Just passed my ARDS!
Discussion
On a wet and windy, not to mention pretty dark Thruxton on Friday, I took my ARDS test and passed despite a few nerves not helped by the conditions.
I've been Hillclimbing and sprinting for about 16 years and have a good few track days under my belt in the last couple of years, but was still a bit nervous - probably as I've never driven at Thruxton before. I have to say the guys at Ian Taylor racing school were great - Pat Blakeney is the chief instructor and just made sure we were all well informed as to what to expect.
I'm planning on competing in the BARC SE single seater series in my Formula Vauxhall Junior - should be a reasonably quiet intro to circuit racing. Does any one on here race in the series? I've thought about Monoposto and may do a couple of races if teh budget will stretch.
Cheers
Andrew
I've been Hillclimbing and sprinting for about 16 years and have a good few track days under my belt in the last couple of years, but was still a bit nervous - probably as I've never driven at Thruxton before. I have to say the guys at Ian Taylor racing school were great - Pat Blakeney is the chief instructor and just made sure we were all well informed as to what to expect.
I'm planning on competing in the BARC SE single seater series in my Formula Vauxhall Junior - should be a reasonably quiet intro to circuit racing. Does any one on here race in the series? I've thought about Monoposto and may do a couple of races if teh budget will stretch.
Cheers
Andrew
It seems to depend where you do it (although it is supposed to be to a standard). From anecdotal evidence the smaller circuits are easier then the big name venues.
You don't have to be "on the pace" to pass. Basically spinning will finish any chance of passing. They want to see an appreciation of lines and I suspect an awareness of what is going on around you (e.g. you notice flags and are aware of other cars you are overtaking/being passed by).
Also I suspect human nature being what it is, it depends which instructor you get.
Archibold
You don't have to be "on the pace" to pass. Basically spinning will finish any chance of passing. They want to see an appreciation of lines and I suspect an awareness of what is going on around you (e.g. you notice flags and are aware of other cars you are overtaking/being passed by).
Also I suspect human nature being what it is, it depends which instructor you get.
Archibold
basically you have to get 100% in the safety exam ie knowing the flag signals and quite right too, approx 80% in the vehicle dynamics part and be able to drive at a decent speed for about 6 to 10 laps being consistent with your lines. Any spin will fail you.
Basically what they are after is someone who can go out on a genreal test day with other very varied machinary and be safe. Since this could often be more dangerous than a race due to the potential differneces in cornering speed and braking etc ie clio sport cup and FIA GT3 racecar. Thats how it was explained to me by the examiner when i did my test at silverstone a few years ago anyway.
It isnt that difficult really, worthwhile paying for a full hour in the car when you do the driving bit though.
Basically what they are after is someone who can go out on a genreal test day with other very varied machinary and be safe. Since this could often be more dangerous than a race due to the potential differneces in cornering speed and braking etc ie clio sport cup and FIA GT3 racecar. Thats how it was explained to me by the examiner when i did my test at silverstone a few years ago anyway.
It isnt that difficult really, worthwhile paying for a full hour in the car when you do the driving bit though.
My instructor put it simply as would he be prepared to line up alongside me on a grid? They are looking for a bit of pace, awareness of other cars, making sure you sight the corners and have an appreciation of vehicle dynamics.
Because I've been completing in sprints and hillclimbs for many years a lot of people had said I'd breeze it. I took it seriously and I'm glad I did - it's not the easiest thing in the world to do and having an instructor scrutinise you is unnerving.
Just need to decide what races to do next year - looking more like Monoposto and BARC SE mixed depending on location and budget!
Because I've been completing in sprints and hillclimbs for many years a lot of people had said I'd breeze it. I took it seriously and I'm glad I did - it's not the easiest thing in the world to do and having an instructor scrutinise you is unnerving.
Just need to decide what races to do next year - looking more like Monoposto and BARC SE mixed depending on location and budget!
Well done to both of you.
