So I have booked in my ARDS test next month finally after talking about it for the last ten thousand years.

I know there are a few of people on here who have it, so if they have any advice other than the usual 'It's not a test of your speed, it's a test of your awareness' it'd be great.

Also, how much did you pay for your medical exam? I'm being quoted £95 which seems a bit steep to have my blood pressure and heart rate taken.

 

You forgot the fisting. £95 is quite cheap for that.

Have they introduced the medical for everyone now? I was quite offended when I saw I'd have to have one.

 

Yes I did forget about the fisting. I have been told the exam will take about 20 mins so that's £285/hr.

Yep, everyone has to have a medical if you want a race license. If you want a competition license (sprinting etc), you don't need a medical.

 

I went to my doctors for a medical. He was an old school doctor in a village surgery and only charged me £40.

 

My GP did my medical - £20.

For the written test, all the answers are on the DVD in the Go Racing pack. Ensure you know all your flags, you'll fail if you don't.

Where are you doing the test? Mine was at Silverstone in horrendous weather, instructor wasn't interested in speed just awareness, lines and whether I'd listened to him during his sighting laps.

 

Thanks guys, it did sound expensive. I'll try and find it somewhere else.

Rich, yeah the flags I already know from my love of motorsport in general. Doesn't mean I'll be complacent though and I'll watch the DVD. Probably the same from when I watched it 5 years ago! Yeah it seems to be the case that speed isn't that big of a factor. Ok, so it's not going to be driving Miss Daisy, but after riding my bike in the wind rain and snow for almost a couple of years now, driving a car fast in the same conditions is an absolute doddle. Good tip about listening to him regarding the lines he recommends though
The test is at Outlon a track which I know but have only actually driven few laps on! TBH, from your advice, probably for the best as I'll be more inclined to take those recommended lines rather than my own line.

 

I also did mine at Oulton. It is pretty straight forward. I had never even done a trackday before. As as been said, awareness is most important. There were some fast Ginettas out at the same time as me and they came up quickly! Otherwise, smooth inputs are the key, better to brake a little earlier and get a nice smooth exit - act like you are in control!

As for the medical, I had mine done at my GP for free - from the other replies, I guess I was lucky!

 

Get your helmet cam on. And RANT

 

About time!

As others have said, it's not difficult. Know your flags, be aware pf other track users (I had single seaters on my ARDS, I was in a 1.6 Focus at Combe so I talked through what I could see behind so the instructor knew I was aware of them) but most of all, don't put even a wheel off and whatever you do, don't spin.

Oh and at the grand old age of 46, I now have to have another medical to make sure I'm not going to die on track, now required every two years, just about to call the GP and find out how much they want for it (last one was free back in 1998).

 

Sorry for not contributing to this thread but I am following a self imposed ban from forums.

Anyway had my ARDS today and passed

My breakdown of it:

You are given fair warning to get prepped and shown the video of which ALL the answers to the questions will come from.

Of the first 20, you cannot get any wrong, so if you haven't watched the video before, pay attention to it!

Barring that, it's pretty straight forwrad.

Onto the practical:

I was doing mine at Oulton Park, a track I have never actually driven around in a Puegeot RCZR.

A bit about the car Nice steering, great seats and the diff works very well. Brakes are overservoed so I couldn't get a good feel and the vertical displacement between brake and throttle meant heel & toe wasn't ideal to begin with. Engine is nice and turbo torquey though.

Moving back to the test, you are taken out by the instructor for a few laps to show you the lines and he explains the format of the 'exam'.

After that, you get in the car and he again tells you the lines. Quite a lot to take in whilst you are trying to get used to the car! He again explains that there will be two laps where the grading will take place and that I will receive no 'tuition'.

I initially found it difficult to drive a 'mediocre pace' and couldn't get into a rhythm in the car. Still it was a decent enough experience and I ended up treating it like driving to the shop and felt a lot more comfortable!