Another Step Closer!
Discussion
ARDS Passed today. Well chuffed. Just the car to finish now.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Knockhill. Good Circuit, No Bull from the Instructors and Seat Ibiza Cupras which go well.
It is also a wake up call and a very humbling experience when you think you are quite good to be shown as quite average when sitting alongside a pro instructor.
I have a lot to learn next year.
Neil.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Knockhill. Good Circuit, No Bull from the Instructors and Seat Ibiza Cupras which go well.
It is also a wake up call and a very humbling experience when you think you are quite good to be shown as quite average when sitting alongside a pro instructor.
I have a lot to learn next year.
Neil.
Well done mate, hope to see you out there next year..
....I'll get me coat...
Graham said:
I remember my ards... When I realised what I had been doing or the last 14 years wasn't driving, but merely pointing the car in the direction I wanted to go !!!!!!!
G
...you seem to have forgotten that bit this year....G
....I'll get me coat...
well done mate,keith and i are going to book our test soon,not sure where yet.Tips mmm
1) watch the video a good few times
2) wade through the flags and the safety stuff in the blue book.
3) Ards test :- dont try too hard... you need to be in control and totally on the track at all times... if there is traffic about, be aware of where it is but not preoccupied on it. concentrate on the racing line.. if you spin or put a wheel off the track your trying too hard and its an instant fail... 9/10ths is about where you should be, so you've got a bit of talent in reserve in case anything silly happens... your not trying to win anything just prove that your not a liability on the track
G
1) watch the video a good few times
2) wade through the flags and the safety stuff in the blue book.
3) Ards test :- dont try too hard... you need to be in control and totally on the track at all times... if there is traffic about, be aware of where it is but not preoccupied on it. concentrate on the racing line.. if you spin or put a wheel off the track your trying too hard and its an instant fail... 9/10ths is about where you should be, so you've got a bit of talent in reserve in case anything silly happens... your not trying to win anything just prove that your not a liability on the track
G
The ARDS test seems very nerve wracking at the time but when you look back at it it was actually very easy.
You must know the flags, but the answers are multiple choice in the written test and in some they even give away the answers.
The driving part of it - I wouldn't even drive at 90%. They are looking for safety, consistency and awareness of others - not whether you are quick. Sensible lines, sensible pace, keep watching the mirrors (unless on an empty track like I was!). Don't try to nail every apex and exit perfectly because they will fail you if you put a wheel off - so don't drive at anything like a pace that would risk it. If that still sounds nerve wracking just think when was the last time you unintentionally put a wheel off the road when driving.
You are bound to be nervous, I know I was, but relax and enjoy it and you'll be fine (unless you are a right muppet)
You must know the flags, but the answers are multiple choice in the written test and in some they even give away the answers.
The driving part of it - I wouldn't even drive at 90%. They are looking for safety, consistency and awareness of others - not whether you are quick. Sensible lines, sensible pace, keep watching the mirrors (unless on an empty track like I was!). Don't try to nail every apex and exit perfectly because they will fail you if you put a wheel off - so don't drive at anything like a pace that would risk it. If that still sounds nerve wracking just think when was the last time you unintentionally put a wheel off the road when driving.
You are bound to be nervous, I know I was, but relax and enjoy it and you'll be fine (unless you are a right muppet
)There was only one other guy doing the test at the same time as me and we were on the Grand Prix Circuit. We both did the optional additional couple of hours to get some track time in first (which I would recommend).
We both passed the written bit with 100%. On the driving bit I was fine, but the other guy came in and said it was a nightmare - he kept forgetting where he was on the track (i.e. didn't set the car up for the next corner because he couldn't remember whether it went left or right).
The instructor told him that if he drove like that in a race he wouldn't want ot be on the same track as him....... but passed him anyway. In my view he should have failed him, because if you can't learn a track after 2 hours then you shouldn't be racing. It was all the more remarkable because the guy had years of hill climbs/sprints behind him, where one would have thought learning a track quickly was vital.
Anyway, despite this display the chap walked away with a race licence, so there is hope for all! (In his defence Silverstone is very wide and can be slightly disorientating. Actually there is no defence, I just hope he has got the knack now some 5 years later!!)
We both passed the written bit with 100%. On the driving bit I was fine, but the other guy came in and said it was a nightmare - he kept forgetting where he was on the track (i.e. didn't set the car up for the next corner because he couldn't remember whether it went left or right).
The instructor told him that if he drove like that in a race he wouldn't want ot be on the same track as him....... but passed him anyway. In my view he should have failed him, because if you can't learn a track after 2 hours then you shouldn't be racing. It was all the more remarkable because the guy had years of hill climbs/sprints behind him, where one would have thought learning a track quickly was vital.
Anyway, despite this display the chap walked away with a race licence, so there is hope for all! (In his defence Silverstone is very wide and can be slightly disorientating. Actually there is no defence, I just hope he has got the knack now some 5 years later!!)
teamHOLDENracing said:
There was only one other guy doing the test at the same time as me and we were on the Grand Prix Circuit. We both did the optional additional couple of hours to get some track time in first (which I would recommend).
