Your First Track Day at Road America
On your first track day at Road America, you will most likely run in the Novice group, an instructor-led format with classroom sessions, lead/follow laps behind an instructor and debriefs between sessions. You bring a street-legal car or a track-prepared car (no trucks, vans or SUVs), a valid driver’s license, long pants and a Snell SA2015 or newer helmet, which you can rent at registration. In 2026, the Novice group cost $425.
What a Road America Track Day is, and isn’t
A Track Day is your chance to drive your own car on Road America’s 4-mile road course in a safe, non-competitive environment. Road America’s rules put it plainly: no timing, no racing, no trophies. It is a driving education event, and every driver follows flag and passing rules.
Road America lists Track Days as running from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the 2026 schedule opened registration at 7 a.m. All Track Days use the Bend at Turn 11 rather than the Kink, which is included on the advanced 4 Mile Drivers Club days.
Should you take a school first?
It is not required, but Road America highly recommends that first-time participants start with the Performance Driving Schools. Drivers who have completed Performance Driving 1 and 2 move up from Novice to Intermediate more quickly. Performance Driving 2 already includes lead/follow sessions on the 4-mile course, so your first Track Day will feel familiar.
Choose the right run group
| Run group | Who it’s for | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | Drivers just starting out or not yet signed off to drive solo (0 to 5 track events). Lead/follow format guided by instructors, with classroom time. | $425 |
| Intermediate | 6 to 10 track days at Road America or an equivalent road course, and signed off to drive solo | $395 |
| Advanced | Approved for the Advanced group at Road America or an equivalent road course | $395 |
Register only for a group you are approved for. Drivers who register for the wrong group will not be permitted on track. If you are unsure, email trackdays@roadamerica.com before you register.
Driver and car requirements
Drivers must be 16 or older with a valid driver’s license. Drivers under 18 need a minor waiver signed by both parents or legal guardians. Passengers are not permitted.
Cars must be street-legal or dedicated track-prepared vehicles suitable for non-competitive track use. Trucks, vans and SUVs are not allowed. Convertibles need factory-installed rollover protection or SCCA or NASA approved rollover protection. The event sound limit is 103 dB.
No car that qualifies? You can rent a RUSH SR, a single-seat, purpose-built track car, through Diversion Motorsports. Availability is limited; in 2026 the rental cost $3,300 including the Track Day fee, helmet and race suit.
What to bring
- A helmet rated Snell SA2015 or newer, in good condition. Rentals are available only at registration.
- Long pants. They are required.
- Your valid driver’s license.
- A completed 2026 Track Day tech sheet. The car’s owner is responsible for its condition, and Road America recommends inspection by a trained mechanic.
- Lunch, water and anything else you need for a full day. Pack lightly, since your car needs to be empty when it goes on track.
Guests are welcome but must sign the waiver and wear a wristband. Grandstands outside Turns 5, 8, 12 and 14 give them good places to watch. Dogs must be leashed and supervised by an adult at all times, including during your sessions, so if you are coming alone, leave the dog at home.
Prepare your car in the paddock
Road America’s track day tips start with a reminder: you have to drive your car home. Before your first session:
- Check fluid levels, belts and wiring, and look for leaks.
- Confirm lug nuts are torqued and tires are at the correct pressure.
- Remove floor mats, empty the glove box, and take everything out of the trunk except a bolted-down spare.
- Close and latch the sunroof, unlock the doors, and make sure the windshield is clean and the wipers work.
In the car, set your seat as upright as is comfortable, adjust your mirrors, cinch your belts snugly, and fasten your helmet.
How the day runs for Novice drivers
Based on the 2026 schedule:
- 7 to 8 a.m.: Registration for all groups, including helmet rentals
- Before 8:30 a.m.: Drivers meeting in Victory Lane
- Morning: Classroom sessions in the Medical Building, then time at the Motorplex, followed by your first lead/follow session on the 4-mile course and a debrief
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Lunch
- Afternoon: More lead/follow sessions with debriefs, plus classroom time
- 5 p.m.: Debrief and wrap-up
Road America notes that schedules are subject to change, so follow the timing given at the drivers meeting.
The rules you’ll use all day
Getting on track. Enter pit lane only from the false grid near Gearbox at the north end of the paddock. When you enter the track, stay to the right all the way through Turn 1. Speed limits are 15 mph in the paddock and 35 mph for the full length of pit lane.
Passing. Every pass needs a point-by. The driver being passed points the following car by, one point per car, and stays on line while the passing car moves off line. All passes must be completed before the shutdown (brake) markers. Passing is allowed only in designated passing zones, which are shown on the map in Road America’s 2026 Track Day schedule. Learn them before your first session.
Flags. Learn them before you arrive. Yellow means slow down with no passing. A blue flag with a yellow stripe means check your mirrors and prepare to point someone by. A black flag shown with your car number means go directly to the black flag station in pit lane. The checkered flag means the session is over: exit at Turn 5 or pit lane, whichever comes next.
Consequences. Passing under yellow costs you the rest of the session. Putting four wheels off the track is an automatic pit stop to check your car, and you. Road America’s last rule sums it up: check your ego at the gate, and wave thanks to the corner workers.
Book your first day
Register online ahead of time. Walk-up registration costs an extra $50 per run group if space remains after online registration closes. Road America may cancel an event at any time, typically at least a week in advance. Gift cards are also available if you are planning a Track Day for someone else.
Ready to drive the National Park of Speed? View Road America Track Day dates and register for the Novice group.