The Australian Racing Drivers Club

For members and guests

Starting Out

Start Your Two-Wheeled Motorsport Journey

Events for Every Rider.

Thinking about getting into motorcycle racing but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. The good news is that two-wheeled motorsport has something for just about everyone—and you don’t need a race bike or years of experience to get started.

The ARDC is proud to host and support motorcycle events at Sydney Motorsport Park in partnership with Motorcycling Australia (MA) and a wide range of affiliated clubs. MA is the governing body for motorcycle sport in Australia and oversees thousands of events each year, from entry-level ride days through to national championships across road racing, dirt track, motocross, supermoto and more.

First Steps: Ride Days

If you’re curious about what it’s like to ride on track, the best starting point is a Ride Day. These are non-competitive, track-based experiences where you can bring your own bike and ride in a controlled, safe environment.

At Sydney Motorsport Park, our partners like MotoDNA and Motorcycle Events Group Australia (MEGA) run ride days with experienced instructors, many of whom are racers themselves. You’ll learn track etiquette, gain confidence, and build your skills—no racing licence required.

Come and Try Days

Once you’ve had a taste of the track, you might want to explore Come and Try Days. These are beginner-friendly, low-pressure events run by motorcycle clubs across the country.

They’re designed to give you hands-on experience of what a real motorcycle competition environment feels like, with guidance from officials and seasoned riders. You’ll get time on track, learn event procedures, and understand what you need in terms of gear, licences, and bike preparation.

To find one near you, check the SMSP Calendar or use the Motorcycling Australia Club Finder to connect with clubs that suit your riding style—whether that’s road racing, dirt, or track-based competition.

Grassroots Motorcycle Events at SMSP

When you’re ready to take it up a notch, there’s a whole world of grassroots events to try. At Sydney Motorsport Park, we host and support:

  • Road Racing (Club and State Rounds): Competitive racing on the Grand Prix circuit against riders in your class.
  • Track-Based Training & Coaching: Skill-building events where you sharpen racecraft, braking and cornering.
  • Supermoto & Dirt Track (partner clubs): A mix of tarmac and dirt sections for riders who love variety.

These events typically require at least a Senior National Licence from Motorcycling Australia (or a Junior licence if you’re under 16). The good news is you can apply for these online via MA’s RiderNet system, and clubs can help guide you through the process.

Licences & Next Steps

  • Ride Days: No licence required beyond your road motorcycle licence.
  • Come and Try / Club-Level Racing: One Event Licence or Junior/Senior Restricted Licence through MA.
  • Road Racing & Higher Levels: Senior National Licence (16+), with Kick Start and Junior National options for younger riders.
  • Licences are easy to apply for online and give you access to thousands of events nationwide.

Ready to Ride?

Still got questions? That’s what we’re here for. Whether it’s your first ride on track, your first step into competition, or you’re chasing bigger goals, there’s a place for you in motorcycle sport. And it could all begin right here at Sydney Motorsport Park, the home of the ARDC.

Start Your Four-wheeled Motorsport Journey

Events for Every Driver

Thinking about jumping into motorsport but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. The good news is that motorsport offers something for just about everyone—and you don’t need a race car or years of experience to get going.

The ARDC is a Motorsport Australia-affiliated club, and the governing body runs over 3,000 events each year, from entry-level try days to national championships on both tarmac and on dirt.

If you’re curious about what it’s like on track and just want to dip your toe in, the best starting point is a Track Day. Track days or evenings, like our SMSP Track Days, or the Nightshift Track and Social Nights for ARDC Members, are run by our partners Driving Solutions have administrative staff and instructors who are either actively racing, or have raced and know the best ways to begin in the sport.

After you have a few track days under your belt, you will have more of an idea of the discipline you may want to pursue. You can then start to look at Come and Try Days. These are low-pressure, beginner-friendly events run by car clubs across the country.

