Kotto Grand Prix Part I: How to Get a Racing Licence

In September 2025 I had an epiphany. Not a brain smart one that generates money while I sleep, but a dumb-dumb one that requires my utmost concentration when jotting it down using a non-toxic crayon. I wanted to become a racing driver – I always have – and now, largely spurred on by my friend James Dudley who debuted in the BRSCC Mini Championship that year, it was time to make that happen. I’d also spent too much time at Le Mans, Goodwood, WEC events and Nürburgring track days which usually meant holding @Pissedonpetrol’s helmet whilst he used the toilet.

However, I tend to rush into things. I bought a car before I knew how to drive. I bought a motorbike before ever touching one. I live with my heart on my sleeve which explains my love for Alfa Romeos and TVRs undeterred by all logic and sense. So naturally, I paid for a seat on a racing team and entered a racing championship before I actually knew anything about going racing.

Obviously, the very first step to take isn’t to join a racing team, but to get licensed. To do so, first you need to hop onto the Motorsport UK online shop and buy a Go Racing start pack for £119 – you can choose Rally, Race or both. I wanted to do circuit racing so opted for Race. The pack includes a nice keyring and a lot of paper, one of which is a return letter for your application form. There’s also a gift card for Grand Prix Racewear in Silverstone and a QR code to a series of YouTube videos which gives you a breakdown on motor-car racing.

The requirements are simple; you must complete an eye test that includes colour blindness, and then if you’re over 60, a medical examination. Finally you must pass either the Novice Racing Driver Course or ARDS test, which involves theory and practical tests. I got stung £60 for an eye test, but as I’m 36 and change, I could declare myself medically fit.

The Motorsport School - Mallory park — The Motorsport School NRDC at Mallory Park

Initially, I was planning to do my NRDC at Castle Combe, however as of late January they had not published any dates on their website. Luckily, I was booked into James Dudley’s garage that month; Automotive Cardiff. As per usual, I ended up speaking to one of his colleagues who I call Rob’s dad because I don’t know his name – usually because he’s telling me my car’s broken and I should’ve bought a Toyota, thus we haven’t formally been introduced. But when Rob’s dad stopped scolding me he told me he was doing his NRDC too at Mallory Park and they had dates in February. Whilst waiting for my car to be resuscitated I got onto the Motorsport School’s website which operates out of said venue, securing a booking for 21 February, and was relieved of £340.

With the NRDC scheduled I figured I needed to get some clothes. So I visited Grand Prix Racewear, who were brilliant, kitting me out with FIA 8856-2018 approved gear valid for my intended series. A word of caution, though: one helmet I was looking at – an OMP GP-R – was approved in 2015, whereas the Sparco Stealth RF was certified in 2024. That means the OMP wouldn’t be valid beyond 2028. I chose the Sparco – newer certification, higher protection standard and a longer lifespan. The damage came to £406 for the helmet, £125 for a pair of Sparco Slalom+ race boots, plus £300 for a Stand 21 Club Series 3 HANS contraption.

"To recap: we’re £1,940 deep and I still haven’t turned a wheel in anger..."

I also visited Demon Tweeks whilst en route to Manchester to visit Craig and feed him wine. I’m a big fan of their online store and have used them many times, but had never visited their fabled warehouse outlet brimming with FIA gear. But the customer service was totally absent. Great website. Crap shop. As such I reverted to type and bought gloves and safety underwear from the website, which came to £226. I then spent £400 at Motorsport Direct on a race suit, followed by £42 with JJC Race & Rally for a balaclava.

To recap, we’re £1,940 deep and I still haven’t turned a wheel in anger. £1,421 of that is clothing; £519 disappears into admin and licensing. There were other costs – a hotel for the NRDC, a Sparco duffelbag, fuel for various trips – but for the sake of your sanity, I’ve left those out.

We’ll fast forward now to 23 February because that’s today and I’m writing this on the high of passing my NRDC. I can’t fault The Motorsport School at all; the theory element was handled by the owner Pete who has a huge amount of knowledge and experience with racing and made the hour with him go by all too quickly. The written test requires a score of 100% for the flags used by marshals as well as the safety section – which is daunting – but if you’re unsure before going into the test Pete and the team are there to help and get you up to standard. I’d recommend you read through Section Q – Specific Regulations for Circuit Racing – of the MSUK Blue Book, and General Racing in advance.

