ARDS Test

[luckman]

Right I have finally booked my ARDS Test for a couple of weeks time. I have received the video and other material in the MSA pack. Is there anything anybody thinks I should pay particular attention to? Are there common failure issues that I should watch our for? I really have no idea what to expect and would appreciate any helpful advice!

[Chris Y]

Make sure you know your flags. Very very well.

Don't try and drive like the Stig at the ARDS, just drive smoothly and safely.

[Lancsbreaker]

As said above.....certainly know your flags.....most of the rest of the written test is multi-choice, and about as testing as the average advertising "Quiz" - ie the correct answer is blindingly obvious. In the car, listen to and watch the instrctor on the intro laps, and then put into practice what he said...don't try to impress with your racing skills, just keep it neat and tidy.

I've heard of some places that conduct ARDS tests whilst other punters are circulating on trackday sessions - which is poor in my estimation, but if that happens to you, watch your mirrors, but don't be bullied off your line or panicked into any sudden moves - its their problem to pass you, and on a trackday that should only be on a straight - so let 'em go then.

Enjoy - you have to try really hard to fail an ARDS test......

[MMC Andy]

I spun on mine richard - had to re-take the same day!!

Yes, know the flags inside out & the difference between stationaru & waved.

And just demostrate correct lines on the circuit. slow into corners, and slightly faster out should do it.

good luck!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

As said above.....certainly know your flags.....most of the rest of the written test is multi-choice, and about as testing as the average advertising "Quiz" - ie the correct answer is blindingly obvious. In the car, listen to and watch the instrctor on the intro laps, and then put into practice what he said...don't try to impress with your racing skills, just keep it neat and tidy.

Good advice.
Listen to the instructor, they will be trying to get you to pass the test. More than that, use their advise when you go racing.

I've heard of some places that conduct ARDS tests whilst other punters are circulating on trackday sessions - which is poor in my estimation, but if that happens to you, watch your mirrors, but don't be bullied off your line or panicked into any sudden moves - its their problem to pass you, and on a trackday that should only be on a straight - so let 'em go then.

An interesting point. For the same reason you cite, I think it is a good idea to do it with other cars circulating. One thing it should check is awareness of others. It should test you watch your mirrors, aren't worried and panicked into any sudden moves, and perhaps even appropriately courteous considering the situation of a track day.

Perhaps it should be made clear to other track users that people are taking the test. Although if they are driving to track day rules it shouldn't be a problem.

I'd not thought of this situation before. BTW I did do my test on a track day.

[JohnD]

ARDS tests at track days have been discused on 10/10ths and this forum before, esp. one person who was failed, because they found the pressure of much faster cars and more aggressive drivers too much. They were rightly, IMHO, aggrieved!

The rules on racing and track day driving are very different. The latter stipulate no overtaking on a corner, and overtaking on the left only, when racing doesn't say anything of the sort, and overtaking is often a factor of superior cornering skills. So the two are, IMHO, incompatible.

But for cost effectiveness tracks and schools will combine the two. I'd say that if a novice is faced with this, they should show their awareness of the conflict and say to the examiner, "I'm going to drive according to track day rules" (as above), that they will back off if they see a faster car approaching and will onky overtake if the car in front is clearly conceding. This cannot be a negative mark to the examiner and should show the novice to be a safe, aware driver, which is what the Test is all about.

John

[Adam43]

Good point on cost effectiveness. You could pay more to avoid this. I didn't think about it at the time, but I must have been happy to save some cash and combine with a track day.

Yes, track day and racing are very different. I agree with your last paragraph. Demonstrate awareness and consideration of the situation and you are doing exactly what the instructor is looking for. There is, IMHO, less pressure in someone being aggressive on a track day when they are clearly in the wrong.

[chunder]

Have to laugh at all this really.

I spent most of yesterday looking at starting racing this year and seeing about the costs involved.

I saw a lovely little Maestro on ebay that went for just over a grand, sounds great huh!


WRONG.

Ards test anything up to 300 quid! Quite why this is necessary all of a sudden I dont know, didnt we all manage perfectly for years without a bleeding MSA cash cow test?
Medical 50 quid, licence, I didnt even ask, club registration 100 quid depends where you go I guess!

OK the race gear I don't mind coz it stays with you for years God willing But you would be looking at 2-300 for a suit, gloves and boots maybe 50-1-- each and a lid for 200.

Entry fees to races, anything from 200 to 300 apparently !