Here at Sydney Motorsport Park, we host and support plenty of these kinds of events for multiple disciplines and many different clubs (not just ours!). They’re designed to introduce you to the sport in a safe and welcoming environment. You’ll get time on track, a feel for how an event runs, and guidance from experienced officials and volunteers.

To find a Come and Try Day near you, check out the SMSP Calendar and see if a club like ours – or one that is specifically for your discipline or your type of vehicle – is happening soon on a date that may suit you. Reach out to the club – they’ll help you understand what you need to bring, from licences to helmets and any car requirements. A great reference is the Motorsport Australia Club Finder, if you want to contact a specific club.

Once you’ve had a taste and you’re ready to take it up a notch, there’s a whole world of grassroots events you can try next. Here are a few to consider that Sydney Motorsport Park hosts:

  • Motorkhanas: Tight, twisty courses in a car park or skidpan. Think precision over speed.
  • Supersprints: Timed laps around the real race track. Racing against the clock, not other cars
  • Skidpan/Skid Circuit Drifting: The fun of drifting while learning car control and dynamics

These all fall under what Motorsport Australia (MA) calls “Speed Events,” and all you need to compete is a Speed Licence, which you can apply for online in a few minutes. Once you have a basic license with MA, you can browse the event calendar within their portal to see what’s coming up.

Some events may require you to contact the organiser directly, and the club can guide you through those steps. You can also explore Motorsport Australia’s venues list to see where events are being held across the country, including right here at Sydney Motorsport Park, one of the country’s best-equipped venues.

Still got questions? We’re always happy to help point you in the right direction. Whether it’s your first time in pit lane or you’re looking to step up into regular competition, there’s a place for you in motorsport, and it might just start here at SMSP, the home of the ARDC.

Motorcycle Racing Licences

Motorcycle Racing Licence Overview – Motorcycling Australia

Motorcycling Australia is the national governing body for motorcycle racing in Australia, covering disciplines like road racing, motocross, trials, supercross, dirt track, supermoto, and speedway. It operates under the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) umbrella Wikipedia.

Below is a breakdown of the available licence types, who they’re for, and what is required.

How to Apply: RiderNet & Member Portal

All motorcycle competition licences are managed through RiderNet, MA’s online portal, which connects state governing bodies and streamlines licence applications and renewals. Licences are issued for a 12-month period from the date they’re issued.

  • Junior Riders (under 16)
    • Start with a Junior National Licence. You need ID, Kick Start completion, and a club membership.
  • Adult Riders (16+)
    • Get a Senior National Licence. You’ll need competency proof (road licence or assessment), club membership, ambulance cover (varies by state), and to pass the MA theory test.
  • New to Racing?
    • Try a One Event Licence if on offer at an event to test the waters – this also contributes toward your competency recognition.
  • More Roles & Specialties?
    • MA provides separate Media Licences, High-Performance endorsements, and officials’ licences where needed.

Motorcycle Racing Licences in Australia

Junior Riders (Under 16)

Licence: Junior National / Junior Restricted

  • Age: 12–15
  • Kick Start program required
  • Club membership + proof of age
  • Access to motocross, dirt track, road racing, and more (age-appropriate classes)

Senior Riders (16+)

Licence: Senior National / Senior Restricted

  • Age: 16+
  • Must prove riding competency (road licence, past MA licence, or assessment)
  • Ambulance cover (except TAS & QLD)
  • Club membership required
  • Theory test for first-time applicants

Single Event Licence

  • For newcomers or trial riders
  • Valid for one event only
  • Counts toward competency proof for full licence
  • Quick online application

Elite & Endorsements

  • High-performance endorsements for premier classes
  • Media licences for non-racing roles
  • Officials’ licences available for support crew

RiderNet & Member Portal – CLICK HERE

Starting Out: Car Racing Licences

In Australia, there are two main sanctioning bodies that issue car competition licences: Motorsport Australia (MA) and the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA).
Both provide pathways for competitors from grassroots events through to national-level racing, with licences tailored to different disciplines like circuit, rally, drifting, off road and motorkhana.

