Hi Guys,
Whos done their ARDS test here? Is it just a matter of reading and learning the blue book and being sensible on the track test and its easy? Or more to it? And is every circuit similar in terms of doing it? or others better than some etc..
Looking to do mine fairly soon so after some advice before i book it.
Regards
Ed

i believe Adam w has done it. infact i think he talks all about it in this months ckc mag's track day guide.

p.s you can only get the one with the track day guide from tesco.

[Edited on 20/3/10 by ashg]

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Originally posted by ashg
i believe Adam w has done it. infact i think he talks all about it in this months ckc mag's track day guide.

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I completed my ARDS many a moon ago, as you say it is basically watching the ARDS DVD and learning the flags etc. Then you drive round with an instructor for a few laps and that is basically it

I believe that at most circuits the instructors will take you round for a few sighting laps then you will jump in and do your laps

You need to score 100% in the written tests, and I don't believe many people fail these days

But, when I did my test at Goodwood (about 14 years ago - I'm so OLD!!) out of the 22 who completed the test about 9 failed - some on their driving and some on the written test

When I did mine (at Silverstone) the classroom stuff was typical multi choice and so long as you had read the literature and new Flags and circuit protocol it was a breeze.
On circuit I had 2 instructed sessions with loads of advice followed by the assessed session which was about 15 - 20 minutes of attempting a proper pace and showing car control and awareness of what was about you. The ethos seemed to be if you spin you fail and if you dont attempt proper pace you fail.
That said I really enjoyed it and definately benefitted from all the advice.
I believe if you contact Silverstone they will send you an MSA pack with all the relevant material, application forms etc
hope that helps
Andy

Im looking to do mine in a few months. There is alot of info here. HTH

Here's the thread relating to mine from last year.

I did mine years ago at Castle Coombe. I had to pass a flag colour test before the real ARDS as I'd failed the colour vision test during my medical.

The written test was pretty simple and the driving bit was fine although the instructor did say something like 'typical fu**ing rally driver' :-)

Wyn

Yes....done mine......a few years ago now

Advice? as per TimC's thread he posted....

Fozzie

you can fail it quite easily if you don't revise up on the flags etc, the instructor wants to see you drive smoothly and safely getting the apex right etc and not scarring him to death!

Did mine last year at Thruxton - it was very straightforward. Watched the DVD in the classroom, did the written test, one section of which you must get 100% on. Then a couple of laps with the instructor driving the porsche cayman and commentating then over to you to do a few laps. You need to show pace, accuracy, consistency, know whats around you on the track and not spin it or get a wheel off the circuit. Basically if he feels he would be happy alongside you on a grid, you pass.

I did a wirite up of it for my local MSA car club - the Isle of Wight Car Club. Its copied below, albeit a bit longwinded:

Well I just came back from Thruxton and Dan suggested I write a little something about my experience, so here goes.

Background is that having purchased the Locost (race car #74 from last years 750 Motor Club Locost Series), it is about time I took the next step and obtained the necessary licence required for all types of circuit racing in this country - the MSA National B Race Licence.


Application Pack
First of all, a quick visit to the MSA website will give you details of the process involved to get your licence:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/conten...sp?article=784

Firstly you need to purchase the "Go Racing" starter pack from the MSA which gives you a DVD to watch about racing and safety, along with First Aid in Motorsport (That bit isnt tested and is just for info). The pack also includes the current "Blue Book" (motorsports Bible) and the all important application form and giudance notes. This costs for 2009 £55.00

Medical
Then secondly, you need to make an appointment with your doctors surgery for a medical. If you are under 45 then it is pretty straight forward and includes having a general check over. You need to have both aided and unaided vision tested during your medical so if you are a contact lense wearer, you need to have your glasses with you and "kit" so you can have your eyes tested with them in, and then take them out and get retested.

The medical took about 20 minutes and wasnt too expensive at £50.00. If you are over 45 you will need a cardiogram and that puts the cost up to around £169 (prices based on my local Medical Centre).

ARDS Test
Thirdly, you will need to book the ARDS test - The Association of Racing Driver Schools. There are several schools which run the ARDS test but having done some research, Thruxton seemed the preferred choice with quite laid back instructors who prefer to teach and test rather than just test. Also, I wanted to get back to Thruxton having done a Lotus Elise experience there about 12 years ago.

