18 Nov 08
It was a thick 'Oirish' accent that informed me: 'Fella, if you drive like that, you'll kill at least ten people.'
It was chilling, and it put paid to any thoughts of even walking around a racetrack, let alone driving on one. My confidence was at rock bottom and then the Oirish accent offered more 'wisdom': 'I don't want to be sitting next to you when you are taking your test.'
I'll um... get my coat then.
If you think that gaining a racing licence or ARDS is easy then think again. Then might sound negative but really it is quite a relief to know: you don't want loads of boy racers armed with little or no driving talent tearing around Britain's racetracks convinced they are the next Lewis Hamilton. They would be no more than ticking timebombs.
I had been invited by Silverstone Circuits to take part in a day-long course that would enable me to secure my racing licence. The newly-launched course called the Race Licence Graduation Day will cost members of the public £599+VAT and is aimed at those who have an interest in motorsport and are thinking of getting behind the wheel for some competitive action. My role, along with eight other journalists was to 'test the test' and see what paying punters will get for their hard-earned cash.