I mean for Gods sake is it any wonder people dont race much anymore and track day?

I know each little bit has to make its money but it seems awfully expensive when you can buy the actual vehicle fairly cheap!

Oh did I also mention that I live in Stevenage, white van small business capital of the world where a garage costs you 11 quid a week to rent coz most of them are used by git white van men for plumbing/painting/cleaning storage and the council have cottoned on!

You have to love this country you really do!!

So track day it is in something, I would love to race but it simply is prohibitively expensive, and for my view for no apparent reason other than greed from a few places, not clubs, but circuits and the MSA.

Maybe going straight into is is a bad thing better to work your wat through track days, build up some gear and do it then?

But my initial delve was not very positive!!

[midgetman]

My take on the ARDS/ARKS test has always been along the lines of the inevitable court case in this litigious world. Jack Superstar has just been killed by Billy Noviceboy who drove like a **** and hit him under yellow flags. It would go something like:

Suing barrister: "So Mr MSA Chief, the accident happened when Billy novice was in his first race. What qualifications did he have to race?"

MSA Chief: "Well sir, he had a driving licence"

SB: "But what experience did he have of driving on a race track?"

MSAC: "Well he said he'd done it before"

SB: "Do you have any evidence of that? And what training did he have to get on the track? Do you know whether he understood the meaning of that yellow flag?"

Judge: "Case proven! A zillion pounds damages from MSA"

MSAC: "No worries m'lud, we'll just put up licence fees to finance it"

You get my drift. I have no beef with the principle of ARKS/ARDS/BARS w.h.y. per se, but the cost is a separate argument.

Last Saturday MiniMM was kart testing at Forest Edge. It's always good value to put down your tools and watch the "pre-ARKS" (unlicensed) drivers/bandits doing their sessions. Hilarious, basic, idiotic mistakes and you wouldn't want to be out there at the same time. At least the test proves you have a bit of experience, a bit of training, a bit of common sense.

[chunder]

Thing is, do you need to pass it to do hillcimbs, drag racing? Where you are not competing with others directly but do need to be aware of flags etc?

Or I am presuming you can do these as you could years ago on a sort of off road licence.

I think with top level drag racing you obviously need to pass certain tests so you cant just jump into a fueller!

Such a shame legal beagles have made racing a litle more expensive than it really needs to be, I understand it, as is always the case with these pathetic nanny state liberal rulings, but for Gods sake, the risk is already there after agreeing to do it, why?

Oh, 300 quid, now I understand. Lovely, rather a shame. Just means there are probably a few people out there who look at it and say, chuff you! And they would perhaps now be racing if it wasnt there

Tell you what they will be doing instead though eh!

[Chris Y]

This is a thread started by the OP asking advice about the ARDS test, it is NOT a thread for you to moan in about the cost of things in this country or the legal dealings of a large organisation, or any of the other axes you have to grind. Please take that to another thread.

[chunder]

Point taken, but I did talk about the damn test so i can't really see your problem

Or is that my username is chunder? lol

[JohnD]

Similar thread on Pistonheads. Poster comments on "7 of the 16 on my course failing" in 2008!
It used to be unheard of to fail! Almost.
Is it 'cos they is more strict, or 'coz more candidiates are idiots?
John

[GrahamH]

Looking back on my ARDS test at Donington, probably 10 years back, I'd second all the advice so far. Learn all the flags, drive smoothly and listen to the instructor.

I enjoyed my ARDS day, and got a few very useful tips from the friendly instructor.

There were other cars out, I think it was one of those "experience" days so a mix of saloons and single-seaters. The instructors managed the traffic very well.

Oh, and welcome to the world of competing!

[terence]

All things considered it should be down to the instructor to keep his client safe and out of trouble,usually taking the rear view mirror or left hand door mirror to check on rearward traffic. BUT,this does not mean the driver should forget about checking the mirrors available to him,it is his driving thats being assessed after all. Nurburgring is a fun place to do this on a public day!

[Hunter1300]

I did my ARDS at three sisters very good experience its a small track so you werent overwhelmed with the big circuits etc and there mass numbers coming through the gates

I actually was aloud to do a few extra laps because the instructor was apparently enjoying the ride! and there wasnt anyone else booked in for the day.

You dont need to put a qualifying lap in just drive quickly competently and most of all well within your personal limits which demonstrates you are 'safe'

As for the written test, as everyone else has said flags are important and then the rest is common sense with 'safety' in mind.