MSA medical test

[woodyracing]

hi

just wondering,
what is involved in the RACMSA medical test that you have to complete before you get your racing license ?
And what sorta things are they looking for ?

( not that theres anything wrong with me )

thanks

Woody

[Chris Y]

Welcome to the forums, Woody

I've only recently got my licence, and apart from the hassle of getting to see a GP, the medical was easy..

Basically, when you get your 'Go Racing' pack from the MSA, you get a form, and some instructions, which you take to your GP. For a fee (£60 for me) they'll do a 'general medical checkup', and sign the form for you..

They'll check things like your blood pressure, heart rate, lung capacity (blow into a tube - always a bit of a giggle ) and check your medical history for things like heart or respiratory problems (like family angina, asthma).

They'll also do a quick check for colour blindness and general eyesight, although in my case they didn't have a color chart, so I just named some colours around the room

I think that's mainly it. Oh yeah, you'll have to give a quick urine sample.. Nothing to it

If you have any other questions, feel free to post them here, or PM me (private message) and I'll talk you through it. Have you got your 'Go Racing' pack yet?

[woodyracing]

hi

thanks for the info

Ive not got my Go Racing Pack yet, im going to wait till i (hopefully) need it.

Just doin some race training in Formula Ford at the moment.

Woody.

[Chris Y]

If you are planning to do any racing in the future, then getting your licence now would probably be a good idea..

It's not a pleasant thing to try and get all of the form filling / waiting / getting to see a GP done when your first race is a week away. Get it all done in plenty of time, because you never know when an opportunity may arise.

A relatively simple thing like getting a medical form signed actually took me 3 weeks and serveral pointless trips to the GP (on account of staff stupidity), so you should account for this..

Obviously if you're not planning to enter motorsport for a couple of years, then forget what I've said But otherwise, get it out of the way while you can..

[yelwoci]

It's very simple.
First time licence applicants, those over 45 and thsoe going for International licences need to have one.

They check for eye sight, both corrected and uncorrected.
Colour blindness/deficiency.
Clino-stick urine sugar levels, looking for Diabetes.
Blood pressure
Knee reaction
Doctor also confirms no evidence/past of epilepsy, etc..

Then stings you for £40-60 for the 10 minute job.

IanC

[massifheed]

Mine only cost me 2 bottles of wine. Having said that, is it really good to have a doctor that is willing to work for alcohol?

[JasonL220]

would i be able to pass the medical because i had a heart operation about 5 years ago.

[terence]

That would depend on what the Op was for.Generally the answer would be no,but ,like I said it all depends on what you had done.You're best shot would be to get in touch with the MSA and ask direct.Good luck.

[JasonL220]

cheers sent them an email, i'm expecting them to say no but i hoep they dont.

[Tim Falce]

HI Jason and welcome to Ten Tenths. Don't give up hope just yet, if your profile is correct you are very young so I would imagine you op was not an age related thing such as a bypass.
I know someone who has had heart attacks a bypass op and other stuff done and still has a licence. The MSA may use your doctor's guidelines or ask for a stress ECG or cardiac consultants report.
You may have been better just going for the medical, say nothing and let the report do the talking.
Don't forget that someone who is monitored for any problems will be a known risk and can be accommodated accordingly, those of us who are not monitored because they are so called healthy are definitely an unknown risk as anyone of us could drop dead from a heart attack at any time.
Good luck anyway.

[terence]

Especialy on the treadmill!

[JasonL220]

i didn't think of like that, it wasn't age related had it from birth, had complications at age of 13 so it was repaired, have regular check-ups so all should be good , and that age is correct

[terence]

Originally Posted by JasonL220

i didn't think of like that, it wasn't age related had it from birth, had complications at age of 13 so it was repaired, have regular check-ups so all should be good , and that age is correct

Hole in the heart? You could be lucky,that's what we wish you.Go for it.

[JasonL220]

yeah hole in heart, a some problems so it was repaired

[Tim Falce]

I would go for the medical, send the form off and take it from there. They wont stop you racing unless there is a good reason which will be mainly for your benefit and good health.

[JohnD]

Jason,
When you get your licence application it will include an eight page, A4 'leaflet' entitled 'MSA Competition Licence Notes'. It includes three pages on the 'Medical Declarations'!

