Discussion
First off you need to buy the ards pack either from the msa or demon tweeks, about 65 quid. this gets you the forms the blue book and a video...
then you need a medical, about 45 quid from your gp..
next stage is the ards test *( written and practical)
this can range from a few laps round mallory ( about 150 quid) to a full days course at silvertone ( 400 quid) to the 5 day race intensive course (3k but you get a free race suit)
once you've got the test you need another 45 quid for the licence its self..
any help?
G
then you need a medical, about 45 quid from your gp..
next stage is the ards test *( written and practical)
this can range from a few laps round mallory ( about 150 quid) to a full days course at silvertone ( 400 quid) to the 5 day race intensive course (3k but you get a free race suit)
once you've got the test you need another 45 quid for the licence its self..
any help?
G
Get the Go Racing pack and read through it and watch the video, A LOT, and learn. Learn the flags. If you have track experience then book a test at Mallory Park. This is £175 at the moment. Mallory are very helpful and will take you through the complete test, which will include a course and track time.
You will need to know all the flags but the rest is sort of self-explanitry and not too difficult.
you will also need a medical.
You will need to know all the flags but the rest is sort of self-explanitry and not too difficult.
you will also need a medical.
All as above but; most GPs will charge between £75 and £90 for the priviledge of a medical. (That was the most recent BMA recommended fee before they stopped issuing guidance a little while ago - now completely at the discretion of the doctor).
NOTE this DOES NOT have to be done by YOUR OWN GP.
I do medicals at a reduced rate for my old WRDA mates, and would be glad to extand the offer to any PH'ers who wanted this done in Swansea.
That wasnt intended to be a plug, just came to mind as i was typing.
NOTE this DOES NOT have to be done by YOUR OWN GP.
I do medicals at a reduced rate for my old WRDA mates, and would be glad to extand the offer to any PH'ers who wanted this done in Swansea.
That wasnt intended to be a plug, just came to mind as i was typing.
As long as you're a reasonably sensible driver on circuit, I don't think you need to shell out for a half or one day course.
You'll get a demo from the examiner, followed by a few laps instruction during the ARDS test (or at least I did on mine at Castle Combe). Then you get a few laps where they shut up and observe your driving.
If you've done some karting lines shouldn't be too much of a problem, and as long as you use the controls smoothly, and show awareness of other cars on the circuit, it shouldn't be a problem. A spin or leaving the circuit means a fail, but at 60-70% of trackday speed that shouldn't be likely.
Of course instruction is always useful, so if you are looking for that in its own right, then go ahead. I'd just suggest doing it somewhere other than Silverstone as a) it's expensive, and b) so wide that it will take much longer to learn the lines/limits of you and the car.
You'll get a demo from the examiner, followed by a few laps instruction during the ARDS test (or at least I did on mine at Castle Combe). Then you get a few laps where they shut up and observe your driving.
If you've done some karting lines shouldn't be too much of a problem, and as long as you use the controls smoothly, and show awareness of other cars on the circuit, it shouldn't be a problem. A spin or leaving the circuit means a fail, but at 60-70% of trackday speed that shouldn't be likely.
Of course instruction is always useful, so if you are looking for that in its own right, then go ahead. I'd just suggest doing it somewhere other than Silverstone as a) it's expensive, and b) so wide that it will take much longer to learn the lines/limits of you and the car.
A lot of speculation going on! Here's the correct breakdown:
MSA 'Go Racing Pack': £45.00
Medical (Standard National Fixed Fee With GP's): £48.00
ARDS Course (Standard National Fixed Fee With MSA Approved ARDS Race Schools): £199.00
Licence Fee (Race National B - Subject to passing ARDS Course): £38.00
Total cost: £330.00
The ARDS Course is basically an assessment to establish whether you are competent to be let loose on a racing circuit in National competition. The content of the course can vary slightly from school (circuit) to school - although really it shouldn't vary at all! Usually it will consist of:
1) Watching the video that comes with the 'Go Racing' Pack.
2) A classroom instruction session (about 30 minutes) with an ARDS Instructor.
3) On circuit instruction/demo laps with an ARDS Instructor driving.
4) On circuit assessment with you driving - basically to establish whether you can drive to a racing line and a rev limit, drive smoothly and get braking/gearchanging done correctly, and that you aren't going to be a danger to other competitors.
5) A written exam - you will need to know the flags used in racing, and a few other basic things about racing techniques (all covered in the video) - and some common sense!
People DO fail ARDS Courses, a pass isn't guaranteed! An ARDS Instructor is an Official of the RAC Motor Sports Association, and has the authority to deny you a race licence. Athough it isn't absolutely neccessary, I would recommend some basic instruction first.
