ARDS ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN

Pat Blakeney has been elected by The Association of Racing Drivers’ Schools as its new chairman.

Pat has served as a Director of ARDS for ten years and is currently Operations Manager at Thruxton Circuit along with being a Director at the Association of Karting Schools and the National Karting Association.

After 20 years in the role, Paul O’Brien, will step down from at the association’s annual general meeting in March 2014. Under Paul’s Chairmanship, ARDS developed the highly respected ARDS Instructor Licensing scheme (widely used by event organisers, agencies, manufacturers and racing drivers who are looking to employ experienced professional track instructors), a scheme which over 500 race driver instructors are accredited and insured each year. Recently, Paul has worked closely with the MSA to develop a scheme to provide training and third party accreditation for instructors who wish to develop coaching careers.

” I am delighted to leave ARDS in his very capable hands”

Talking of Pat’s appointment, Paul said:

“I’ve worked closely with Pat in recent years and am delighted to leave ARDS in his very capable hands. It’s a busy time for ARDS, as we build on the Association’s success, with further training initiatives for instructors and the continuing monitoring and development of quality standards within the racing school sector. Pat will also work closely with the MSA to roll out the professional coaching scheme.”

Pat brings a wealth of motorsport, instructing and management experience to the role. In addition to his position at Thruxton – which includes responsibility for the motorsport centre, kart centre and circuit operations – Pat is an experienced S Grade senior instructor. He pioneered ARDS Junior Driver Training Course and has worked, as Lead Instructor, with BMW on their race driver coaching and education programme. He is also an enthusiastic and successful competitor in Formula Ford and has raced in a broad spectrum of cars since 1986.

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