The practical element of the day was my biggest worry, not because I’m not a confident driver but the margin for error is zero; if you spin the car, exceed track limits or crash you’ve failed. All things within your control until it’s not. I jumped into a Clio 197 with Dave the instructor who took me around the track at a moderate pace to show me the braking points, apex of the corner, exit points and general racing line for Mallory Park. With two laps done we swapped places, building speed gradually until he was satisfied. Then the test began – one lap at roughly 70% race pace. Dave’s looking to make sure I’m safe – following the racing line, braking correctly and proving I’m someone he’d be happy to share a track with. Pete and the other instructors are all racing drivers or highly experienced trainers so their knowledge is excellent.

Beforehand, all sorts of fears run through your mind about being scrutinised, but rather than being crippled by fear and anxiety, the examination ended up being an enjoyable process.

With both parts of the day done and the Clio safely returned in one piece, Pete informed me my written test was a 100% pass, and Dave confirmed the driving element was satisfactory and my application for a racing licence was rubber-stamped. I was then presented with a Novice cross to put on my first racecar. Happy days.

In seven days I should get my licence alongside an upgrade card. This is to be given to race directors in order to get up the licence tree; six signatures are needed for removal of my novice status and twenty for racing abroad (unless you want to pay upwards of four figures to circumvent the process). Two signatures are normally given per race meeting. You can also gain additional ones from training courses or certain events which meet the criteria.

It’s at this point you should start looking at championships, series, clubs and teams but that element was done first because frankly, it motivated me to get off the sofa. What got me onto it were Facebook groups such as Arrive and Drive – Motorsport Seats Available/Wanted, Arrive & Drive Motorsport and Track Time Classified. This is generally where teams post their available seats for track days, races and novice racers can put their hand up. After lurking for a while, eventually posting about my status and what was available I had a few people message me with encouraging words about moving forward, including some recommendations for teams.

One of those was a Cardiff based outfit, Rocketdog Racing. I saw one of their posts offering seat time in their unapologetic RX-8 alongside their newer Volkswagen Scirocco R. I was already aware of Rocketdog as I hoped to speak to them at Pembrey in September 2025. They’d already posted about being there and were happy to talk to anyone looking to get into racing, but on the day I chickened out as they seemed busy driving the RX-8 and a Megane 265 all day, and I didn’t want to disturb them.

rocketdog racing Mazda RX-8 — Rocketdog Racing offer many 'arrive & drive' packages in their race cars

Fast forward to December 2025, I see another post on Facebook, offering a full season of racing with the WRDA (Welsh Racing Driver’s Association) in the WSCC (Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Championship) for £3,400 in their wide-body Scirocco R DSG. It took less than ten seconds to decide I wanted in so I sent them a message, only to receive a bounceback message saying they were on Christmas break until the first week of January. They got back to me in a few hours saying no problem and arranged to call them when they were back open. After a slightly nervous few days I gave them a call and everything was sorted and paid for. Craig, the team owner, is well versed with novice racers so my situation was nothing new or exciting for him.

With a contract signed I was now in the Rocketdog fold, thrust into a WhatsApp group with the entire team and the rest of the drivers in his other cars. Rather than being thrown to the wolves, all were welcoming and gave pointers. Everyone I’ve met on this journey has been in my shoes. Now they’re happy to see someone new join their sport. There’s no gatekeeping.

The WRDA is the same, I joined to register my place in the 2026 series but hit a block as I didn’t have a MSUK licence number. So, I sent a message to the WRDA office explaining my situation and once again common sense prevailed – sorted when the time comes, no stress. The membership fee was £60 and WSCC registration cost £100.

There’s seat time in the Scirocco next month to get familiar with the car and the peculiarities of racing slicks. In April at Castle Combe there’s nowhere left to hide. I’ve spent £5,500 and announced to the world that I’m a racing driver.

The novice cross says otherwise.