How to get started on your racing career

Tuesday, 26 October 2010 09:25

So you’ve decided that you like the idea of speeding around a track on your weekends but don’t know what the next step is. Let me help you.

Firstly, go to a track day. There are plenty of companies that will take cars to track days for potential customers to test as you never know you might be petrified when you’re behind the wheel. Once you have decided that racing is for you the next step is to get a race licence.

Before you can get a race licence you much first purchase a ‘Go Racing’ starter pack from the MSA (Motorsports Association). These packs cost around £57 (October 2010) and include a DVD on racing, a copy of the MSA Competitors Yearbook (known as the ‘Bluebook’) and the all important application form. Pay attention to the DVD as it will give you valuable information about basic rules and flag signals. My advice is to watch the DVD several times, read the book several times and research as much as you can.

Once you have purchased your pack it’s time to book your ARDs course. This is a half or full day MSA course for novice drivers run by members of the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS). On the day you will be taken out on the track, shown the correct lines and what happens if you take the wrong lines. After this comes the assessment. It is not about how fast you can drive but whether you can handle the car and are in full control of different situations. If you can show this you have passed the practical aspect of the test and all being well the next step is the written portion of the day. This is where all the research and revision before the day pays off. The written paper is a series of multiple choice questions and required some element of common sense as well as racing knowledge. If you pass this and the practical elements you have passed the course and have nearly completed the application process. For certified ARDs members please visit www.ards.co.uk. Depending on the school you choose, this course can cost you upwards of £300.

Now all you need to do is send off your application form with the £51 licence fee. If you are over 18, you will need to obtain a medical certificate from your doctor to send with your application. Within a few weeks you will have your licence and you can start racing. Remember you will need a hard copy of your licence before you can race as you will need to show it when you sign on at every race meeting.

Whether you decide to go down the ‘arrive and drive’ option or buy your own car, you are guaranteed to have eventful weekends throughout the year and see parts of the country you may never had gone to before. By Samantha McVey

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