56 replies to this topic

[southpaw]

I've been thinking about taking one for the last year and have finally booked one for July this year. Thruxton is now v.close to my work and it seemed rude not to. No imediate plans to race but it will be fun to take the licence and will then be there just in case. Still need to learn how to drive though.

[techieboy]

Was going to do mine at Snetterton in the VXT's this year. Running out of time, rapidly.

[VXT Tim]

Smooth moves. I was looking at this earlier on in the year. Don't you have to race a certain amount of times per year in order to maintain your license?

[southpaw]

Time will tell if it was as good a deal as I first believed but I'm doing the test on a Vaux VXRpower day. I liked the idea of 3hrs 1 to 1 tuition, around a new track with the bonus of counting towards my ARDS . I'll have to check about the racing so many times per year.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Nope, once you have your National B Race Licence you can renew it year on year, no races needed. It is only when you want to upgrade yout licence that you need to have signatures of competing. I don't think it is until you get to International Licence level that you need to "keep your hand in" as such. Hope it helps.

[VXT Tim]

Thanks for the info.

[NickB787]

anyone fancy Silverstone 1/2 or full day?
Silverstone

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I've been thinking about something like this for ages... Not just getting my ARDS but how to use it.... Maybe a small group of us buy a car and enter a few team races... It could be done easily enough. Not talking a VX as ££££ would be sky high, but if anybody wants to donate a VX that'd be cool with me BritCar24 at Silverstone in a VX would be a dream come true, but that's just a pipe dream Even had a look into this funcup racing. There is an endurance type event at Spa that would be awesome, but is very expensive!! But setting up a team and racing isn't too bad!!

[jonny5]

I've been thinking about something like this for ages... Not just getting my ARDS but how to use it....

You know you can do your ARDS course at Anglesey (courtesy of the Performance Driving Centre) at the National? Cost is £295, less a £50 discount if you're already paid up for the track day (to cover the missed track time while you get the classroom briefing and sit the written test).

Jonny
BaT

[Pidgeon]

Someone trying to impress an instructor is the last person we need on track on a sessioned day.

[vx220chick]

Someone trying to impress an instructor is the last person we need on track on a sessioned day.

not quite sure what you mean?
If you don't drive courteously/safely as well as demonstrate you can get round a circuit consistetly you may fail. you are not out to impress (they've seen it all) you are there to demonstrate an understanding of the basics of how to get round a circuit and understand the lines, handling, flags, etc etc
you don't drive 110% like you do when racing for your ARDS LOL

[Pidgeon]

1, Someone taking their ARDS is best advised to drive at 80% - more slowly that others on track 2, They will be nervous, therefore not paying best attention to faster drivers (so holding everyone up) 3, I am not aware courtesy plays any part in ARDS or subsequent races 4, If they do catch someone up, they will be expected to make progress, perhaps not obeying the standard TD rules? The day works well in sessions. Injecting someone out of session is not a good idea.

[vx220chick]

I can't agree ^^ i've never seen it a problem before LOL also there are always cars of different speeds in a session driving etc is not rocket science, and it shoudn't be made into such a big deal IMO

[System-G]

1, Someone taking their ARDS is best advised to drive at 80% - more slowly that others on track
2, They will be nervous, therefore not paying best attention to faster drivers (so holding everyone up)
3, I am not aware courtesy plays any part in ARDS or subsequent races
4, If they do catch someone up, they will be expected to make progress, perhaps not obeying the standard TD rules?

The day works well in sessions. Injecting someone out of session is not a good idea.

Have you taken your ARDS?
EDIT: Actually have re-read you post, I beleive not.
Or been on track when someone else is taking their ARDS?
EDIT: Chances you have, but wouldn't have know it

It's very much like taking instruction - so nothing to worry about. Trackday rules apply.

The test is not about how quick your are or how agressive or passive you need to be in a race, it's as Jo described

Edited by System-G, 10 May 2010 - 07:04 PM.

[techieboy]

Have you taken your ARDS?
Or been on track when someone else is taking their ARDS?

Think it's fair to say Mr P has been round the odd circuit in his time as a Production BMW racer.

[System-G]

Well I stand corrected then, but the ARDS courses I've seen run follow trackday rules with no probs at all

[VIX]

Well I stand corrected then

Doing a search for the word "racing" and the author "Partridge" is pretty tricky ...

[System-G]

Doing a search for the word "racing" and the author "Partridge" is pretty tricky ...

I'll try develop a habit of searching every post by every members whilst replying in future then

By Partirdge's post above, it came accross like he hadn't done an ARDS course. I was mistaken.
If intructors are encouraging behaviour like that on trackdays sessioned or OPL (under ARDS tuition or otherwise), they shouldn't be instructing IMO

[andruet]

Hello all, I took my ARDS test earlier this year, in a VXT, at Brands, with MSV. I would make several suggestions. 1) Have a lesson in the car first, the car felt completely different to my VXT, on a damp track this made me more nervous. Also the examiner asked why had I not had a lesson, I felt sure I was not going to get a glowing report before I even got in the car! 2) MSV allow racers on the track and there was some ridiculously aggressive driving going on. 3) As I understand it you want to drive fairly conservatively in order to pass, any sign of overdoing it would be more likely to provoke a fail. 4) You would have to stick to track day rules re overtaking etc. although I had people overtaking me round the outside of bends! Regards, Andrew P.S. Race report in motorsports section

[southpaw]

Just been doing some reading around an arrive and drive in the Toyo Racing Saloons/PBMW - that sounds like a winner to me.... Once I'm faster than at least one other person on the grid .