Ards at Brands & driver Tuition (merged)

amier · 14 May 2007, 08:49 (Ref:1912937)

Im about to book my ARDS course, just wanted to know what the Brands circuit is like to learn, as I have never been there. Anywhere I can find out about braking points and lines etc?

Also for the theory, I know I need to know the flags inside out, but what other things should I read up on? any tips pointers would be appreciated.

**touringlegend** · 14 May 2007, 09:21 (Ref:1912957)

I can't help you on the circuit side, but on the theory part, after the flags the questions really are common sense / general motorsport knowledge.

For example one of the questions I got was along the lines of:

You drop your helmet and it cracks, what should you do ?

A - Keep on using it, it won't matter
B - Try and cover up the cracks and sell it to another competitor
C - Dispose of it and buy a new one immediately

etc..

tristancliffe · 14 May 2007, 10:40 (Ref:1913017)

Brands (Indy) isn't hard to learn sufficiently for ARDS. They'll show you lines and braking points, and tutor you a bit, so do not worry about this. You'll be so far off the ultimate pace of the car that you won't have to worry about anything. Be smooth, do NOT spin and you'll be fine!

As for the theory, touringlegend has it right. Flags are important, but everything else is straightforward and common sense. Resist the urge to tick the obviously comic answers, and a sense of humour isn't taken into account during marking!!!!

You'll be surprised how easy an ARDS is, so don't worry yourself.

**Adam43** · 16 May 2007, 20:33 (Ref:1914926)

To backup what has been said above.
I suggest purposely not having any preconceived ideas about lines before going. Listen to the instructor, he'll know the car, the circuit and he'll be testing you. It is more important to show you can drive smoothly and in full control by doing what the instructor says. You can always get it wrong later if you like.

It is a brilliant day, enjoy it and soak up information from others there.

Rockmunky · 1 Jun 2007, 23:52 (Ref:1926614)

So i guess, if you spin, that's pretty much curtains as far as getting your licence is concerned?

**Adam43** · 2 Jun 2007, 10:27 (Ref:1926766)

Pretty much, and so it should be!

amier · 8 Jun 2007, 13:15 (Ref:1932281)

Anyone here offers any driver tuition/coaching? How much do you charge and what is the format?

Cheers

R59 · 9 Jun 2007, 20:49 (Ref:1933456)

Where's Simon Mason hiding these days....

Suze · 9 Jun 2007, 20:58 (Ref:1933467)

Eugene O'Brien seems to advertise in most magazines, but never used him nor know anyone who has.

**BertMk2** · 9 Jun 2007, 21:04 (Ref:1933472)

Lots of track days will have race drivers available to give tuition - certainly the case at Lydden, I guess other circuits offer similar?

GORDON STREETER · 9 Jun 2007, 21:46 (Ref:1933508)

amier Click on to my profile and then click on threads started by me and pick up the thread on "what makes one driver better than another"
It may give you some pointers.

steveng · 11 Jun 2007, 11:18 (Ref:1933844)

A few years ago Eugene O'Brien turned up at a race meeting I was at. He was there with one of his 'pupils'. One of the rent a car entrants offered him one of his spare cars that he just happened to have at the circuit (Cadwell). Eugene immediately put it on pole. I was watching..It was easy, he just used the brakes less and the throttle more!
The best guys in our series are no Fernando Alonso but they aren't bad racers but he made them look pretty ordinary. As far as I can remember Eugene wasn't even a particularly successful touring car driver...I guess he must have something useful to impart.

terence · 11 Jun 2007, 11:30 (Ref:1933860)

Plus the fact that it could possibly cost in the region of £1,000,if the gossip is to be belived.Thats for one day,s tuition.

**BertMk2** · 11 Jun 2007, 12:20 (Ref:1933927)

Quote:

Originally Posted by terence bower

Plus the fact that it could possibly cost in the region of £1,000,if the gossip is to be belived.Thats for one day,s tuition.

Seriously? You can certainly get instruction for far less than that.

terence · 11 Jun 2007, 12:40 (Ref:1933949)

I,m only going by what i,ve been told,but that does include a DVD on all of you,re mistakes though!. I was up Silverstone sometime last year,Eugene did not have a very good day though,the car came back on a truck!I think the customer has looked at his DVD several times since.

jonners · 11 Jun 2007, 16:00 (Ref:1934133)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Seriously? You can certainly get instruction for far less than that.

Mrs Jonners, on occasion, dishes out very clear instructions for free...

mark roberts · 11 Jun 2007, 21:11 (Ref:1934411)

Another vote for Simon Mason.

amier · 14 Jun 2007, 20:58 (Ref:1937190)

Yep, did my ARDS today and passed no problems

... I think I will try and get some tuition sorted out before I enter any races... as I dont have much race experience, only did a few school races back in 99.

R59 · 15 Jun 2007, 19:16 (Ref:1937897)

www.simonmason.com

Tell him Rob Compton sent you! (that might end up costing you more though...!!!)

I'd offer my services, but I'm having some grief getting my ARDS Instructors licence renewed (still!)

Rob.

R59 · 15 Jun 2007, 19:50 (Ref:1937910)

Talk to Simon Mason - he's the man! www.simonmason.com

Rob.

amier · 15 Jun 2007, 21:04 (Ref:1937947)

As I dont have a race car, I think the logical thing for me is to book an open pit track day and do that. I shall contact him and ask him for rates

**Tim Falce** · 15 Jun 2007, 21:19 (Ref:1937956)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amier

Yep, did my ARDS today and passed no problems

... I think I will try and get some tuition sorted out before I enter any races... as I dont have much race experience, only did a few school races back in 99.

Congratulations. How much track time have you had, racing or track days? If it's not much then it may be better for you to do some track days and use the instructors that will be on hand. This will give you some idea of racing lines, braking and car craft etc and will be a lot cheaper than hiring a personal coach straight away.
When you have had a bit of practice then go to proper private tuition.
IMO you don't need someone who will be expensive to teach you the basics.

As both your threads were going the same way I have merged them.

amier · 15 Jun 2007, 21:54 (Ref:1937979)

Thanks dude..yep I combined it with a track day, I did about 6 or 7 laps in my GTR just to get a feel of the track learn the basic lines, braking points etc and went into the Megan with the ARDS instructor and did the test he told me to do 3 or 4 unprompted laps and he was happy with it.

Paddock Hill bend is the only corner Im still finding a bit tricky on braking and approach, mid corner and exit are fine. I thought the corners from Surtees to Clearways would be harder, but I managed to get the hang of those...

**Tim Falce** · 15 Jun 2007, 22:01 (Ref:1937983)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amier

Paddock Hill bend is the only corner Im still finding a bit tricky on braking and approach, mid corner and exit are fine. I thought the corners from Surtees to Clearways would be harder, but I managed to get the hang of those...

Errr, don't worry, I've been racing 6 or 7 years and I still find new and interesting lines and braking points for Brands and every other circuit I go to.

GORDON STREETER · 16 Jun 2007, 00:03 (Ref:1938051)

amier I've been racing a "little" bit longer and when I get the hang of a track they go and alter it !

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
tuition	watson	Racers Forum	9	30 Jun 2005 19:07
Best Looking Driver/Francesca..... I got your driver! (merged)	Francesca	National & International Single Seaters	227	26 May 2003 13:24