ARDS test and getting started
Discussion
Having spent the weekend at Donington and plied with beer by Insane Racing, I have been encouraged to get a Racing pack from the MSA, which arrived today.
I have always wanted to have a go at racing, but always dismissed it as too expensive, other things to do etc etc. Well a change of circumstances (sadly not a sudden influx of cash) has me thinking if I don't do it now, I never will. Though of course it remains far too expensive!!
I need to take my ARDS test - can anyone recommend where to do this in the South East? Is there any variation in the courses offered by the various schools? I assumed cost is around £300? (Did a quick search on here for ARDS, but didn't find much. Haven't read all the bumpf in the pack yet either!)
As a slight aside, there was a huge amount of discussion on PH about the Faking It series, in partic the episode where they took a chap and tried to turn him into a racing driver. As that was so popular, I wondered if I might be able to get a TV production company or the Beeb interested in following a 35 year old complete novice, having a mid life crisis and wanting to race a Tuscan. If anyone has any contacts in TV, perhaps you could e mail me.
Some TV coverage would seriously help get sponsors and give me a much better chance of getting into a Tuscan (and into the first gravel trap...)
I have always wanted to have a go at racing, but always dismissed it as too expensive, other things to do etc etc. Well a change of circumstances (sadly not a sudden influx of cash) has me thinking if I don't do it now, I never will. Though of course it remains far too expensive!!
I need to take my ARDS test - can anyone recommend where to do this in the South East? Is there any variation in the courses offered by the various schools? I assumed cost is around £300? (Did a quick search on here for ARDS, but didn't find much. Haven't read all the bumpf in the pack yet either!)
As a slight aside, there was a huge amount of discussion on PH about the Faking It series, in partic the episode where they took a chap and tried to turn him into a racing driver. As that was so popular, I wondered if I might be able to get a TV production company or the Beeb interested in following a 35 year old complete novice, having a mid life crisis and wanting to race a Tuscan. If anyone has any contacts in TV, perhaps you could e mail me.
Some TV coverage would seriously help get sponsors and give me a much better chance of getting into a Tuscan (and into the first gravel trap...)
If it was that easy we would have all done it. Assume that you will have to fund your racing from your own pocket and cut your cloth accordingly.
There seems to be variations in how ARDS works although there shouldn't be. Some see it as a course to teach you, others see it as a test to fail you.
Mallory, Thruxton and Castle Combe come well recommended.
There seems to be variations in how ARDS works although there shouldn't be. Some see it as a course to teach you, others see it as a test to fail you.
Mallory, Thruxton and Castle Combe come well recommended.
bobpearson said: If it was that easy we would have all done it. Assume that you will have to fund your racing from your own pocket and cut your cloth accordingly.
There seems to be variations in how ARDS works although there shouldn't be. Some see it as a course to teach you, others see it as a test to fail you.
Mallory, Thruxton and Castle Combe come well recommended.
I didn't think it would be easy, but if you don't ask you don't get. I wonder how many people have actually tried asking? Everyone? No-one?
I did my ARDS at Silverstone last summer in the end, despite Goodwood being 20 mins down the road (at the time, the previous company to do ARDS there went bust the day before my original booking).
The ARDS test shouldnt cost you more than 180 odd quid (+VAT). Phone the MSA and talk to them... they are quite helpful, but they are busy.
The test is not that bad. My instructor was more interested in my general driving attitude and learning ability than specific techniques or wrong doings.
The written test was harder than I thought and had a couple of trick questions in, but all the same, ten out of ten of us passed that day.
As long as you listen to the instructor and watch the video a couple of times, you can do it
I took the plunge and myself and dad invested in a single seater for around 9k including spares and wets etc. Im now doing Monoposto 1200 and the BARC Single Seater Series. Race costs are around 100-150 per day and can include up to 2 races plus qualifying.
In my third ever race, last weekend, I came second and even got a mention in this weeks Autosport
So if I can do it, anyone can!
There are loads and loads of different clubs you could compete in, all dependent on budget of course.
All I can say is go for it, you'll love it
>> Edited by jedi on Friday 11th April 15:24
>> Edited by jedi on Friday 11th April 15:25
The ARDS test shouldnt cost you more than 180 odd quid (+VAT). Phone the MSA and talk to them... they are quite helpful, but they are busy.
The test is not that bad. My instructor was more interested in my general driving attitude and learning ability than specific techniques or wrong doings.
The written test was harder than I thought and had a couple of trick questions in, but all the same, ten out of ten of us passed that day.
As long as you listen to the instructor and watch the video a couple of times, you can do it
I took the plunge and myself and dad invested in a single seater for around 9k including spares and wets etc. Im now doing Monoposto 1200 and the BARC Single Seater Series. Race costs are around 100-150 per day and can include up to 2 races plus qualifying.
In my third ever race, last weekend, I came second and even got a mention in this weeks Autosport
So if I can do it, anyone can!
There are loads and loads of different clubs you could compete in, all dependent on budget of course.
