Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) I am very happy to say I passed my ARDS test yesterday at Brands Hatch. I just thought i'd do a little write up to help anyone else thinking of doing it. Firstly you have to send off for your 'Go Racing' Pack. £65-70 depending where you get it from. This includes: - Medical/licence application blue form - MSA Blue book (rules, regulations etc) - DVD version of the blue book - DVD on racing, the ARDS test and first aid - Demon Tweeks catalogue - List of approved ARDS schools I then booked my medical, the medical was basic and consisted mainly of my doctor charging me a lot of money to look through my medical history and perform some basic tests. This is to make sure you are safe to race. After some studying of the 'Blue book' and learning/memorising all the flags I booked my test. This was £250 for a 2hr slot at Brands Hatch. I know schools vairy and you can also do extended tests to allow for some more time to get used to the car, however with my experience I thought I would save the money and bite the bullet. On arrival you sign in as you would on a track day and then get seated in a room with an instructor and anyone else doing the test. At this point I felt like I was back at school sitting an exam that I knew I could have spent more time revising. The instructor then explains how the day is going to go and you sit down to watch the same DVD that comes in the Go Racing pack. After this the instructor went over a few points that were either unclear on the DVD or not mentioned. You then have 20 minutes to complete the written test, this seems like a short amount of time but I think it took me 10. The first section is all on the flags, you need 100% on this bit to pass. The next four sections are multiple choice, each person supposidly has different questions but the safest answer is usually the correct one. On this section you are allowed two incorrect answers. The test is then marked, and if you are successful then you go out on track with an instructor. The instructor will drive for two to three laps showing you the circuit, the lines and the level of speed they would like to see from you. When its your turn to drive you will do around 6 laps (im sure it depends on the circuit) with the instructor commenting and adding any tips if neccesary, when you pass the start/finish line at the end of these laps they will say 'These laps will now be assessed' (or something to that effect), you will then do a further 4/6/10 laps and the instructor will be silent, once completed you will get told to return to the pits for good or bad news. I felt like the instructors were on your side, they are very clear about the written test and very relaxed on the driving section, they want you to pass. The whole theme of the day is safety and awareness. The instructors don't want to see how fast you can get around the track, they want to see that you can keep a reasonable pace, a consistent line, keep the car balanced and be aware of other people on the track. ( I did mine on an open pitlane track day so there was plenty of traffic both overtaking and being overtaken). Relax, enjoy it, and don't stress out if it doesn't go right the first time. Driving is a skill that largely comes from experience, if you have to do it again then you are just gaining more seat time which will be nothing but advantagous. Sorry to waffle on, its just I was searching for a writeup like this before mine and couldn't find one! Just a final run down of cost as it does add up. Go racing pack: £65-70 Medical: £116 Test: £250 Licence: £58 (National B ) Any questions fire away and I will try to answer them. Edited November 5, 2013 by Smokeyjoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I know this could be a stupid question....But what exactly is this test for? I.e. what do you get at the end of it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Great write-up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Grundy - it's for a race licence. Allows you to compete in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Grundy - it's for a race licence. Allows you to compete in the UK Gotcha thanks Nice write up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I did mine about 6 years ago now, still have yet to actually do a race The flag test is utterly f*cking terrifying. It doesn't matter if you've been watching racing for years, and know exactly what each of them means, it's still sh*t scary knowing if you get one single one wrong that you fail everything. I did mine with a bunch of others at Bedford, as part of a group thing organised by Patrick Mortell of Rogue fame. Really good laugh, the morning was spent out on track as an open pit lane day, and then the test at lunch with the practical in the afternoon. We had these utter sheds of VX220s to drive, gearbox was like stirring a bucket of bricks and I missed the gear on more than one occasion. Examiner was okay about it though, we were laughing and joking about how crap they were! Luckily for me this was after I'd owned the VXR so I knew how to handle the car, but some of the people there had never driven MR cars before: I suspect that was proper scary for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4RE Leather Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I can get you these medicals for circa £50-£60 guys. Not the £125 my quack wanted to charge me for my HGV & PCV licence last year! PM for details when you have your form. They are country wide so no one should have to drive far or travel long distances from there home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I got my racing licence before ARDS Test, where we had to do 6 races and be closely observed by a Senior RAC Race Steward who then signed your licence if he believed you drove without any danger to your fellow competors etc : All 6 signatures and you got your National Race Licence. Great write up on ARDS, who was your instructor at Brands Smokey, ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R35LEE Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Nice write up mate I think everyone who drives a RWD should do some form of track training as it gives you a greater understanding of what the car is actually trying to do and how to control it. Loads of guys spend thousands modding their cars to trash them in the same week, sometimes unavoidably but not always 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) Another one to do is the skid pan course which at one time was part of your licence if you did your training at Brands Racing School. Edited November 5, 2013 by WhackyWill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I did mine with a bunch of others at Bedford, as part of a group thing organised by Patrick Mortell of Rogue fame. Christ I know Patrick from IMOC, I think he might of been banned for speeding on the way to my first ever IMOC meet iirc! Went through their stand at JAE this year but didn't spot him around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 I had an instructor called Mary. She was very relaxed which was nice. They let us drive the Peugeot RCZ, I liked it tbh felt quite solid for a Peugeot. Fwd though so it's never going to be perfect. The 6 observed races still sort of applies. You get your national B by doing the ARDS test, the 6 races after that you have to run with a novice sticker on the back of your car and be observed. Once you've done those six you can take it off and have the option to upgrade to a national A, which pretty much means you can race in all uk based track championships. I actually continued onto a track day with my boss in a porsche 924 race car and a lotus Elise, was amazing. You can gain so much from a track day! Skid pad is something I haven't done yet. I've been teaching drifting for 4 years so id be interests to compare. