Novice Program

Any person 18 years of age or older who holds a valid state or provincial driver's license may apply to the ICSCC for a competition license. Also required are a physical examination and current membership in an ICSCC Member Club or Affiliate Club.

The first step to earning your racing license is to take a Race Driver Training course. These are offered several times each year by Conference clubs: see the schedule for information on this year's dates and venues. Other racing schools may be recognized as well; if you are considering one and aren't sure whether it will earn you credit toward an ICSCC license, ask the License Director.

You can use your own car for Driver Training, provided it passes a basic technical inspection, or you can rent or buy a racecar. Students are advised to do their school in a car they are familiar with, and their first few races in a variety of cars so that they have an idea what class appeals to them most before buying their own racecar.

Once you have successfully completed your race training you may apply for your Novice Racing License. As a Novice driver you will compete with other Novices in either the Novice Open Wheel or Novice Closed Wheel class, depending on what type of car you own, rent, or borrow.

Novice races are intended to be primarily learning experiences, with emphasis on safety and technique over speed. They are observed by senior drivers who give feedback on such things as line, cornering, shifting, use of mirrors, observation of flags, and safety in traffic. You will also observe several senior sessions from various corner stations, learning about the duties and concerns of the Safety and Communications workers. You will also have spent a half-day in Technical Inspection. This will help you learn what is involved in putting on a race event and is an opportunity to learn things you might otherwise spend years stumbling upon for yourself. It's also a great way to get to know some fine people!

If, after three races, the License Director is satisfied that you have the skills, knowledge, and attitude to handle competition in a field of senior drivers, he or she will upgrade your license to the Area Road Racing (ARR or "Area"). An Area license allows you to enter races in the senior groups while still affording you the opportunity to race with the Novice groups.

Once you have successfully completed three races in the senior groups with your Area license, you have the option to move up to an International Road Racing (IRR or "Senior") license and, hopefully, begin mentoring and finally teaching new drivers yourself.