I'm an ARDS Grade A Instructor - hence the PH ID!
MSA 'Go Racing Pack': £45.00
Medical (Standard National Fixed Fee With GP's): £48.00
ARDS Course (Standard National Fixed Fee With MSA Approved ARDS Race Schools): £199.00
Licence Fee (Race National B - Subject to passing ARDS Course): £38.00
Total cost: £330.00
The ARDS Course is basically an assessment to establish whether you are competent to be let loose on a racing circuit in National competition. The content of the course can vary slightly from school (circuit) to school - although really it shouldn't vary at all! Usually it will consist of:
1) Watching the video that comes with the 'Go Racing' Pack.
2) A classroom instruction session (about 30 minutes) with an ARDS Instructor.
3) On circuit instruction/demo laps with an ARDS Instructor driving.
4) On circuit assessment with you driving - basically to establish whether you can drive to a racing line and a rev limit, drive smoothly and get braking/gearchanging done correctly, and that you aren't going to be a danger to other competitors.
5) A written exam - you will need to know the flags used in racing, and a few other basic things about racing techniques (all covered in the video) - and some common sense!
People DO fail ARDS Courses, a pass isn't guaranteed! An ARDS Instructor is an Official of the RAC Motor Sports Association, and has the authority to deny you a race licence. Athough it isn't absolutely neccessary, I would recommend some basic instruction first.
I'm an ARDS Grade A Instructor - hence the PH ID!
Are you sure about the fixed fee for the medical-I certainly paid more than that and I know plenty of people that are paying more than that for renewals?
The ARDS test itself was pretty basic and basically provided you know the flags and apply a bit of common sense is very straightforward.
MikeW
The ARDS test itself was pretty basic and basically provided you know the flags and apply a bit of common sense is very straightforward.
MikeW
mikeww said:
Are you sure about the fixed fee for the medical-I certainly paid more than that and I know plenty of people that are paying more than that for renewals?
MikeW
Yes... seeing as I have it done every year! Go to the MSA website www.msauk.org and click 'Go Motorsport > Licences'... there is another link on that page giving a list of MSA approved GP's... call a few and ask. However, I found that the standard fee for Hackney Carriage Driver's Medical is now £53.75... and it is essentially the same, so it may have gone up slightly... but it should be no more than that!
I paid £48 last year... I keep down to a National A Licence to keep the price down.. however, I may have to go back up to an International C next year, which means, because I'm over 45 I will have to have a full EGC medical, which is at least £120! (some charge over £200 for the ECG one!)
My ards test was the first time on the track ever 
i did it as part of the tasmin group and only did it to find out what i needed to do to pass.... i was quite surprised to pass and at silverstone too...
The experience of the medical price does seem to vary , mine was 4 years ago and i paid 65 quid !!!! from my NHS GP.. a mate who got his done last year in harley street ( doctor turned out to be on the msa board !!!) paid less
G
i did it as part of the tasmin group and only did it to find out what i needed to do to pass.... i was quite surprised to pass and at silverstone too... The experience of the medical price does seem to vary , mine was 4 years ago and i paid 65 quid !!!! from my NHS GP.. a mate who got his done last year in harley street ( doctor turned out to be on the msa board !!!) paid less
G
White_Van_Man said:
cheers ian i will pick that up off you sometime soon,
Cheers for everything guys its definatly going to be my big callange for next year, then all i need to do is find a car to race in
Gotcha-- Alex Take a butchers at your e-mails
Phil
>> Edited by billynomates on Wednesday 6th October 22:29
instructor said:
Are you sure about the fixed fee for the medical-I certainly paid more than that and I know plenty of people that are paying more than that for renewals?
MikeW
Yes... seeing as I have it done every year! Go to the MSA website www.msauk.org and click 'Go Motorsport > Licences'... there is another link on that page giving a list of MSA approved GP's... call a few and ask. However, I found that the standard fee for Hackney Carriage Driver's Medical is now £53.75... and it is essentially the same, so it may have gone up slightly... but it should be no more than that!
I paid £48 last year... I keep down to a National A Licence to keep the price down.. however, I may have to go back up to an International C next year, which means, because I'm over 45 I will have to have a full EGC medical, which is at least £120! (some charge over £200 for the ECG one!)
Helloooo
Did any of you read my post ???
There is no "fixed charge" for a taxi medical either, it comes under the same rules (i.e: none) as the racing driver medical.
PS: you should find me in the MSA web site.
instructor said:
...because I'm over 45 I will have to have a full EGC medical, which is at least £120! (some charge over £200 for the ECG one!)
And it's not just the cost that's painful - if you're hairy-chested be prepared for a bit of shaving and VERY sticky bits to rip off afterwards!
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