Becoming an ARDS instructor?

[graeme]

I've vaguely looked at this in the past, but any tips on becoming an ARDS instructor? (Wanting to do a little bit now & then, rather than a full-time career...).

[Stuart H]

I would ring one of the racing schools.
I've thought about doing it my self but i'm only in my second year and not a good raing driver!! lol

[graeme]

I've tried my local circuit before - but don't really want to be tied to "working" for a particular track

[terence]

Go along to Silverstone or Mallory,they will examine your capability as an instructor,if you measure up they will then rubber stamp you to say that you are good enough to be an instructor,you then apply to the MSA for your license.

[Peter Mallett]

You need to be licensed?

[terence]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

You need to be licensed?

Ahwr YES,and you can only be licensed by a participating School.

[N.A-D.R]

what does a ARDS instructor do?

[terence]

Basicly ,instruct/assess an individuals capabilitys,and make sure they are safe enough to be granted a race license.

[R59]

You sometimes get to sit inside a car (on an experience or corporate day) with someone who clearly should not have a road traffic licence, and you have to be very nice and pleasant and "help" them enjoy their drive (without getting yourself, them, or anyone else killed or injured).

It's great fun.

Graeme, if you want to be a more "journeyman" instructor, then Mallory may be your best bet. Other schools like you to be more loyal, and Silverstone will charge you for their assessment of you before "sponsoring" you.

Silverstone is often seen as the more "prestige" ticket, and not forgetting that Palmersport does not support ARDS at Brands/Oulton/Snetterton/Cadwell.

N.A-D.R - ARDS=Association of Racing Drivers School.

[terence]

Spot on Rob,from memory Silverstone used to charge £250 for the assessment,more people who did not want to work there passed than those who did though!

[BlackHawk]

Hello,guys.In order to obtain Instructor License C level I must have taken part in 10 races.Do those 10 races have to be in the UK or I can do them in Bulgaria?Thank you

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by R59

Silverstone is often seen as the more "prestige" ticket, and not forgetting that Palmersport does not support ARDS at Brands/Oulton/Snetterton/Cadwell.

Somewhat late in the day, and only because the previous poster has revived the thread......but I did my Ards test at Oulton in 2008......

Didn't do any training, though (which may be what R59 was referring to....

and frankly if you fail the Ards test you should be banned from driving for a year, IMHO......its a farce, solely designed to make money - so far as I could see.......

[Richy_Rich]

The ARDS tests is and should be (relatively) easy to pass, surely the idea is to get more people involved in motorsport?

There didn't even used to be that, it's relatively recent and only (I think) applies to circuit racing.

The instructors stuff I don't know about. I know some people who couldn't drive a soapy stick up their bum who have an ards instructors license and equally, I know some people who could probably win the spa 24hr in a trabant who don't.

I would say, though, that if you want to get the license - do it in the UK. It'll cost you a few hundred quid, max. Here in France, to get the equivalent is in the thousands of euros (really!).

[terence]

Originally Posted by Richy_Rich

The ARDS tests is and should be (relatively) easy to pass, surely the idea is to get more people involved in motorsport?

There didn't even used to be that, it's relatively recent and only (I think) applies to circuit racing.

The instructors stuff I don't know about. I know some people who couldn't drive a soapy stick up their bum who have an ards instructors license and equally, I know some people who could probably win the spa 24hr in a trabant who don't.

I would say, though, that if you want to get the license - do it in the UK. It'll cost you a few hundred quid, max. Here in France, to get the equivalent is in the thousands of euros (really!).

I know of some 'instructors' who had only competed in three/four races before going for their License and getting it rubber stamped by Silverstone!!!
Sorry,but personally I do not think that to be enough experience!

[Club MSV]

The ARDS website has all the information about which is required for each licence. See http://www.ards.co.uk/licence/license_grades.asp

This also might be of help: http://www.clubmsv.com/car-home/ards/ards-instructor-course.aspx

[svenlock68]

Hi to all,as a few people i come across at work (now and again) are trackday instructors as a part timer,I'm interested in ARDS etc,i have no problem with the time off/money to do the initial ARDS at Oulton park (my nearest) but the problem is i DONT have race car,even novice,to build up the near year of novice racing or so many "race seasons" needed to be put foward for ARDS instructor.
Ok it shows a good high standard to get ARDS licence,fair enough,but how do you get race experience without a decent car....renting for novice racing is SO expensive and id work for free as a staff member at a trackday but do 'paid for' "race clubs " exist where you can use their cars??? basically to gain experience without the massive costs.
I realise that the markets flooded with people who do it but i like racing and id love to improve my skills.Ive done trackdays all over the country.Any advice please for a newbie?