Those do include the statement that "Valvular diseases of the heart or other abnormal condition" ... "MAY prevent the granting of a Competition Licence". (my capitals)
But the actual Medical Report, that your doctor completes and signs, asks about "evidence of a physical ... condition which could, in your opinion [the doctor's] prevent the applicant from holding a competition licence". So if your doctor thinks you are now well and healthy, they can sign that off straight away. If they have any doubts then they can provide a report of your condition for the MSA's Medical Consultant. You sign Section 5 of the application to give permission for your medical records to be revealed in this way. You can even insist that you see your doctor's report before it is sent to the MSA's doctor. This is essential protection of confidential medical records.
But they will be concerned that competition will not be a danger to you or to other people. The list of other possibly medical conditions that may prevent the issue of a licence includes actual heart attacks or angina, and bypass surgery, but also epilepsy, diabetes, poor vison, double vison and abnormal colour vision. Amputees and those with paralysed limbs also come into the list, but only under a "may"! Bad luck on those affected, but you can see why they impose these restrictions.
I believe that there is or has been at least one rally driver who is/was paraplegic, no use of their legs, and as another said above, previous bypass surgery is not a ban, as long as they have made a good recovery. If you have receovered from your surgery, then I hope that your doctor will feel able to sign your report straight away.

The Medical notes also detail drugs that are banned. Many people who have had heart surgery may be on such drugs for life, for instance beta blockers. Anyone prescribed such drugs may apply for a "Therepeutic Use Certificate". I'm sorry to say that the MSA charges an additional fee for this, but it could get you a licence if you have to take such medication.

Just a tip - if you are still being 'followed-up' after your surgery, ask the doctor in the clinic if you would be fit for a licence. Or else, make an appointment to see your GP, to " discuss your condition". Ask them then, and you will get your answer. This won't get your application form signed - you will still need to pay the fee for that, but that NHS appointment will cost you nothing!

Good luck!

John

[terence]

I wonder where the Theraputic Use clause draw's a line?
Could it be argued that "Speed" help's some drive quicker?

[JimW]

Originally Posted by JohnD

. . . I believe that there is or has been at least one rally driver who is/was paraplegic, no use of their legs, and as another said above, previous bypass surgery is not a ban, as long as they have made a good recovery. If you have recovered from your surgery, then I hope that your doctor will feel able to sign your report straight away.
. . .

In addition to the rally driver you mention I know of at least one paraplegic race driver (Renault Spider) and a karter.

I believe that their concerns focuses on the likelihood of risk to others; hence different standards for one-at-a-time competitions.

Regards

Jim

[JimW]

http://www.ureasample.com/pass_a_dru...st_index.shtml gives more advice on how to pass a urine test than seems reasonable.

While all of of its products would be illegal to use and thus can't be recommended , it also contains some useful information about drug half life.

For cannabis, see http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/cannabis/drugtests.htm for an interesting article.

Google drug half life to see lots more. Of course all should be read with scepticism set to high. (Bit like the F1 driver change threads here then?)

Regards

Jim

[LYNX]

Does anyone know where to find out how long certain drugs stay in the system to give a positive drug test. Not to be recommended - but if someone wanted to race and had to stop their regular medication? All drugs have different half lives but is there a compendium or similar available.

[terence]

Like a pharmasutical wiki?

[Tim Falce]

Cannabis is supposed to be around 12 weeks, so I've heard.

[LYNX]

Thanks Jim - I am really interested in therapeutic drugs. I did not renew my licence this year as the therapeutic list looked too daunting! I have asked a couple of friends in the medical profession and a pharmacologist but they didn't know either. It seems to be something the drug testers keep secret. For example diuretics are banned because they can be abused to mask other drug taking. I know one guy who stops his beater blockers for hypertension a few days before each race - goodness only knows what his BP does during the race. Most of the drugs on the list would not enhance a motor racing persons skill though some may of course alter reaction times, judgement etc.

[LYNX]

Sorry, spell check problems - above post #34 shoud read "Beta blockers" - I'll never live it down!

[lynxlad]

does anyone know if they are conducting med checks for licence at the autosport show and if so who is the medic and how much
thanxs