Oulton Park – ARD’s

Did my ARDs test at Oulton Park yesterday using the long circuit– loved it. Was quite nervous in the end, but if you can pass it once and go racing you should be able to pass it again.

However ……. failed the first written paper! In section A, you are not allowed to get any questions wrong. I got one wrong! I was kicking myself! I had written ‘Union Jack’ and you needed to write ‘National Flag’. Ok, so I might be racing in a different country (if I’m ever lucky enough) I’m sat on the grid and the lights are suddenly not working so they have to use a flag. I’m sat waiting for the start but they don’t use a Union Jack but a Belgium flag instead. Don’t think I’m going to be sat there until they use a Union Jack! But never mind – I was able to take it again! The instructor even said at the beginning to name them as per the sheet. I’m a teacher – exam technique just wasn’t there!!!

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Anyway on to practical. Two guys went out before me and just jumped into the car (Vauxhall VX220). You get 3 laps instruction and 3 laps being assessed. I was getting really nervous because I had never driven around Oulton park. Suddenly the session is red flag, to find to my horror the guy before me had binned the car in the gravel trap and failed his ARD’s! Now I’m getting nervous! Next up was me. I hadn’t been on a circuit for 4 1/2 years so was rusty especially driving a car I didn’t know how it would handle (and the brakes had locked up causing the last driver to go in the gravel). I just wanted to drive around and pass. The instructor kept saying faster – power, power! Just wanted to be on the racing line, let other faster drivers safely overtake and get it round without a visit to the scenery! 6 laps went very very quickly passed and I was coming into the pits to finish and pass. Wow – thank goodness!

The test went so fast, so I thought I would take ‘Max the second’ out for a quick spin afterwards. It was great fun and managed to get confidence around the circuit. Loved Oulton and very much looking forward to racing there next year – fingers crossed. So now the ARDs has been done – just need to find a car!

P.S shared Oulton Park with Sir Chris Hoy who was testing a Blue Caterham!

Post 1997 driving licence and TOWING

Firstly many thanks to James for the following info.

This may bore you but if you are like me and past your road licence after 1997, you will find this information very useful if wanting to tow a race car (or anything else really!) without the B+e trailer entitlement on your licence.

The following link is the best for understanding how the regulations work.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

Need 3 numbers;
#1. The minimum Curb Weight of your towing vehicle
#2. The Maximum Authorised Mass of your towing vehicle
#3. The maximum authorised mass of your trailer.

Basically; #1 must be greater than #3. 
#2+#3 must not exceed 3,500kg.

e.g #1 = 1506kg
#2 = 2020kg
#3 = 1400kg

Minimum weight of the car is greater than the maximum authorised mass of the trailer, and the maximum weight of both added together is 3,420kg (Under 3,500kg).

Ultimately take the test again with the trailer!

Caterham choice of trailer = Brian James Minno because its simple, safe, light etc.

The #2 is between 1,200 and 1,600kg these depend on spec. Single axle trailers are lighter than twin axles (but these are arguably more stable and ‘safer’). Some come with tyre rack and petrol storage and these will add to the weight.

So many thanks again to James for the emailed information. I have basically cut and pasted from his email. So want to credit his work! but also wanted to put the information out there as many many people will now be in the same boat after passing their driving licence after 1997.

My new ARDs pack has arrived

My new ARDs pack has arrived at a cost of £57 from the MSA website. Having fun highlighting the demon tweeks catalogue for all the things I would like/need to get. Going to design a priority scheme! 1 = urgent, 5 = wish list/fairy tale! Scanned blue book and need to revisit the flags and information for ARDs however hoping it will all coming flooding back.

Have booked my new ARDs test for Oulton Park next week. Went for Oulton park in the end because I have a racing friend that I rarely see that I can go and visit, and also thought it would be good to go to a circuit I have never been to before or driven. (And probably will not go to again before the Championship starts).

WANTED; Classic Grad for sale – PLEASE! (Cars are coming out of the wood work, have spoken to 4 people so far about possible cars for sale. So having some options available to me. One car that was really nice but the owner has now decided probably not to sell. Two on the probably for sale list. One that I’m not really interested in – so things are looking brighter).

Have really enjoyed researching and investing information regarding the Graduate club and Caterhams. Everyone is really friendly and have answered all the questions I have thrown at them! (Which has been many) Key people to thank to date; Graeme Smith (Classic Champ 2010/ Club Secretary); Daniel Lewis (New racer 2010,  in Classic’s this year – great blog with really useful information for someone looking into getting into racing Caterhams – like me!); Paul Hawker (New racer 2010 during the last 8 weeks ish); Yolande Humphrey’s (fellow female racer – Super Grad’s); Andy A (McMillian Motorsport).

Also did some research today on my driving licence and towing a trailer. Basically if you passed your test after 1997, you have to take your test again with a trailer on. Not all DSA centres do this (maybe just the larger ones) and some driving instructors may provide a service for instruction / hire of car + trailer for test. Need to research this a bit more. Don’t think its fair!! To be honest I think I am a better driver than my mother and she can drive pretty much anything! If only I was a bit older! Still to research cost and logistics. (looks like my MX5 will stay with me a bit longer – really don’t want to get rid of it. Will hate to do this. However it is the least practical car for wanting to go motor racing and pulling trailers!) McMillian Motorsport’s storage and delivery to race circuits is looking more and more of a likely/easier option!