Entry-Level and Speed Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • Speed and Speed Junior are the entry-level options.
  • Speed Junior licences are available from age 12, though under-14 competitors are limited to non-speed events such as motorkhanas and trials.
  • From 14 years and up, juniors can compete in speed events including sprints, drifting and rallycross.
  • Requirements:
    • Current club membership
    • Completed application
    • Medical statement

AASA

  • AASA’s equivalent is the Club Racing Licence (minimum age 14), which covers sprints, drifting, time attack and similar events.
  • Juniors from 12 years can apply for a Junior Licence for non-speed events and supervised speed activities.
  • Applications are completed online and generally require only a self-declared medical.

For many competitors, these entry-level licences are all they’ll ever need.

Circuit Racing Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • To race wheel-to-wheel, you’ll need a Circuit licence.
  • Requirements:
    • Circuit race licence lecture
    • Medical examination
    • Observed Licence Test (OLT) assessing driving style, ability and attitude
  • OLT exemptions apply if you have:
    • Competed in five or more MA supersprints or regularity events in the past two years, or
    • Hold an Australian Karting Association Grade B licence or higher
  • Licences start provisional until you complete three circuit race events to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Course.
  • Top-level categories, such as Supercars, require an Australian Superlicence.
  • MA also issues five grades of international licences, covering everything up to Formula 1.

AASA

  • AASA offers the National Racing Licence, which allows participation in circuit racing events under AASA sanction.
  • Applicants must complete a medical examination. An observed test may be required depending on prior experience.
  • Provisional licences can be issued for newcomers, stepping up once they’ve demonstrated competency.

Rally and Off Road Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • Rally and off road each require their own licences, available from club level through to national.
  • Requirements include:
    • Online lecture
    • Medical examination
    • Observed Licence Test (OLT) for drivers (not required for navigators)
  • National Rally licences are mandatory for tarmac rally competitions, along with completion of the Motorsport Australia Online Tarmac Rally Safety Course, accessible via the Member Portal.

AASA

  • AASA issues a Rally Licence and Off Road Licence at both state and national levels.
  • Requirements vary by discipline, but typically include an online application and medical declaration.
  • Navigators are not required to undertake an OLT.

Other Licence Types

  • Motorkhana/KhANACROSS: Both Motorsport Australia and AASA provide specific entry-level licences for motorkhana and khanacross competitors, often available as day licences for newcomers.
  • One Event Licences: AASA offers single-event licences online, while Motorsport Australia offers similar event-based permits through affiliated clubs fortheir days. These are a good way to try motorsport before committing to an annual licence.

Safety First

Both Motorsport Australia and AASA place safety as their top priority. Event-specific safety requirements are provided through your chosen club when you register.

Motorsport Licence Options at a Glance

Motorsport Australia vs AASA

Entry Level / Speed

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Speed Licence (14+)
  • Junior Speed (12+, non-speed until 14)
  • Requires: Car club + medical statement

🔵 AASA

  • Club Racing Licence (14+)
  • Junior Licence (12+)
  • Requires: Online application + self-declared medical

Circuit Racing

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Circuit Licence (lecture + medical + OLT)
  • Provisional until 3 races complete
  • FIA pathway: Superlicence + International licences

🔵 AASA

  • National Racing Licence (medical, sometimes OLT)
  • Provisional available
  • No FIA pathway

Rally & Off Road

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Rally/Off Road Licences (club to national)
  • Requires: online lecture + OLT + medical
  • Tarmac Rally: National Rally Licence + Online Safety Course

🔵 AASA

  • Rally/Off Road Licences (state and national)
  • Requires: online application + medical declaration
  • Navigators don’t need OLT

Motorkhana / Khanacross

  • Both MA and AASA: Junior licences from 12+, day licences available

Section 5: One-Event Options

🟢 MA: Available through affiliated clubs
🔵 AASA: Online purchase

Motorsport Australia Licencing page – CLICK HERE

AASA Licencing Page – CLICK HERE