All I can say is go for it, you'll love it
>> Edited by jedi on Friday 11th April 15:24
>> Edited by jedi on Friday 11th April 15:25
If you can find the funds i would recommend the advanced ards test at silverstone. its a very intensive 5 day course and includes an actual race in a single seater at the end.
the course includes the ards test and lots of instruction in
protons, elise, caterhams and single seaters, plus skid control ect, and theory.
the instructors are peeps like barfy, Liddel, bennet ect.
its not cheep about 2k in the formula first but when you realise 1 hour's instruction at silverstone will cost abut 300quid in an elise its very good value and when you finish it you should have your licence and 2 signatures.
contact silverstone for details...
ref TV yep tried and failed, its been done a few times. in fact there was a race school program on cable last week which followed the silverstone couse a couple of years ago..
G
now if it was a celebrity race school that might work...
the course includes the ards test and lots of instruction in
protons, elise, caterhams and single seaters, plus skid control ect, and theory.
the instructors are peeps like barfy, Liddel, bennet ect.
its not cheep about 2k in the formula first but when you realise 1 hour's instruction at silverstone will cost abut 300quid in an elise its very good value and when you finish it you should have your licence and 2 signatures.
contact silverstone for details...
ref TV yep tried and failed, its been done a few times. in fact there was a race school program on cable last week which followed the silverstone couse a couple of years ago..
G
now if it was a celebrity race school that might work...
ARDS test is pretty easy-just keep the car on the track and make sure you know your flags for the written test. The main thing they are looking for is safety.
Instruction is normally between £150-£300/ day if using yuor own car plus track hire.
Once you have your license you can do test days ( as opposed to track days) which means you can use timing equipment.
VERy difficult to know how well you are going/improving without timing.
Definitely recommend a trailer if you're racing and remeber to budget for all the safety gear ( about £600)
MikeW
Instruction is normally between £150-£300/ day if using yuor own car plus track hire.
Once you have your license you can do test days ( as opposed to track days) which means you can use timing equipment.
VERy difficult to know how well you are going/improving without timing.
Definitely recommend a trailer if you're racing and remeber to budget for all the safety gear ( about £600)
MikeW
Only £600 for the safety gear? Been looking through the Demon Tweeks catalogue that comes with the pack - for a helmet, suit, boots and gloves it looks like it would come out at a fair bit more than that!
Does anyone have any tips about what sort of suit to get. Like most things it seems you can pay quite a bit or absolutely loads. Any recommendations for something that is reasonably priced but does its business well. What things do I need to look out for (e.g.2 layer v 3 layer Nomex etc). Its all very confusing!!
Does anyone have any tips about what sort of suit to get. Like most things it seems you can pay quite a bit or absolutely loads. Any recommendations for something that is reasonably priced but does its business well. What things do I need to look out for (e.g.2 layer v 3 layer Nomex etc). Its all very confusing!!
griff2be said: Only £600 for the safety gear? Been looking through the Demon Tweeks catalogue that comes with the pack - for a helmet, suit, boots and gloves it looks like it would come out at a fair bit more than that!
Does anyone have any tips about what sort of suit to get. Like most things it seems you can pay quite a bit or absolutely loads. Any recommendations for something that is reasonably priced but does its business well. What things do I need to look out for (e.g.2 layer v 3 layer Nomex etc). Its all very confusing!!
Don't buy from a catalogue, go to somewhere like Grand Prix Racewear in Chiswick or at Silverstone circuit and get some face-to-face advice (I hear that Silverstone is better for advice - they were very helpful when I was buying...) and so you can try the stuff on.
As for budget, get the best you can afford and make sure it conforms to MSA standards otherwise you'll fail scrutineering anyway.
Combe recommended for ARDS also.
Bought all my gear from Demon Tweeks and they were very helpful.Their returns policy is very good as well if anything turns out the wrong size.
Go (IMO) for SA2000 helmet (£240), also get a balaclava ( safety and hygiene) FIA approved race suit( 3 layer) about £220, flameproof boots and gloves about £80. So £600 should do it.
MikeW
Go (IMO) for SA2000 helmet (£240), also get a balaclava ( safety and hygiene) FIA approved race suit( 3 layer) about £220, flameproof boots and gloves about £80. So £600 should do it.
MikeW
Just booked my ARDS for June at Thruxton, twas the earliest date they have, and its at 3:15 pm!!! so it cant be a very long course.
learnt my flags, dont know the circuit there very well though, but if line and safety are the important factors then it should be ok.
It was £185, £75 deposit
learnt my flags, dont know the circuit there very well though, but if line and safety are the important factors then it should be ok.
It was £185, £75 deposit
zefarelly said: Just booked my ARDS for June at Thruxton, twas the earliest date they have, and its at 3:15 pm!!! so it cant be a very long course.
learnt my flags, dont know the circuit there very well though, but if line and safety are the important factors then it should be ok.
It was £185, £75 deposit
I reckon its the most expensive per lap cost there is!
I did three laps as a passenger and then six laps driving with two laps examined, 9 laps for £175!!!
you have to get 100% on the flags and can only drop two other questions but they are all OK. Just have to sit and watch the video yet again.
Best of luck, I'm hoping for my first race in about three weeks.
Nick
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