NCRC puts on a variety of activities, which vary depending on the particular event. See the event-specific web pages to confirm what's happening at the particular event you're attending.
Driver's Education
Driver's Education (DE) events consist of full instruction and classroom activities for novice drivers. Instructors are in the passenger seat of driver's cars, and will instruct on technique, safety, and track awareness. We also have Coaches, who provide a session or two per day of more advanced driving or racing instruction.
Open Track
Open Track (OT) events consist of solo (or periodic passenger) driving on the track, for more experienced drivers. This is for fun and practice, not for racing. For DE and OT activities, drivers are classified into three groups, based on experience on the track:
-
Limited Group: For relatively new drivers, allowing passing with point-by only in certain straight sections of track. We offer instruction at no cost in a Limited group an refer to it as "Limited with Instruction", or drivers approved to run without instructors in this class are "Limited/Solo".
-
Point-By Group: For drivers with more experience, allowing passing anywhere on the track with a point-by
-
Open Group: For very experienced drivers, allowing passing anywhere on the track, with no point-by required
DE and OT make up the bulk of most NCRC track days.
Time Trial
The Time Trial (TT) provides intermediate and advanced drivers with an opportunity to test their driving skills against other drivers of similar cars. This is not a race, but an event where we classify cars into groups, and track lap times for the event. We run a Time Trial Challenge for the year, so points are accumulated for the entire year. Read details about the Time Trial Challenge.
For all of the lunch-time events (TT, Relay, Exhibition Races) we've negotiated with the tracks to add an extra 1/2-hour to the available track time, so we shouldn't take up any of the open track time to host these.
Open Track Timing
NCRC now optionally offers our AMB timing system to the open track drivers who want to get lap times throughout their sessions. You will get reports periodically throughout the day, showing your lap times in the same format as the racers receive. This is purely an option for the open track drivers, and there is a fee for this service; you’ll see the options available during the registration process for any event. Keep in mind that insurance companies often determine accident coverage based on whether the event is "timed", so you’ll have to include this in your plans if you chose to be timed.
Relay Race
NCRC adds Relay Races (RR) for a fun new activity in 2005. The relay will be performed by grouping cars into teams, by certain comonality. It might be Ford vs. Chevy, Exotic vs. Import, Vintage vs. Modern, etc. The teams will be determined simply by who's signed up, and only exist for the single race. Preferably we'll have four teams of five cars and one "runner" each. Cars will then be gridded in the hot pits, with the four teams lined up side-by-side, car #1 of each team at the front. The first car of each team will be let onto the track, with 10-second intervals between them. Each car will then run two laps and then pit. The driver will tag the runner, who will run up to the front of the pits and tag the next car in succession for the team, who then heads out for his laps. The best total time for a team wins the race.
The Relay Race is much like a "team time trial", and is available to any car, intermediate or advanced drivers.
Exhibition Race
An exhibition race is a single short race, just for fun. We do a standard rolling start, and 10 racing laps. There is no qualifying for the race, and cars will be gridded in random order. Vintage rules (no contact) apply, and the overriding motivation is to have a bit of fun out on the track. Cars must be race-prepared (roll cages, etc, see ARC GCR's), and drivers must be ARC Race Certified to participate.
Race School
Run as an ARC Activity, but at some NCRC events, the ARC Racing School will teach greater car control, increased track awareness, effective passing techniques (including in corners, under braking, etc), race starts, and other critical skills required for racing and advanced open tracking. You'll get more than two hours of intensive classroom time each day. The theory taught in the classroom is put into practice through two+ hours of on-track coaching, with a compelling 2:1 student to instructor ratio. The instructors are race-seasoned who will share their considerable first-hand experience with you. Read details about the ARC Race School.