NGQMA Training Program

The NGQMA training program is required for all new drivers. 

Due to safety standards of the NGQMA, training MUST be attended prior to racing an event at NGQMA's Bill Thomas Raceway.

Please contact Mark Mackie at 678-523-5833 to register for the NGQMA Novice Training Program.

Note to all NGQMA Members:

Monday evenings 6-8 pm are reserved for Novice Practice.

All other days, especially on the Thursday and Friday before a race, the track is reserved for novice practice at the top of each hour for 15 minutes (ex 4:00-4:15, 5:00-5:15).  Novices please be ready to push off at the top of the hour. 

Experienced racers please be considerate and aware of novices in the pit area as the clock nears the top of the hour.

Training Sessions:

Training sessions are generally held on Sundays at 1PM.  . The training schedule is flexible to accomodate each other's life needs.

Any driver in a Novice class is always welcome to participate in a training class.

RACECEIVER RULE FOR NOVICE CLASSES

In June 2010, the club voted to require the use of raceceivers during novice racing and training activities.

This will increase on-track safety and improve driver skills. 

All club member Novice teams must purchase a racecevier, cost is $80. 

For visiting Novice teams the club will provide raceceivers at registration.

The raceceiver radio is available to novice teams to use during individual practice, so the handler can talk to the driver during practice laps.

Sunday Training

Since the City of Cumming owns the track property, we have to follow their rules about racing on Sunday..."No racing on Sunday".

Training is allowed on Sunday under the authority of the Training Director.

Unauthorized Practice is not allowed on Sundays.

During the training sessions the schedule will generally be as follows:

Note to all New Handlers
It is highly recommended that the driver be very comfortable in their car prior to attending training classes. NGQMA reserves the track every Monday from 6PM - 8PM for novice practice. Please take advantage of this time to get your child track time.

Please be at the track with cars, drivers and ALL Safety Gear in the A staging building by the starting time of each training class. All classes will begin promptly at starting time. Please allow 30 minutes lead time to get your gear and equipment ready for the training classes.

Training Tasks
The training agenda can be downloaded here...

TRAINING PROGRAM

SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPECS

The following tasks must be accomplished in order for a child to be eligible to race. The training director and others will evaluate each child to approve them to race.

• Jr. Novice Trainee
  1. Lap time of less than 9 seconds
  2. Demonstrate the ability to come into the pits and stop in a specified pit stall
  3. Demonstrate the ability to line up in various positions for double lineup and single lineup.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to follow flagging by flag person
  5. Demonstrate the ability to cleanly enter track using the blend line
  6. Demonstrate proper response to hand signals
  7. Demonstrate the ability to take the checkered flag from the flag person at the end of a race.

• Sr. Novice Trainee
  

  1. Lap time of less than 8 seconds
  2. Demonstrate the ability to come into the pits and stop in a specified pit stall
  3. Demonstrate the ability to line up in various positions for double lineup and single lineup.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to follow flagging by flag person
  5. Demonstrate the ability to cleanly enter track using the blend line
  6. Demonstrate proper response to hand signals
  7. Demonstrate the ability to take the checkered flag from the flag person at the end of a race.
  
• All Handlers
  Must attend an NGQMA Race and accomplish the following:
  1. Participate in judging a Novice race as sixth judge.
  2. Participate in judging a Jr. Honda or Senior Honda race as a sixth judge.
  3. Corner at least 2 races unless physically unable to do so.

Your kid can enjoy a safe, real-life quarter midget race car driving experience !!! 

North Georgia Quarter Midget Association provides a unique opportunity to "Ride Before You Race" with your young potential driver. 

The program offers a race ready quarter midget Race Car, including all the personal safety items. Cost for the program is $75 (for the liability insurance, which goes toward your membership if you join the club).

Aspiring Drivers will be instructed on the safety basics of car handling and control and taken on a "walking the line" lap around the Bill Thomas Raceway with a certified trainer to point out where to drive the Track Car. 

Then your dirver is off on his/her own to drive the car around the track for 20+ laps.

This gives both driver and parents/guardians a great chance to see if your driver is capable and interested to begin a quarter midget racing career, before spending the money on a race car and all safety equipment!

Who knows, you may have the next Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart or Bobby/Terry Labonte, Reed Sorensen, Joey Logano (all got their start racing quarter midgets)!!!

NGQMA provides the latest personal safety gear which includes the following items:

    * G-Force SA 2000 rated full face helmet
    * Racing Jacket   
    * Neck Restraint
    * Arm Restraints

Note: All safety items complements of Racers Wholesale   (www.racerwholesale.com).

For more information and to schedule a track session to "Ride Before You Race", contact:

Mark Mackie at 678-523-5833