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I had an instructor called Mary. She was very relaxed which was nice. They let us drive the Peugeot RCZ, I liked it tbh felt quite solid for a Peugeot. Fwd though so it's never going to be perfect. The 6 observed races still sort of applies. You get your national B by doing the ARDS test, the 6 races after that you have to run with a novice sticker on the back of your car and be observed. Once you've done those six you can take it off and have the option to upgrade to a national A, which pretty much means you can race in all uk based track championships. I actually continued onto a track day with my boss in a porsche 924 race car and a lotus Elise, was amazing. You can gain so much from a track day! Skid pad is something I haven't done yet. I've been teaching drifting for 4 years so id be interests to compare. Right so ARDS is a new way of making sure you can drive before getting onto the track and causing havoc..I did the whole course at Brands Racing School down to graduation and then went racing, and ended up working at the School instructing part time, great fun and good times, Some of my mates are still working at the School.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longsh07 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) Nice write up I did a full day ARDS and got my license on a rainy day at Silverstone in October last year Expensive but worth it I would say! Slapped the novice sticker on the back of my 106 as a badge of honour Edited November 5, 2013 by longsh07 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Ideally that's what I'd like to do. To get the ARDS instructors licence it's a minimum of 16 races and then the test. But with no money or work at the moment.. It's not looking too likely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Ideally that's what I'd like to do. To get the ARDS instructors licence it's a minimum of 16 races and then the test. But with no money or work at the moment.. It's not looking too likely! Where are you based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Horley, near Gatwick.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Horley, near Gatwick.. Try Mercedes benz world, I used to work there as a track host, if you have a race license you can work on the track as a "driving specialist" to make some money and get some track instructing under your belt. You don't need to have an instructing license just experience with cars and track driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Horley, near Gatwick.. Try Mercedes benz world, I used to work there as a track host, if you have a race license you can work on the track as a "driving specialist" to make some money and get some track instructing under your belt. You don't need to have an instructing license just experience with cars and track driving This is excellent news I will call them tomorrow. I went there once when I was 18 and drove an AMG and loved it! Thanks for the heads up Dedman, need to see you drifting at some point. Are you up at pod on the weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Horley, near Gatwick.. Try Mercedes benz world, I used to work there as a track host, if you have a race license you can work on the track as a "driving specialist" to make some money and get some track instructing under your belt. You don't need to have an instructing license just experience with cars and track driving This is excellent news I will call them tomorrow. I went there once when I was 18 and drove an AMG and loved it! Thanks for the heads up Dedman, need to see you drifting at some point. Are you up at pod on the weekend? Not this weekend, my car is off the road currently. Just had a massive weekend in Madrid with monster energy, so having a quiet one this is a video of September at Silverstone, not perfect, but was ok 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Very interesting read Smokeyjoe and well written. I just can't believe the price of the "Go Racing pack" now. It was £35 back in the 90's when I last looked. Good luck with Mercedes Benz World ~ that would be a cool job to get I'd imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Well that's pretty awesome. How'd you score that gig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longsh07 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Horley, near Gatwick.. Try Mercedes benz world, I used to work there as a track host, if you have a race license you can work on the track as a "driving specialist" to make some money and get some track instructing under your belt. You don't need to have an instructing license just experience with cars and track driving This is excellent news I will call them tomorrow. I went there once when I was 18 and drove an AMG and loved it! Thanks for the heads up Dedman, need to see you drifting at some point. Are you up at pod on the weekend? Not this weekend, my car is off the road currently. Just had a massive weekend in Madrid with monster energy, so having a quiet one this is a video of September at Silverstone, not perfect, but was ok So its your fault I had to park in a field at the BTCC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Ideally that's what I'd like to do. To get the ARDS instructors licence it's a minimum of 16 races and then the test. But with no money or work at the moment.. It's not looking too likely! Good luck with getting there, its hard work, I used to drive the fast ride car at Brands (doing 3 laps per passenger in the Lola Sports 2000 ) for up to 60 to 80 guests a day, that's 170 laps or more of the Indy circuit in a day, keeps you fit. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyjoe Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 whacky will that sounds amazing! I want to do that now please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.