Ever fancied being a racing driver? Of course you have – and it’s easier than you think.

The expensive and glamorous Formula 1 or Touring Car Championships are not the only forms of motor racing.

More than 5,000 motorsport events take place each year in the UK and the huge majority of drivers involved are complete amateurs.

And they’re not just young petrolheads. There are mums, grandads and sixth-form students who all enjoy the exhilaration and challenge of being at the wheel of a fast car in a relatively safe environment.

There are opportunities for a wide variety of cars, from road-going saloons to expensive single-seaters, with keenly-contested championships based either on regions, individual circuits, makes of car, or types of car.

And you don’t have to be a speed freak either; a few twisty 40mph bends can be a lot more challenging than a 150mph straight.

But to take part in most of them, you’ll need a competition licence. Every year, hundreds of would-be Hamiltons and Platos, as well as those just out for some fun, head for their local circuit to take the test for a Motor Sports Association ‘National B’ Competition Licence (a sort of provisional racing licence) and it’s really not difficult.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had a go. And trust me on this, if I can do it, anyone can… The official tests are run by the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS) – of which there are some 16 in the UK – and the exam is commonly referred to as the ARDS test.You’ll also need a brief health check to be signed off by your doctor, but it’s basic stuff.

I took my course at pretty Castle Combe, just up the road in Wiltshire, one of the most attractive and welcoming circuits in the country.

If you’ve never driven on a circuit before you’ll find it beneficial to take one of Castle Combe Driving School’s race driver courses before your ARDS exam. They’re good value, a fun day, and you’ll know what to expect and find things a lot less intimidating on your exam day (see fact box for details).

But it’s not essential, and most people with a decent bit of driving experience and common sense shouldn’t have any problems.

The ARDS test consists of a short drive around the circuit (in our case using a standard two-litre Focus) with your instructor/examiner alongside you, followed by a 15-minute written test.

Castle Combe’s half-day course adds classroom briefings and plenty of one-to-one in-car instruction beforehand.

For 10 or 15 minutes, he or she will point out the right lines, the right gears, when to brake and accelerate and answer any questions. It’s quite light-hearted and only for the last couple of laps will the instructor turn examiner and ask you to continue without any prompting. This is your assessment.

One of the attractions of Castle Combe is that the instructors are an avuncular and jovial lot, led by enthusiastic chief Alan Cooper. They’re not young hot-heads, are helpful and friendly and will make you feel relaxed in very short order.

The 14 students on my course covered most disciplines. Among them were an electrician, two students, two mechanics, a solicitor, two housewives and a racehorse trainer. Ages ranged from 19 to 62.

The other two in my group of three were teenager Ashley Clifford, who didn’t actually have a British driving licence, and former Poole College student, now housewife, Christiane Wuillamie.

Ashley’s ambition was to get into Formula Ford single-seater racing and Chris wanted to ‘expand her driving experience’.

Our instructor was Roly, an affable Bristolian with a dark sense of humour. As he drove us round and introduced us to the open, 1.8-mile circuit, he reminded us to keep an eye on the mirror.

“A lot of drivers seem to leave their brains behind once they’re on the circuit,” he grumbled. “When you start racing, and are still a bit on the slow side, they’ll get past you any way they can, under, over, on either side – they’ll go past like they’ve got an extra cylinder on there!”

A useful tip that Alan gave was to make sure you’re in first gear on the start line. He explained that when positioning themselves for the start, many first-timers overshoot and have to reverse onto their grid spot. Then, when the race starts… “You wouldn’t believe how many first-timers don’t move or even shoot off backwards when the start light comes on!” he added.

“And remember, the steering wheel is your best friend; keep both hands on it.”

Before you start you need to buy the MSA’s introduction pack which includes the annual regulations ‘blue’ book, an application form, a DVD showing you everything you need to know to pass your test and other goodies.

The written test is really common sense but you must know the flags or you’ll be failed. Likewise, drive sensibly on the circuit. The examiners are looking for smoothness and accuracy, not speed – if you spin, you’ll also be failed.

At the end of the morning our ‘class of March’ had all passed the test and were ready to send off for our licences.

For me, the next stage is to find some kind soul to lend me a race car. Any offers?