Get Started in Motorsport

The ARDS Assessment

Before jumping straight into the heat of competition, it is a good idea to get a taste of driving a car at speed around a circuit. The best way to do this is to visit your local racing school.

It is important to find a school which is a registered member of the Association of Racing Drivers Schools, also known as ARDS.

These schools all feature experienced instructors who will be able to assist you with getting up to speed on track in a safe manner. You will also be able to sit your practical examination at one of these schools, something which is necessary to obtain your racing licence.

Choose a Championship

The range of options available to anyone looking to participate in circuit racing is incredibly diverse. Firstly, there is the type of car you are looking to race, including single seaters, saloon cars and GTs. Then there is the format of racing you are wanting to compete in such as sprint or endurance races. You might also want to decide if you want to race modern cars or historics, as there are specific championships which cater for each.

Once you have an idea of what type of circuit racing you may want to get involved in, you will then need to identify a particular championship to enter. Many racing clubs will feature the various championship which they organise on their websites. From here, you will be able to shortlist some of your favourites which catch your eye.

Armed with this information, the next step is to attend an event where these championships are racing. This will give you a good understanding of how the events are run, what the racing is like and provide you with an opportunity to speak with competitors to find out their views on the championship.

When you have made a decision on which championship to enter, you can think about sourcing your car. You may be able to either purchase an existing car or, if the series allows, you can opt to build one yourself. Don’t forget, there are also likely arrive-and-drive options available which is a great way to get started before you commit to purchasing or building a car.

The pinnacle of circuit racing within the UK are the various British national championships. These championships feature some of the best drivers in the country and cover a variety of disciplines including Touring Cars, GT cars, single seaters and even trucks.

As these championships carry the prestigious opportunity of becoming the British title holder, the competition is extremely fierce. Typically, these championships feature drivers who have many years of racing experience under their belt and, as such, are not recommended for drivers first entering the world of motorsport. However, they present a worthwhile goal for any aspirational drivers to aim for.

Jargon Buster

As with any new passion, the world of circuit racing comes with it’s own phrases and sayings. Get to grips with some of the basics below:

ARDS – Association of Racing Driver Schools. Can also refer to the ‘ARDS Test’ aka the novice driver training course which must be completed before obtaining a race competition licence.

Assembly Area – Area where cars assemble in grid order before heading out on track.

Ballast – Non functional material added to increase vehicle weight

Paddock/Pits – An area provided by the organisers for competitors for the purpose of servicing competing vehicles

Parc Ferme – Secure area where vehicles must wait after a race. Technical checks may be carried out to ensure vehicles still meet requirements.

Pit Lane – Access lane off the circuit that allows competing vehicles with access to and from the pits/paddock.

Transponder – A timing device attached to your vehicle that records your times as you pass sensors in the track. You can purchase your own or loan these from timekeepers at the event.