ARDS test for Test Days

[MagicalTrevor]

I currently hold anMSA non-race National A Open licence and would like to test at some of the larger circuits such as Silverstone, Rockingham, etc.

Unfortunately, they're not very inclusive and insist that I have a race licence to 'not race' at their tracks.

So I'm faced with either sticking to small circuits like Llandow, medium circuits like Castle Combe or finding a track day organiser that would allow single seaters either in their own session or slotted in between sessions.

As we're Sprinters then we'd be happy to do a single lap ahead of each session as anyone else following us is unlikely to catch up. That means we get nearly a full lap every 20 mins but we'd need to persuade a TDO to slot us in. I don't think that's such a big deal tbh.

I'm reluctant to pay anywhere between £450-£600 for the ARDS test just so I can test at more places.

Anyone got any thoughts?

[Trev450]

I think you may find that you are between a rock and a hard place. I encountered the same problem when I used to sprint an OMS and is one of the reasons why I swopped it for a tin top.

[MagicalTrevor]

Hmm, not what I wanted to hear but it sets the scene I guess.

I might have to pose the suggestion, about slotting in between sessions, in the track day forum and see if a TDO picks up on it and offers a solution.

[hufggfg]

ARDS tests only cost £250 with MSV... roughly same cost as 1 trackday at some of those bigger circuits.

Just go get it done, will be a LOT less hassle.

[andylaurence]

I have a competition licence that allows me to compete in a Formula 1 car should I wish. I have no desire to do circuit racing. I refuse to pay money and take the time to pass a test that lets me compete in a different discipline just so I can do a test day at a venue where the outright lap record is held by someone who has the same licence as me. I am allowed to compete, but not to test WTF?!

[andrewcliffe]

As some Time Attack classes do not need full race licences, do they offer sprint licence friendly test days?

[MagicalTrevor]

andrewcliffe said:

As some Time Attack classes do not need full race licences, do they offer sprint licence friendly test days?

That's an interesting idea, I'll look into that thanks

[MagicalTrevor]

hufggfg said:

ARDS tests only cost £250 with MSV... roughly same cost as 1 trackday at some of those bigger circuits.

Just go get it done, will be a LOT less hassle.

Thanks, food for thought. Although it's £250 plus the £100 MSA Pack. It's still much cheaper than other places but it still smarts that is have to pay that just to test. I also have no intention of circuit racing!

[Steve H]

Very few TDOs run sessions so I suspect you will struggle to get a solution there.

[andy97]

I suspect that the cheapest circuit for doing your ARDS rest is Mallory Park with the Motorsports School. You can then test your single seater in one of their monthly (?) morning text sessions for about £120.

Another alternative is to hire Curborough sprint circuit on a Wednesday morning. I'm not sure of the cost, though.

[BertBert]

andylaurence said:

I have a competition licence that allows me to compete in a Formula 1 car should I wish. I have no desire to do circuit racing. I refuse to pay money and take the time to pass a test that lets me compete in a different discipline just so I can do a test day at a venue where the outright lap record is held by someone who has the same licence as me. I am allowed to compete, but not to test WTF?!

But if I have understood you right (sprint not race?), you haven't demonstrated your capability to be on circuit with other cars. Might be a daft notion for you and your experience, but surely the circuits have an obligation to ensure that?

Bert

[hufggfg]

BertBert said:

But if I have understood you right (sprint not race?), you haven't demonstrated your capability to be on circuit with other cars. Might be a daft notion for you and your experience, but surely the circuits have an obligation to ensure that?

Bert

Yep that's exactly what I was thinking. Entirely understand its frustrating, but that's the way licencing in all things works. The £350 (once you factor in the MSA pack) is a drop in the ocean compared to any other costs of motorsport, and is barely more than a trackday. I get that's its annoying, but I think you're blowing it out of proportion a bit.

[MagicalTrevor]

hufggfg said:

Yep that's exactly what I was thinking. Entirely understand its frustrating, but that's the way licencing in all things works. The £350 (once you factor in the MSA pack) is a drop in the ocean compared to any other costs of motorsport, and is barely more than a trackday. I get that's its annoying, but I think you're blowing it out of proportion a bit.

I appreciate that I AM blowing it out of proportion, but I'd point out that £350 is >10% of my annual budget (to put it into context) however nobody said motorsport was cheap!

It's more that I'm used to being able to go around Castle Combe on a test day (without needing ARDS) and I just assumed that it would be the same elsewhere.

I will consider the licence and £350 is certainly way cheaper than £600 at Silverstone

[hufggfg]

Yeah, the hugely expensive testing at Silverstone is a bit ridiculous really. Way to encourage people to get involved in motorsports!

[88racing]

Do you really have to buy the MSA pack? The Blue Book and license application form are both on their website. What else do you need?

I did my ARDS and Bedford: £250 - and I got extra tuition.

Chris.

[MagicalTrevor]

88racing said:

Do you really have to buy the MSA pack? The Blue Book and license application form are both on their website. What else do you need?

I did my ARDS and Bedford: £250 - and I got extra tuition.

Chris.

I'd be interested to know whether it's required. All the guides suggest I do though.

[88racing]

I guess if you turn up to the test day without the box, they might ask why. But what's in the box that you need? You can learn what you need to for the theory test just as well from the PDF as from the print copy.

Chris.

[Graham]

|I thought the only way to get the ards form that the examiner completes was through the pack.. you can get licence application for the actual licence and renewal but can you get the ards form online.

[geeks]

Might be worth a chat with the MSA I am sure as an MSA Open Licence holder a Nat B is an upgrade (well test) away, it might be worth checking to see how that works.. So you may not need the go racing pack to get it done. I recently did my ARDS at Donington for £250!

[Richair]

MagicalTrevor said:

88racing said:

Do you really have to buy the MSA pack? The Blue Book and license application form are both on their website. What else do you need?

I did my ARDS and Bedford: £250 - and I got extra tuition.

Chris.

I'd be interested to know whether it's required. All the guides suggest I do though.

I ran into this earlier this year; I already had a Non-race Nat B and was going for my ARDS so I called the MSA to check and their response was you have to buy one. So I have two licences this year... But if you time it right maybe you won't need to buy a Non-race Nat A next year as I think all ARDS licences sit above speed/non-race licenses?..