA Blue Book

[gtwilliams]

Hi, I've booked myself in for my ARDS test which will take place in July at Castle Combe. I've watched the DVD and read the little black book that comes with the starter pack and I will do that a couples of times more before July.

I have two questions:

Firstly, should I book a track day or similar so that I can experience Castle Combe before my test or is it pretty straightforward considering I won't be driving at race pace?

Secondly, does anyone know if Section Q (Specific Regulations for Circuit Racing) of the MSA Blue Book has changed from 2017 (61st Edition) to 2018 (62nd Edition)? I only need to know this section in detail for my test, right?

[MG CHRIS]

Just memories the flags fully fail any of them and you fail the questions are piss easy too do and you can get 2 wrong I think. Driving part just drive around at a steady pace and fully in control don't do anything stupid and you pass. You have the video and a briefing before the test anyway.

[Vimes]

Everyone says the driving is a ‘steady pace and in control’ but my test was on a day when it was -2 degrees and the instructor had me sliding (understeering) around paddock hill and telling me to keep my foot in, unwind the lock and use the kerbs. Ended up passing a 911 in the 208 gti.

I followed the instruction and learnt a lot but I wouldn’t describe it as steady... I’m hoping I instilled confidence in the instructor which meant he was comfortable to push me - rather than me just being dog slow and needing to up the pace.

Really enjoyed it though. Just relax and enjoy the experience!

Edit: If you can get some laps in around castle Combe it will help you relax but i’d day it’s not essential. I’m sure the instructor will adjust expectations accordingly.

Edited by Vimes on Thursday 14th June 00:04

[Kraken]

If the instructor can see you can drive and are safe straight away they will often push you to have a bit of fun. That happened on my test as well and it was very useful tuition for my first race.

[andrewcliffe]

The 2018 book can be downloaded from the MSA website if you want to check the section yourself.

[anonymous-user]

Combe is a really easy track until you get into finding the last few % of pace, just think fast country road and you won't go wrong.

[binnerboy]

I am doing mine at Combe on 2nd August.

Make sure you have read the form and got the medical bit filled in

Edited by binnerboy on Monday 18th June 09:54

[cookracing]

It may be worth having a good study of onboards in a similar pace car, so you learn a) all the turns and b) approximately what the lines are. Look at racing onboards, not trackdays After learning the flags (and remembering to take some common sense) this is the nice-to-have prep you can do. Saves learning at the circuit when you're already trying to take it all in.

I'll wheel this out as it's had decent feedback so far

https://youtu.be/pLrH8NnL2a8?t=3m6s