Starting out in Motorsport

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.