25
January 2006 - First things first.
The first step towards getting yourself on the motorsport
ladder, is to get a Go Racing pack from the sport's governing body,
the MSA (Motor Sports Association). This is an easy step, and one that
you should get done as early as you can. The forms inside are dated,
but can be used whenever you get around to it, provided you check with
the MSA what the current licence fees are. No need to leave it 'til
the last minute.
Inside the pack you will find the current MSA Competitors
Yearbook, commonly referred to as "The Blue Book". This outlines
all the rules, regs and requirements for motorsport in the UK, and is
a useful resource for all competitors. It's important to get an up-to-date
yearbook as requirements for equipment can change and you don't want
to find yourself with a no-longer-approved helmet when race day arrives.
You will also find a "Getting Started" video,
the Licence Application form, a wallet for when you get your licence,
and information about the licence and ARDS procedures. Some useful bonus
items include a DVD from the Silverstone Academy showing their racing
tuition options and catalogues from a number of racewear, parts and
circuit guide suppliers.
This pack is available directly from the MSA website at
www.msauk.org for £48. There
are "Go Karting" and "Go Rallying" packs too, but
we're going circuit racing so it's the pack pictured with the blue edge
that's needed. Reading through the application form, you'll see that
you now need to complete an ARDS licence test, and get a medical examination
from a doctor.
31 January 2006 - Medical
and seat fitting.
The aim for this season is to compete in the Formula
Jedi Championship so today I visited the workshop of Jedi Racing
Cars in Wellingborough to get a seat fitting for what will be the MSportUK
car - a 2000 Mk.4 chassis. The workshop is filled with the John Corbyn-designed
cars in various states of build or re-build, from a brand new Mk.6 chassis
being welded at one end, to John's own recently-finished car at the
other. The MSportUK car, chassis 116, is pretty bare, panelled and with
the beginnings of assembly - differential and some suspension parts
in place. The car will eventually have the required Honda CBR600 engine
for the championship's Class A mounted in the back, but for now the
well-proven frame is clear to see.
The seat fitting is a fairly simple, if time-consuming
process. A bag of expanding foam is placed in the car and I position
myself on it in a comfortable racing position with feet on the pedals,
hands on the wheel and fire extinguisher beneath my thighs, where the
final plumbed-in system will sit. The foam expands in the bag, filling
the space around me and hardening to form a perfectly fitted base. The
process is repeated for a backrest and the whole thing is allowed to
harden fully. While that's happening, we make our way to Kettering General
for a look over by a doctor.
As a novice, I'm required to have an initial medical check
for my National B licence application, and then give a medical self-declaration
each year after. Frazer and John Corbyn are re-applying for International
C licences so both are required to have annual medical checks, as with
all International applications.
The medical is fairly basic, covering blood pressure,
vision check and a urine analysis, along with an overview of medical
history and general medical health. Any history of insulin-dependent
diabetes, blackouts, epilepsy, psychiatric illness or any head injuries
would be cause for concern. I'll not go into that in too much detail,
save to say that I'm considered fit enough to race. First hurdle cleared.
Back to the factory and a final sit in the car sees the
seat fitting nicely, with final adjustments made to pedals and steering
wheel positions. A quick sit in John's car to see how a finished car
feels gives a boost to the anticipation and I'm eager to get in the
finished article and have a go on track.