V festival 2010 this weekend. Weather forecast keeps changing and it goes from wash out to Cloudy with sunny intervals. We will have to wait and see. My fingers are crossed that the weathermen are always wrong, but knowing my luck they will be right for the first time!

Useful Caterham Video’s To Learn Circuits!

Many thanks to anyone who has uploaded video footage to the internet. Thought I would compile them all to one place so I can do my homework before next season! Many Thanks. Amanda

Caterham Graduates Vimeo - http://vimeo.com/channels/39185

Myles Packam – Mega Grads #11 (2010) – Car Colours: Black with white stripe. http://www.vimeo.com/user3515750 [Anglesey; Brands] and http://www.youtube.com/user/MylesTP [Croft; Pembrey; Mallory; Cadwell; Spa; Donington; Knockhill]

Sean Mighall – Super Grads #123 (2010) – Car Colours: Yellow with green stripe. http://www.vimeo.com/13881769 [Anglesey]

Daniel Lewis – Class Grads #82 (2010) – Car Colour: Black http://www.vimeo.com/daniellewis [Anglesey; Oulton; Croft; Pembrey; Brands]

Unknown – Mega Grads - Car Colour: Green http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B-IjJSPFVk [ Oulton; 1:54 lap time; Spa]

Additional None Graduate Racing (That may be useful)

Simon Mason – In a Caterham RSA around Anglesey. Wet conditions. Good example of heel and toe. http://www.vimeo.com/4509732 [Anglesey]

If you find any additional footage please leave a comment and I’ll add it later – thanks.

Back on track for a play!

Ancaster Kart Racing – Practice Session.

Dad and I popped down for a karting play at Ancaster Karting. We both managed to improve our times. Mine 29.2 and dad’s 31.13. Its been awhile since we have both been on track but excellent fun. Dont think the times are something to write home about (Think I need to lose 1 1/2 stone first!)

We also had a go at bowling. AB = 103, Dad = 102 – V.close!

Thanks Paps x

Sat 14th Aug – Caterham’s at Brands Hatch

Went down to Brands to see the Caterham’s round 10. The drive down was through torrential rain however the circuit was pretty dry on arrival. The weather was mixed all day. Saw some good action from mini’s, radicals and hatch backs. Caterhams looked pretty cool in the wet conditions. (Note to self for the future; Graham Hill bend – one to watch for in the wet!) as all the action was there.

Lovely to meet some of the Caterham drivers and see what is required to go racing. A very friendly bunch. Roll on 2011!

WANTED; Caterham Classic grad for sale (+ trailer = bonus) good condition and well looked after please.

MATTERS ARISING; Need to redo ARDS (What a pain!) - licence has now lapsed.

Anyone else??

Is anyone else bored of this F1 summer break. Bring on Spa!! Anyone fancy a road trip to beligum?

Lightroom: Street Photography

This is my first picture to be entered into a competition in 2010. It was taken while on a trip to Eastern Europe. We had travelled from Prague to Vienna and then got the Hydrofoil to Bratislava. What a contrast this Capital city was compared to the others. I guess that I had assumed that it was a European capital and therefore would have things to see! I was really wrong. This building was found just wondering slightly off the high street. I think it really captured the qualities of the city.

Competition rules; Submissions: Friday, 1st January, 2010 – Thursday, 7th January, 2010 (GMT). Voting: Friday, 8th January, 2010 – Thursday, 14th January, 2010 (GMT). Capture date rules: No restrictions. Maximum number of entries per user: 1, Maximum number of entries in challenge: 150.

Processing rules:

• No restriction on post-processing as long as it is done with taste.
• Do not grossly alter the content (no cloning, deleting, masking, etc)
• The end result must be artistically pleasing and natural.
• No multiple exposures or HDR.
• No frames or watermarks.

Additional rules:

• Adhere to the theme: street photography.
• No snapshots.
• Name the city or town, if appropriate.

First Photograph Comp – 25th/78

A pretty good start to my latest hobby. I entered the following photo in a competition on the internet for ‘Night at the funfair’. Cant believe I came 25th out of 78 entries. Chuffed

Shepard’s Funfair Delight

Nice one Webber

Well done to Webber winning his first F1 race – it has been a long time coming. I did think that last year Vettel was silly for signing with Red Bull this year and I guess I’m having to eat my words. I’ve been a Webber fan since the start and he is a excellent talent. I can’t believe the size of the massive bump he still has on his leg.

Came across this picture of Vettel, no wonder he didn’t win on Sunday with glasses like these. They wont fit inside a helmet and defiantly don’t look cool!

Does Hammy’s start on Sunday make teams start to think about the importance of KERS?? Not having it ruined Vettels race. Think how much faster Hammy was in that start. I think it even surprised himself!

And as of Barry – Well I’ll take over your race seat if you dont want it!

Roll on Hungary. Money has to still be on Red Bull, however looking forward to seeing what Hammy can do. Buttons starting to look a bit slow, maybe as they are losing Virgin! (Sorry had to get that one in!)