SDC BEGINNER DAY
2026 Beginner Day Schedule
August 8th @ Buttonwillow Classic
October 4th @ Buttonwillow Classic
November 21st @ Streets of Willow
First Timers - Beginners - Intermediate - Advanced
SDC Beginner Day 🏁
Welcome to SoCal Drivers Club’s Beginner Day — the perfect place to start your track driving journey in a safe, supportive, and high-energy environment.
Whether it’s your very first time on track, you’re working toward your first Sub2 lap, or you’re an experienced driver looking to sharpen your skills, our Beginner Day track event is designed to help you grow as a driver with guidance from experienced coaches and instructors.
What To Expect
Our Training Camp combines:
✅ On-track driving sessions
✅ Classroom sessions led by our professional coaching staff
✅ Lead & follow coaching
✅ Driver feedback and guidance
✅ A safe and controlled learning environment
You’ll work alongside our experienced race coaches who will help you build confidence, improve technique, and better understand how to safely drive on track.
Why SDC Beginner Day?
At SoCal Drivers Club, safety is always our top priority.
Our coaches focus on:
Track safety and awareness
Proper driving fundamentals
Vision and braking techniques
Racing line basics
Vehicle preparation
Building confidence behind the wheel
We want every driver to leave feeling more comfortable, more capable, and excited to continue their track journey.
Perfect For:
🏁 First-time track drivers
🏁 Drivers looking to improve lap times
🏁 Drivers in Intermediate and Advanced groups looking for clean track time
🏁 Anyone wanting to experience track driving the right way
No prior track experience is required.
Included With Registration
Professional coaching
Classroom sessions
Lead & follow instruction
Photography coverage
Driver welcome bag
Snacks & refreshments
Access to the SDC community and partners
Intermediate Driver Development Program
The Next Step in Your Track Driving Journey
Ready to build on the fundamentals and take your driving to the next level?
Our Intermediate Driver Development Program is designed for drivers who have completed our Beginner Day Program or have prior track experience and are looking to continue improving their skills in a structured, coached environment.
This program serves as the natural progression from our First Timer and Beginner Day programs, helping drivers become more confident, consistent, and capable as speeds increase and the pursuit of faster lap times begins.
What You'll Learn
Working alongside our experienced coaching staff, you'll focus on more advanced driving concepts, including:
Advanced braking techniques
Developing consistency behind the wheel
Understanding vehicle balance and grip
Learning how to safely drive closer to the limit
Building confidence at higher speeds
Corner analysis and execution
We'll also break down key sections of the track, including:
The Off Ramp
The Bus Stop
The Sweeper
Through classroom instruction, on-track exercises, and coach feedback, you'll gain a deeper understanding of what makes a fast, safe, and consistent driver.
Designed for Continued Growth
The Intermediate Program is not about chasing lap times. It's about building the skills and habits that naturally lead to faster, safer driving. Whether your goal is to move into advanced run groups, compete in Time Attack, or simply become a more capable driver, this program provides the foundation to get there.
📍 Next Beginner Day
Buttonwillow Raceway
📅 August 8, 2026
📅 October 4, 2026
Streets of Willow
📅 November 21, 2026
Ready to hit the track!?!? 👀🔥
👇 Registration is now open
[LINK BELOW]
We look forward to seeing you at the track!
— SoCal Drivers Club 🏎️
Event Registration
Event Registration
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![Buttonwillow Classic - Beginner Day 8/8/26 [Saturday]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fffbb6941e64f18218cebf3/0b920c64-430e-4d48-94c1-cf8fe07f772a/Title+copy.png)
![Buttonwillow Classic - Beginner Day 10/4/26 [Sunday]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fffbb6941e64f18218cebf3/e19aa247-d871-456b-8a03-852e5a57d2ef/Title.png)
Head Driving Coach: Michael Ryan Johnson
Michael Ryan Johnson (@MJDrive22). Michael brings to our drivers a wealth of experience having coached at a number of schools including Palmer Sport in England and the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles. Michael’s coaching style is driver focused and data driven, utilizing data acquisition systems to establish where your driving is strong and identify areas of opportunity. Michael’s driving background includes everything from kart racing where he was three times national champion, to international formula car competition. Michael continues to race sports cars actively and recently finished on the podium in the 14 hour race at Daytona and the 24 hour race at Virginia International Raceway.
Driver Groups
A ) First Timers (Green Group) - For First Time track drivers. This will be a coaching heavy day, with a gradual build up of speed throughout the day. Between each driving session will be classroom sessions where the group will discuss different elements of safety, etiquette and the fundamentals of high performance driving. After this class, drivers should be ready to sign up for a regular track day and run safely and comfortable in the Beginner Group.
B ) Beginner (Yellow Group) - Drivers who have 1-5 track days. This will be a coaching heavy day, with a gradual build up of speed throughout the day. Between each driving session will be class room sessions where the group will discuss different elements of safety, etiquette and the fundamentals of high performance driving. After this class, drivers should be ready to sign up for a regular track day and run safely and comfortable in the Beginner Group to Intermediate Groups.
C ) Intermediate (Blue Group) - For drivers who simply want to lap, without classroom sessions or coaching. Low Intermediate & High Intermediate groups. Limited to 25 drivers per group. Point by passing only.
D ) Advanced (Red Group) – For drivers who simply want to lap, without classroom sessions or coaching. Limited to 20 drivers. Open passing group.
Curriculum
Group A & B: Beginner Groups (Green & Yellow)
A low speed, low stress introduction to track day driving with a focus on good driving technique, safety and learning the proper way to drive on track while getting professional track coaching. We prepared this day to be how I wish my first track day went.
Session 1 – Low speed reconnaissance laps, Lead follow.
Classroom – Overview to track driving, safety, starting slow and building up speed
Session 2 – Braking exercises
Learning about our cars braking system, hard braking effort, feeling ABS
Session 3 –Driving Lines (lead follow session, including point by’s)
Driver vision & track awareness, point by’s, flags
Session 4 – Throttle technique, Using the throttle and weight transfer.
Session 5 – Car control, catching slides, what to do if things go wrong.
FAQs
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At minimum a Snell/SA approved helmet. Racing gloves, Balaclava and racing shoes are recommended. We can assist with ordering from our partner shop Sparco. Long pants, close toed shoes, t-shirt or L/S shirt.
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Please refer to the tech form below & our Beginner Handbook. We highly recommend scheduling a pre track inspection from one of our partner shops.
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Our day will start at 8am and end at 5pm. We recommend drivers to show up to the track by 7am. We will group drivers based on experience. Each group will have assigned professional coaches to work with. There will be staggered sessions through-out the day with alternating classroom instruction and on track lapping. A detailed email will be sent out prior to the event with your full schedule and rules of the event.
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General tools are helpful, such as a tire pressure gauge, torque wrench for wheels, lots of water & snacks. Layered clothing is also recommended. Please talk with the shops we have available to work with.
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Feb 7th, 2026 @ Streets of Willow
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Check out the beginner handbook!
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Find our Policy here: https://www.socaldriversclub.com/terms
