ARDS Courses
Currently Planned Dates for ARDS Tests at Teesside Autodrome:
- Thurday 12 June
- Friday 13 June
- Tuesday 17 June
- Thursday 19 June
We can also carry out ARDS Tests at Anglesey Circuit.
We run MSA Novice Driver Training Courses (more commonly know as ARDS Courses or ARDS Tests) for first-time Race Licence Applications, at Teesside Autodrome and Anglesey Circuit - call or email us for details of ARDS Tests at Anglesey! Check out the Teesside Racing Drivers School website: www.teessideraceschool.co.uk
We will be carrying out ARDS Courses at Teesside Autodrome until the end of September 2012 (subject to track, instructor and doctor availability)! We can usually provide a next day service on most weekdays for urgent first time race licence applications, including the medical examination! Please note! Don't just turn up on the advertised dates, you must still book it with us in advance as we can only do a certain number of tests in one day, and if we have no tests booked in we will not be there!
Teesside Autodrome became a member of the Association of Racing Driver's Schools (ARDS), on 18th November 2009 and has been operating as an ARDS Approved Racing Driver's School since then.
The MSA Novice Driver Training Course or ARDS Course (or test) must be completed by first time Race Licence applicants - in other words it is the driving test for racing drivers.
The ARDS Course at Teesside is priced at £250 for the course only, or we can also carry out the compulsory medical examination on site on the same day for an ll inclusive price of £300.
Before we can accept you on your ARDS Course you must first obtain the "Go Racing Starter Pack" from the Motor Sports Association at a cost of £65 including postage and VAT (we also have them in stock at the circuit for £63).
To sumarise the process in getting your first race licence:
- Get your Go Racing Starter Pack - £63
- Get your medical done either with your GP, it should cost from around £70, or let us arrange to do it for you for £50.
- Take your ARDS Course at Teesside Autodrome - £250 (or £300 including your medical)
- Apply for your Race National B Licence - £56 (2012 fee)
WHAT DOES THE ARDS COURSE INVOLVE?
The ARDS Course at Teesside Autodrome involves spending half a day with us where you will:
- Be briefed and given basic classroom instruction in circuit driving.
- Review the same 30 minute video supplied in the MSA Go Racing pack, to refresh your knowlege.
- Complete a written examination - questions based on the content of the video.
- Undergo miminal instruction in-car, on-track, followed by your assessement by an Instructor in-car on-track.
The ARDS Course is carried out to assess whether you are suitable to be granted an MSA Race National B Competition Licence (the first racing licence anyone can hold in the UK). It is designed essentially with safety in mind; both your safety, and perhaps more importantly, the safety of other competitors. It is NOT a talent scouting excercise, and no F1 team principles will be there looking for future employees.
As an applicant you will take a written test to assess your knowlege of the rules and regulations of motor racing in the UK, and your basic understanding of car dynamics. The practical assessment (on-track) will establish whether you have a sufficiently adequate concept of a racing line and where to place the car on the race track, where to brake, turn and accelerate; and whether you can do this in a smooth and safe manner; steering inputs, braking, gear-changing and power application techniques are all taken into account. The instructor does not want to see that you can drive better/faster than he can, how far sideways you can get the car or whether you can break the circuit's lap record. Locking wheels, spinning or any other erratic driving on the circuit would guarantee you failing the test and therefore be a waste of all your investment so far.
When you have successfully passed the ARDS Course your Licence Application Form will stamped with the racing school's official stamp and signed by an S Grade ARDS Instructor, it will then be forwarded to the Motor Sports Association along with your licence fee and you will receive your racing licence within approximately 14 days.
To arrange your ARDS Course either email us or telephone Howard on 07976 302759 or Tim on 07800 715450. www.teessideraceschool.co.uk