[terence]

Sven,there is no easy/cheap way to gain experience,as with [most] things we enjoy,it cost's us all.Sure,if you are good enough and have those 'special' friends who just happen to own a race car and need a driver------------.
I wish you luck and hope you manage you'r goal,but,it aint easy

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by svenlock68

Ive done trackdays all over the country.Any advice please for a newbie?

ER.....don't do "trackdays all over the country", and use the money towards a race car instead? In our series (Future Classics) and I believe in other series it isn't uncommon for people to drive their race car to the circuit, compete and drive it home again, so it is possible to race on a comparatively small budget. A trackday costs what? - £100+, plus the wear and tear on tyres etc, and the cost of getting to the circuits, so instead of 3 trackdays you could probably do one race.

The only way you can possibly become experienced enough to become an instructor is to get racing miles under your belt, and there aren't any shortcuts to that, I'm afraid. Would you want to have an instructor who had no more experience than you?

[pete21]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Basicly ,instruct/assess an individuals capabilitys,and make sure they are safe enough to be granted a race license.

Only "S" Grade instructors can undertake & sign off the novice driver ARDS tests. It takes many many years of Instructor experience to gain the "S" Grade qualification.

[terence]

Yes, thanks Pete,I am aware of that,just trying to give an 'overal' idea on what to expect from the part time role.

[svenlock68]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

ER.....don't do "trackdays all over the country", and use the money towards a race car instead? In our series (Future Classics) and I believe in other series it isn't uncommon for people to drive their race car to the circuit, compete and drive it home again, so it is possible to race on a comparatively small budget. A trackday costs what? - £100+, plus the wear and tear on tyres etc, and the cost of getting to the circuits, so instead of 3 trackdays you could probably do one race.

The only way you can possibly become experienced enough to become an instructor is to get racing miles under your belt, and there aren't any shortcuts to that, I'm afraid. Would you want to have an instructor who had no more experience than you?

****************
I DO realise that doing trackdays isnt the route,i DIDNT pay for them anyway (elvington,stafford,three sisters,prestwold hall) its just started my interest to learn more.....i never said it wasnt a high standard or wanted a lower one for ARDS instructors,its just the cost of running another car is alot (i mean insurance is gona pan you if youre track-racing) Being new i thought there might be "racing clubs" where you use a generic car for a club-fee but OK they dont exist. Ive got to weigh up the 2nd car cost for racing against the poss' two years it'll take plus the fees to say MSV in oulton park etc.
MSV charge approx £120 a day for full novice days,so times that by ten for your signatures then £250 ards initial plus £300 for instructors licence test PLUS all the second racing car costs.......its thousands really aint it ! ******************************

[terence]

£300 for the ARDS License? Where did that come from Sven?
Sorry to repeat myself,but,racing is not cheap,certainly hasn't been during the ** years I've been racing for.[Have been lucky along the way though]
If its something you REALLY want,you'll find a way to do it,once again,I wish you luck.

[svenlock68]

If you have a look at CLUB MSV at oulton park (my nearest track) its actually £315 in november for the ARDS advanced course this year. A novice track day per car is £139 etc etc theres a host of prices,the basic bog standard starter ARDS novice is £250. I dont think ive overpriced it. I'll have a think,im a fireman so being an ARDS wont be my bread and butter and i have the time off and at least abit of money to do courses,but i do realise its a money pit earner for course/race-park owners.

[MGDavid]

the ARDS test is £250. The £315 course you quote does not include the ARDS test, it's unclearly worded but basically it's a Track driving course with an alternative name to make it sound attractive to inexperienced racers as well as trackday drivers.

[svenlock68]

So does that mean the initial "easy" one ,that people say is relatively easy to pass in a day ,is ALL you need before getting ten signatures or is the 'advanced instructor ' one at the end of a years racing seasons not needed? their ad for the ARDS instructor one looks like the right one....what you need to pass.I'm getting confused now ??