February - ARDS Day - what a birthday
Well I had my first experience into the world of motor racing with the introduction of the ARDS test.
On Wed 15 February, I turned up at Castle Combe ready for a day which was all about me stepping into the motor racing world.
I had stayed at the Castle INN in castle Combe the night before, with my wife and Daughter (well it was Valentines, half term and my birthday on the 15th so leaving them out would not have been good for my health). I cannot recommend the Castle Inn place highly enough, very friendly staff, good food and extremely comfortable accommodation.
Paul Hagan stopped in the same hotel and kindly took me to Castle Comb in his newly produced Caterham so that my wife and daughter could have a lay in, and leave the hotel for Bristol Zoo when they felt like it..
Firstly we were askled to sign in, allocated with groups (split into 4 colour coded groups) and then given a nice caterham laptop bag with the circuit guide for all UK circuits.
From there we had some friendly banter with the other drivers, a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich, closely follwed with a friendly chat by Jenny, and Simon from Caterham, and then by the chief instructor of the day.
Into the Groups - 1) The lecture
My first group was an introduction to the motor racing rules, and the Caterham class specific rules. This involved a lecture, from Caterham and the Caterham scrutineer (sorry i cannot remember the guy's name).
So there were items such as what you had to do to complete the car (sealing the boot, putting the number in front of the grille, brether bottles etc). Adjusting and fitting the seatbelts, the arm restraints.
There were also discussions on how a race meeting runs, what scrutineering involves, and why it is important to have scrutineering.
Into the Groups - 2) The skid panWe Climbed into our cars (thank you Tim for the Lift across to the skid pan location) and headed off to the skid pan, for some playing in some BMW's around a waisted 8 circuit.
This took the format of us climbing into two cars and driving around the wet silicone’d track and dealing with the "under steer and over steer" that the cars (and our driving) produced, all the time being watched by the instructors on the side.
We then had a quick talk on the differences of under steer and over steer and how to correct and avoid the affects they cause, followed by another trip around the track.
After that we started some avoidance techniques, with skidding, brake release and steering techniques and then cadence braking.
The whole experience on the skid pan was great fun, and it is always good to review the techniques i suspect i will need to use in the caterham in order to avoid the walls and Armco around some circuits.
Into the Groups - 3) After lunch - The Video and initial circuit driveWell following lunch we had a presentation of the first half of the video that is supplied with the MSA pack, followed by a tour around castle Combe with the instructor for the day. Over about 5 laps John talked us through the circuit, and what was expected of us when we drove, all the time talking and getting faster around the circuit.
After the run around the three people in John's car were given an order, in which we would each take turns to drive the circuit individually with John. I was up last, so spent the next 1/2 hour chatting to the other drivers.
My turn finally came and the 1-1 drive involved me (and my nice new crash helmet) getting in the car and starting to proceed onto the circuit. Initially John talked me through each of the laps, on braking, turn-in points and racing line, giving pointers on what and when to do things. slowly the instructions become less and then he informed me that he would not say anything else and he would observe my driving.... and then it was all over and we were heading back to the pits.
Well since I did not spin, i was in with a good chance of passing (a spin is an instant fail). we sat in the car and I was informed that i had passed that pass of the test, and we then discussed Quarry corner, as that was the one that i did not get right, although i came close.
Into the Groups - 4) The medical and testFollowing the circuit drive came the medical (here is a hint, don’t go to the toilet before the circuit drive, or you may not be able to provide the sample).... lol
Medical was not a major issue it involved a nice doctor, a cold stethoscope, a blood pressure test and warm cup of urine.
Next cam the written test, preceded by the second half of the MSA video. Basically there is a section on the flags, in which you have to name them all, then there is a multiple choice set of questions in two sections, Safety and General. To pass you have to get 100% of the Flag section, and on the Safety section and you are allowed a maximum of 2 wrong answers in the General section.
One more chat and brief discussion from Jenny and a presentation of the score sheets for those that had passed.
Time to go home. and a good day was had by all.... !!!
