There is always a hurdle, percieved or real, for people to get started in motorsport. It can be very daunting starting out, and for most, heading straight out onto a track with a dozen or so other cars can be very intimidating and potentially unwise if you're not going a similar speed to others.
It's best for beginners to start out with a type of event where other drivers aren't zooming past you and where you can have an instructor with you, helping guide you in how to drive on a track. There are therefore three types of events that best meet these criteria.
1. Motorkhana - Slow speeds, usually only 1st and 2nd gear, no other cars in close proximity and can have a passenger/instructor. This is a great place to start, learning car control in a very safe environment.
2. Hillclimbs - Typically slower speeds than on a racetrack and you will have the track to yourself, even if it's only a short run, so you can go at your own pace. Typically passengers are not allowed, but some events will have free practice sessions before commencing competition where passengers are allowed. The only downside is that hillclimb tracks can be very technically challenging and require an extra degree of caution.
3. Sprints (especially Come & Try) - Sprints or Super Sprints are your typical club level track day, where a group of cars are on the track together for a session of 10-20 minutes at a time racing only the clock, not each other. Usually these groups are organised by expected lap times, but there can still be a lot of variation. Many events cater for beginners by having a run group of slower cars and less experienced drivers.
Come & Try days (or sessions of sprint days) are a variation of this where instructors are provided to new drivers and they go out on track without timing and without being pressured by those aiming to set new PBs. These sessions are much more relaxed and a great way for people to learn a track and how to drive their car without the added stress of going it alone.
If you are unsure where to start, please get in touch with someone from the club, we'll be more than happy to help!