We both passed the written bit with 100%. On the driving bit I was fine, but the other guy came in and said it was a nightmare - he kept forgetting where he was on the track (i.e. didn't set the car up for the next corner because he couldn't remember whether it went left or right).
The instructor told him that if he drove like that in a race he wouldn't want ot be on the same track as him....... but passed him anyway. In my view he should have failed him, because if you can't learn a track after 2 hours then you shouldn't be racing. It was all the more remarkable because the guy had years of hill climbs/sprints behind him, where one would have thought learning a track quickly was vital.
Anyway, despite this display the chap walked away with a race licence, so there is hope for all! (In his defence Silverstone is very wide and can be slightly disorientating. Actually there is no defence, I just hope he has got the knack now some 5 years later!!)
It felt strange for me.We both passed the written bit with 100%. On the driving bit I was fine, but the other guy came in and said it was a nightmare - he kept forgetting where he was on the track (i.e. didn't set the car up for the next corner because he couldn't remember whether it went left or right).
The instructor told him that if he drove like that in a race he wouldn't want ot be on the same track as him....... but passed him anyway. In my view he should have failed him, because if you can't learn a track after 2 hours then you shouldn't be racing. It was all the more remarkable because the guy had years of hill climbs/sprints behind him, where one would have thought learning a track quickly was vital.
Anyway, despite this display the chap walked away with a race licence, so there is hope for all! (In his defence Silverstone is very wide and can be slightly disorientating. Actually there is no defence, I just hope he has got the knack now some 5 years later!!)
I actually felt as if I had driven poorly!
I found myself listening to the instructor which took a little concentration away from the track. I also found the lines shown interesting and as someone who hasn't driven on a circuit before I found that I had a tendancy to turn in too soon, Difficult to explain really, I think rather than keeping a line to a definitive turn in point I was wandering over the track a little prior to turning in.
The instructor reckoned that this is normal in a novice driver, but he thought I was plenty quick and plenty smooth.
Speed though is not what they are looking for. They are looking for you to be fast enough not to slow anyone up and consistent around the circuit.
I did 5 in the car with the instructor telling me what to do. I then did 3 in the car with the instructor at the wheel. then I did a final 5 with the last 3 being quiet and the instructor assessing the consistency of the laps.
What I plan to do though is book some slots with Sandy forrest to get some track time in to improve my circuit craft. I think this will save a lot of time at the start of the season.
The ards took in total about three and a half hours. I was a good two and a half in the class room and about an hour doing the driving.
Bottom line for the class room is
Know your flags
Know the other uses for the flags, IE greens and reds in pit lane etc etc.
The rest are just common sense questions
The reason I found Sandy so good was that he was giving me a talk as a racer. IE telling me how to make the most out of the flags, track positioning on yellows, when to be on the throttle, playing the rules to your best advantage etc.
an example was on a yellow you can be 3/4 up the inside of the next placed driver at a corner, thus if you anticipate a green at the next marshalls post you can steal the place legitimately. These insights I found particularly helpful.
In short though, great day, I was nervous but really the guys are looking to pass people who are enthusiast racers.
Take a pic along of your car, these guys are all petrol heads.
Neil.
Edited by heightswitch on Saturday 20th October 18:38
tbdgriff500 said:
the advice is very welcome,common sense i suppose, bit of luck would help too.
we are thinking of brands to take the test (locality mainly) but experienced suggestions welcome,
easiest, frendliest,would be better.
can't wait to start testing the car!
Hi Tim,we are thinking of brands to take the test (locality mainly) but experienced suggestions welcome,
easiest, frendliest,would be better.
can't wait to start testing the car!
AFAIK brans don't do the test, I would love to do it there also, as Im only 25 miles for me.
So I think it will have to be Siverstone. maybe book it together.
Have to be late nov. I think for me.
Leigh
tbdgriff500 said:
hi leigh
spoke to alex at brands today, they do the ards test on trackdays as part of the day,
or seperatley on those days. the next one is this wednesday, then thursday 1st nov,
then mid nov(no fixed date yet).keith & i will probably book up the mid nov. date.
That's cool, nice to be proven wrong. mid nov seem a good day for me also.spoke to alex at brands today, they do the ards test on trackdays as part of the day,
or seperatley on those days. the next one is this wednesday, then thursday 1st nov,
then mid nov(no fixed date yet).keith & i will probably book up the mid nov. date.
Do they have any details, or do you have a web link.
Leigh
tbdgriff500 said:
hi leigh
just watched the vid in the ards pack,now i really fancy
the 4 day course at silverstone,they sell it well.
its just the time & money.
if you need to ask any questions about brands give
alex a bell on tel.01474 875216
cheers
tim.
Trust me £260 for the ARDS is Ample. learn the flags and as long as you have a rudimentary knowledge of where the clutch, brake and throttle pedal is and you can use the round thing at the front of the car you really don't need the Course.just watched the vid in the ards pack,now i really fancy
the 4 day course at silverstone,they sell it well.
its just the time & money.
if you need to ask any questions about brands give
alex a bell on tel.01474 875216
cheers
tim.
neil.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff