A bit of a shock!

by Darren on Dec.30, 2005, under Skoda

Unlike ‘normal’ driving licences, an MSA competition licence needs to be renewed each year. This seems to be a good way for the MSA to generate income (it costs me ?60 for my licence, and I’m not sure what I get for that apart from their magazine which contains very little rally-related information – after all, entry fees contain money that goes to the MSA anyway, but that’s another subject), and while I was at it I thought I’d check how much International licences were going to cost Paul and me for when we do the Wales Rally GB. The form has a whole load of options, but I found mine, Stage Rally International, at the ‘bargain’ price of ?140. (although compare this to the International ‘Entrant’ licence – for a team – at ?3k!). But I couldn’t find “International Navigator”. So I did a bit of Googling.

You know those times when something’s gone wrong in your life, and you look back at the time before the incident and think of those times as being happy, innocent, carefree days? Well, this was like that. I felt like I’d been kicked in the guts. Turns out that the FIA makes no distinction between a navigator and a driver when you’re at International level. In other words, for Paul to do Wales Rally GB, he’d need an International Stage Rally Driver’s licence. If you don’t know what that entails, then I’ll outline it for you:

Firstly, purchase a “welcome to rallying” pack from the MSA. The only thing of any importance/worth in this is the application form for the Stage Rally Driver National B licence. There’s a fairly inconsequential video in there about rallying (which is totally irrelevent if, like Paul, you’ve navigated even once, let alone on a multi-venue event), and a useful safety video, but nothing that anyone with a First Aid certificate won’t know. So, that’s ?45.

Secondly, pass your ‘BARS’ test. This is a test to check that you’re not a complete moron in a car, and are capable of controlling it. Nothing fancy, nothing quick. And then there’s a 20-question multiple choice ‘exam’ to take, on things you will need to know to do your first event – again, something that you’re going to know if you’ve done an event as a Navigator. ?180, please, for 10 minutes.

Thirdly, finish 4 National B events. These can be tarmac or forest events. I think that tarmac is a much better idea as the car is less likely to get damaged, and they’re generally much cheaper, and also less preparation is needed for them. I’m going to navigate on these (which will be interesting), but the total cost of these will be at least ?300 per event (shared between the two of us). ?1200, minimum. And that’s if nothing breaks, and we don’t crash.

Fourth, upgrade the licence to “National A” status. This will cost around ?50, once the four Nat-B events are finished

Fifth, finish a National A status rally. I’ve not found a nearby National A event, but it won’t be cheap, probably about ?400 minimum, and that’s if we can find a tarmac one to enter and do it on the cheap. Could be ?600 between us.

Finally (still there?) upgrade the licence again to International status – about ?100.

So, that’s easy then…. Anyway, we’re going to give it a shot. After all, you’re only here once, etc, aren’t you? And I did say I was going to do WRGB, and I am, one way or another. Plus it’ll be a good laugh doing some more events, for sure…..

Fortunately, I am already in a position to upgrade my licence to “International”, ‘cos I finished the Sunseeker last year. Which makes me realise that I’ve come a long way, and also that I’ve spent a lot of money on that journey! Best not to add it all up, I think – it’s spent, I enjoyed it, and I don’t owe anyone anything. Nice.