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.
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 OT activities, drivers are classified into three groups, based on experience on the track:
- Solo Group: For relatively new drivers, allowing passing with point-by only in certain straight sections of track.
- 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
Open Track makes up the bulk of most NCRC track days.
Driving School
For novice drivers (those who haven't driven on a race track before) we provide a one-day driving school (also called DE, or Driver's Ed). This school begins with three classroom sessions and on-track exercises in the morning. These activities are designed to get the driver comfortable with the rules, process and experience of safe open track driving. These include learning to drive the racing line, learning to pass safely, and understanding of flags. In the afternoon, the remaining two track sessions are regular Open Track sessions for the drivers, with "Solo" passing rules. This school offers one instructor for each five students, and predominantly does not have instructors in the passenger seat of the student.
Most of our drivers are moved into the Solo group after this classroom, the rest are encouraged to take the classroom a second time. As the school is a single day, customers registering for weekend events should chose either day for the school, but not both. Those wanting to attend the full weekend may register for two days, but it will be NCRC's decision as to whether the driver moves to the solo group, or remains in the school for the second day.
Racing
Under the American Racing Club (ARC) banner, we run true wheel-to-wheel racing for those with race licenses and race-prepared cars. These races are run as a separate rungroup at NCRC events. Those with race licenses are welcome to join us for these events. Those with race-prepared cars, but no racing licenses, should contact us before registering for a race, and we'll determine whether you can start your first race with us as a novice racer.
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.
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.