Overall it is a great way to spend your birthday... fun all the way round, and an achievement into the bargain !!
On Wed 15 February, I turned up at Castle Combe ready for a day which was all about me stepping into the motor racing world.
I had stayed at the Castle INN in castle Combe the night before, with my wife and Daughter (well it was Valentines, half term and my birthday on the 15th so leaving them out would not have been good for my health). I cannot recommend the Castle Inn place highly enough, very friendly staff, good food and extremely comfortable accommodation.
Paul Hagan stopped in the same hotel and kindly took me to Castle Comb in his newly produced Caterham so that my wife and daughter could have a lay in, and leave the hotel for Bristol Zoo when they felt like it..
Firstly we were askled to sign in, allocated with groups (split into 4 colour coded groups) and then given a nice caterham laptop bag with the circuit guide for all UK circuits.
From there we had some friendly banter with the other drivers, a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich, closely follwed with a friendly chat by Jenny, and Simon from Caterham, and then by the chief instructor of the day.
Into the Groups - 1) The lecture
My first group was an introduction to the motor racing rules, and the Caterham class specific rules. This involved a lecture, from Caterham and the Caterham scrutineer (sorry i cannot remember the guy's name).
So there were items such as what you had to do to complete the car (sealing the boot, putting the number in front of the grille, brether bottles etc). Adjusting and fitting the seatbelts, the arm restraints.
There were also discussions on how a race meeting runs, what scrutineering involves, and why it is important to have scrutineering.
Into the Groups - 2) The skid panWe Climbed into our cars (thank you Tim for the Lift across to the skid pan location) and headed off to the skid pan, for some playing in some BMW's around a waisted 8 circuit.
This took the format of us climbing into two cars and driving around the wet silicone’d track and dealing with the "under steer and over steer" that the cars (and our driving) produced, all the time being watched by the instructors on the side.
We then had a quick talk on the differences of under steer and over steer and how to correct and avoid the affects they cause, followed by another trip around the track.
After that we started some avoidance techniques, with skidding, brake release and steering techniques and then cadence braking.
The whole experience on the skid pan was great fun, and it is always good to review the techniques i suspect i will need to use in the caterham in order to avoid the walls and Armco around some circuits.
Into the Groups - 3) After lunch - The Video and initial circuit driveWell following lunch we had a presentation of the first half of the video that is supplied with the MSA pack, followed by a tour around castle Combe with the instructor for the day. Over about 5 laps John talked us through the circuit, and what was expected of us when we drove, all the time talking and getting faster around the circuit.
After the run around the three people in John's car were given an order, in which we would each take turns to drive the circuit individually with John. I was up last, so spent the next 1/2 hour chatting to the other drivers.
My turn finally came and the 1-1 drive involved me (and my nice new crash helmet) getting in the car and starting to proceed onto the circuit. Initially John talked me through each of the laps, on braking, turn-in points and racing line, giving pointers on what and when to do things. slowly the instructions become less and then he informed me that he would not say anything else and he would observe my driving.... and then it was all over and we were heading back to the pits.
Well since I did not spin, i was in with a good chance of passing (a spin is an instant fail). we sat in the car and I was informed that i had passed that pass of the test, and we then discussed Quarry corner, as that was the one that i did not get right, although i came close.
Into the Groups - 4) The medical and testFollowing the circuit drive came the medical (here is a hint, don’t go to the toilet before the circuit drive, or you may not be able to provide the sample).... lol
Medical was not a major issue it involved a nice doctor, a cold stethoscope, a blood pressure test and warm cup of urine.
Next cam the written test, preceded by the second half of the MSA video. Basically there is a section on the flags, in which you have to name them all, then there is a multiple choice set of questions in two sections, Safety and General. To pass you have to get 100% of the Flag section, and on the Safety section and you are allowed a maximum of 2 wrong answers in the General section.
One more chat and brief discussion from Jenny and a presentation of the score sheets for those that had passed.
Time to go home. and a good day was had by all.... !!!
Overall it is a great way to spend your birthday... fun all the way round, and an achievement into the bargain !!