The course at Thruxton lasts around 2 hours and costs £285. Details can be found on their website:

http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/expe...ther_ards.html

I would advise (as do the MSA and Thruxton) to do the medical first. That way, if you are successful on the course, you can get signed off and then you will be ready to apply for your licence from the MSA. Otherwise, you need to get your medical done and then send the form back to the school to get it signed off. Not worth the hassle really.

There are other schools "local" to us, such as Mithril Racing at Goodwood, Castle Combe Race School and MSV at Brands Hatch:

http://www.mithril.co.uk/giftvouchers/raceschool.aspx

http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/...b/goracing.asp

http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/br...atch/index.asp

There were 6 people on the course today including myself. There were 4 people older than myself, 2 by some way, and a 15 year old nipper. Nipper was with a race team and will be doing the Ginetta Juniors series shortly, having done the National Kart Championship last year and finished 10th.

The course starts in the same ilk as a trackday - go and sign-on. Once that was out of the way, we went ito the classroom and talked about the test itstelf which would consist of 14 questions on race flags, which you must score 100% on to pass, followed by a further set of about 8 questions which you can get just 2 wrong. The further 8 questions are multiple choice.

We then ran through the DVD which comes with the Go Racing pack and I was glad I had watched it a couple of times already. The instructor paused to go into more detail about certain aspects of the DVD such as car control, flags, racing lines, settling the car etc.

After this, it was time for the test, which was relatively easy. The multiple choice questions were all really simple, bar one which asked about the reasons for using heel and toe. For example, one question was:

Q. You drop your helmet and notice a crack. Do you:
1. Stick tape over it
2. Ignore it as helmets are meant to take abuse
3. Sell it to another competitor
4. (Somethign else equally daft that I cant recall )
5. Dispose of it and purchase another approved helmet

That was the easiest one of all and i did have a chuckle.

You get 15 minutes to do the test which is more than enough, but pay a lot of attention to the flag questions as 1 wrong out of 14 is an instant fail. Luckily I remembered what a black flag with an orange disc on it is for: you have a mechanical issue or your car is on fire! (don't recall seeing it at Brands though when i turned the scoob into a fireball through Mclaren )

So then it was onto the practical test. We went out individually in the Porsche Caymans - they have 9 of the buggers, all the same. You sit as a passenger for 3 laps whilst the instructor shows you the lines, braking points and turn in points and also the gears you should be in for each corner.

Emphasis is given to showing that you can be consistent and in control and be aware of other track users - not on outright speed. They stress that you should build up speed over 3 or 4 laps and not go balls out as a spin or excursion off track is an instant fail.

After 3 laps I took the wheel and drove "making progress" for 3 laps, with him giving commentary and advice. I had to let an RX8 by which was being driven on a "hot lap" by one of the race instructors. It was sideways through the complex which was nice to watch. I paid attention to not taking kerbs (as this is frowned upon) and hitting the correct apexes and braking points etc, consistently.

After 3 laps he asked if I was happy and then I did a further 4 laps when he simply observed and I attempted to maintain a reasonable pace, but most importantly be accurate and smooth.

After 4 laps he said he was very impressed and back to the pits.

Went back to the instructor that had been marking the papers whist we were out on track and got told I had passed with all questions correct. Result. He then signed off my application form (which has the medical on the back) and that was that.

Licence Application
So, fourth stage - Licence application. You will need a passport type photo to send off with the signed off application form to the MSA along with another fee of £51.00. You should get your licence back withing 3 working days or so.

All you have to then do before entering a race, is display the "Novice" sticker on the back of the car until you have completed 6 races at National B level. (Yellow square with black X).

!0 races signed off would see an upgrade beoing available to National A, but I will report on that if and when it happens. For Now the National B is more than adequate.

So, total cost was around £441 all together.

Thanks for that. Very useful!!

Over 45's...don't panic!

You only need the cardiogram test if you are applying for an International licence ... ...

Fozzie

do you need FIA overalls and gloves and recognise dhelmet?

My girlfriend has bought me my test but I am worried i need to shell out on a load of gear(overalls only) for the test

Nope - the school should be able to lend you a helmet (check!) and that should be enough.

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Originally posted by eddie99

quote:

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Originally posted by ashg
i believe Adam w has done it. infact i think he talks all about it in this months ckc mag's track day guide.

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Thanks, i will try and track down a copy then

EDIT: Its a bit cheeky but does anyone have a 2010 blue book or a go racing pack that they don't need.... Anything for less than the £60 really.
Thanks

[Edited on 20/3/10 by eddie99]

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