It's still good to see people interested in going racing, rather than doing trackdays.
And I concur with the comments of your instructor - "He'd be happy to line up next to you on the grid". I've come across plenty of the other sort.... where I'd rather put the car back on the trailer and not be there!! Thankfully, they don't pass ARDS.
Rob.
It's still good to see people interested in going racing, rather than doing trackdays.
And I concur with the comments of your instructor - "He'd be happy to line up next to you on the grid". I've come across plenty of the other sort.... where I'd rather put the car back on the trailer and not be there!! Thankfully, they don't pass ARDS.
Rob.
Galileo said:
Congratulations on passing your ARDS. I passed mine last month at Silverstone. Yesterday I bought myself a Formula Vee and am now counting the seconds till spring time!! Good luck with it all.
My advice now would be to make sure you've got a good few test days under your belt before you start your first race.. That shakes down both you and the car, you want to hit the ground running, rather than spend your first day running around like a headless chicken...
Also note a test day is very different from a track day.. it will give you a much better idea what its like to have people out braking you and cutting across you at speed.
if you get a chance before your first race, go an follow someone else through the general procedure at a different race
i.e.
sign on
scrutineering
New drivers brief
checking the car and fueling / tyre pressures etc
the holding area - be there in plenty of time for qually and race
qualifying ( remember to bag 3 laps before going for it or you'll not get to race)
getting the qualy results
checking the car and fueling / tyre pressures etc
remembering to eat / drink
the holding area again
the form up procedure ( you did check the grid sheet for where you are supposed to be)
remember where you are on the grid for when you get back after the green flag lap.
The green flag lap
The start
the race
remember to watch for flags (i.e. black/white black/orange / black) each time you go past the start/finish ( you dont want a trip to the COC for missing one)
remember to watch for other flags all the way around.
The procedure for the end of the race, parc ferme etc
the route to the podium ( just in case)
Getting the results sheet
a beer , you've earned it..
One important thing to remember is that if you do spin at any time, please remember to brake so you dont roll back across the track... not that you'll spin
G
Cheers mate. Good advice always welcome. I am booked in at Mallory Park on 20th of this month for a test. I got involved with and bought the car from a team who do Vee. The owner is coming with me to Mallory to "hold my hand", which to me seems a good way of getting into the sport rather than going it alone. 
Galileo said:
Cheers mate. Good advice always welcome. I am booked in at Mallory Park on 20th of this month for a test. I got involved with and bought the car from a team who do Vee. The owner is coming with me to Mallory to "hold my hand", which to me seems a good way of getting into the sport rather than going it alone.
Good luck mate
I passed mine when i was 14...so it cant be that hard
Great advice there, thanks Graham. I'm not due to do any testing 'till Feb as the car is undergoing it's winter strip & check. I've spent 8 speed events in the car this year, so it's quite familiar - but time on track with others is what I need.
Pat Blakeney told us "in a spin - both feet in" Seems like a good addage to me.
Have to say i'm really looking forward to it!
Pat Blakeney told us "in a spin - both feet in" Seems like a good addage to me.
Have to say i'm really looking forward to it!
Just to add to Graham's advice which is spot on and that is "Stay on the line". If you get out of the way of faster cars you will at best slow yourself down (ensuring there is soon another faster car behind you to worry about) and at worst do something unexpected and the faster car will collect you...just stay on the line and let the faster car deal with it.
Archibold
Archibold
pdd144c said:
You've made that sound rather daunting Graham!
its not really, Your first race is somting to enjoy. There is a lot to remember but it soon becomes second nature. A bit of planning as to what you need to do will make it much more fun. You'll probably find that someone in your series/championship will hold your hand through it if you ask.. I would stress the importance of testing beforehand though, the last thing you want to be doing is trying to sort a car problem at your first race. 
thats the safest option, and keep your feet in untill you've collected your thoughts. 
Or of course, you could get some professional training and drasticaly reduce the chances of ever needing to revert to the "both feet in" thought process 
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