Official Requirements
Defensive Driving Programs
Participant must have a valid state issued temporary permit or valid driver's license to enroll. At least a few hours of behind-the-wheel time is strongly recommended prior to attending.
Parents are welcome to enroll in the program with their teenager or stay and observe throughout the day.
All participants are required to sign a liability waiver. The waiver states, in the event of damage to the school vehicle, you would be responsible for up to $2,500 in damages. Parent/guardian signatures are required on the Minor waiver (for participants under the age of 18).
Courses will take place rain or shine. Participants should dress for the weather and must have closed toe shoes (no sandals or flip flops).
Please click HERE for Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy.
High Performance Courses
Participants must have a valid driver's license.
Courses will take place rain or shine. Participants should dress for the weather and must have closed toe shoes (no sandals or flip flops).
High Performance Course: Must be at least 18 years of age or have completed our Teen Defensive Driving Program
Advanced High Performance Course: Must have completed the High Performance Course within the last 2 years.
Lapping Program: Must have completed our Advanced High Performance Course or another Mid-Ohio approved driving program with similar skill sets to enroll. This must have been done within the past 2 years.
- If you have not completed our Advanced High Performance Course, you will need to send an email to info@midohio.com and give complete details of any other driving programs and skill sets you have completed so that a determination can be made regarding your eligibility for this program.
- Holding a racing license through NASA, SCCA, PCA, BMWCCA, or another eligible racing organization is not required for participants.
- Open to professional racers with previous experience running at Mid-Ohio.
- Street-legal cars only
All participants in these programs must sign a liability waiver when using a school car. This waiver states, in the event of damage to the vehicle, you would be responsible for up to the following amounts of damage: $4,500 for High Performance and $7,750 for Advanced High Performance or Lapping Programs.
Helmets must be worn while on track. The Mid-Ohio School has a limited supply of helmets that can be used at no additional charge but if you have your own, please bring it.
Please click HERE for Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy.
Using your street-legal car for a class?
The Mid-Ohio School recommends the following for all on-track programs:
- Personal vehicles will be required to have, at a minimum, working factory installed restraint systems (working seat belts) or the equivalent.
- Tires should have at least 3/32 tread or be DOT approved race tires.
- Brake pads should be less than ¼ used, performance brake pads recommended.
- No visible fluid leaks.
- Convertibles are permitted in the High Performance Course.
- Convertibles are permitted in the Advanced High Performance and Lapping Programs ONLY under the following conditions: A properly welded or bolted-in aftermarket roll bar or properly secured removable hardtop is required. The top of the roll bar must extend one inch above the top of the driver's helmet.
- A 4- or 5- point safety harness is not required, but highly recommended.
- No SUVs, vans or trucks permitted.
- Must have a working FM radio in car to hear instructor while on track.
Suggested maintenance to perform prior to arrival:
- Torque wheels to recommended specs
- Check/adjust tire pressure
- Flush brake fluid system
- Bring extra brake fluid and motor oil
- Bring a tire gauge
- Air is available at track
Upon arrival:
- Remove all loose items from vehicle
- Check tire pressure often during the day
- Re-torque wheels after one or two track sessions
Open Test & Tune
Street Cars:
Participants must use their personal street-legal vehicle.
Drivers must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license.
All drivers must complete The Mid-Ohio School's Damage to Participant Vehicle Waiver form.
Program will take place rain or shine. Please check calendar on website for any possible changes prior to your departure for Mid-Ohio. All drivers should dress for the weather and must have closed toe shoes (no sandals or flip flops).
Eligibility: Lead/Follow sessions are open to drivers new to the track or have completed the High Performance Course. Open Lapping sessions are open to drivers who have completed the Advanced High Performance Course, Lapping Program, or have proof of club credentials and are approved by a Mid-Ohio instructor.
Helmets must be worn while on track. Participants MUST provide their OWN helmets: Full or open face of manufacturer choice (Bell, Simpson, G-Force, etc) with Snell or DOT approval dated at least 2015. Head & neck support system (HANS) recommended but not required. Motorcycle helmets will not be permitted.
The Mid-Ohio School recommends the following for all on-track programs:
- Personal vehicles will be required to have, at a minimum, working factory installed restraint systems (working seat belts) or the equivalent.
- Tires should have at least 3/32 tread or be DOT approved race tires.
- Brake pads should be less than ¼ used, performance brake pads recommended.
- No visible fluid leaks.
- Convertibles are permitted in the Lead/Follow group
- Convertibles are permitted in the Open Lapping group ONLY under the following conditions: A properly welded or bolted-in aftermarket roll bar or properly secured removable hardtop is required. The top of the roll bar must extend one inch above the top of the driver's helmet.
- A 4- or 5- point safety harness is not required, but highly recommended.
- No SUVs, vans, or trucks permitted.
- Participants in lead/follow group must have a working FM radio in car to hear instructor while on track.
Suggested maintenance to perform prior to arrival:
- Torque wheels to recommended specs
- Check/adjust tire pressure
- Flush brake fluid system
- Bring extra brake fluid and motor oil
- Bring a tire gauge
- Air is available at track
Upon arrival:
- Remove all loose items from vehicle
- Check tire pressure often during the day
- Re-torque wheels after one or two track sessions
Race Cars:
Participants must provide own closed wheel or open wheel race car and wear proper safety gear.
All drivers must complete The Mid-Ohio School's Damage to Participant Vehicle Waiver form.
Driver Eligibility: At registration/check-in, all drivers must present their current race license: SCCA, NASA Competition or HPDE4 license, Professional Sports Car Racing, VSCDA, SVRA, Vintage National License, RCCA, Pro-Rally, NASCAR, FIA, EMRA, car club competition license or CASC license. Certificates documenting the completion of a racing course from an accredited driving school within the past 12 months may also be accepted.
Closed wheel groups are divided as follows (NO EXCEPTIONS):
Small bore - B Spec, FP, HP, STU, STL, T3, T4, SRF, SRF3, and SM.
Big bore - AS, GT1, GT2, GT3, GTL, EP, T1, and T2.
Please click HERE for Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy.
Motorcycles: Performance Track Riding
Riders must be at least 18 years of age (no exceptions) and provide their own motorcycle and gear. *If uncertain about bike eligibility or bike prep, please email Mark Junge at mjunge@midohio.com prior to registering.
Riders with no track experience must register for the Beginner group.
All riders must complete The Mid-Ohio School's waivers including damage to Participant Vehicle Waiver form.
All riding sessions will be held rain or shine. Please check calendar on website for any possible changes prior to your departure for Mid-Ohio. In the event of extreme weather conditions, a decision will be made on that day by The Mid-Ohio School on how to proceed.
Please click HERE for Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy.
Bike Preparation
- All motorcycles welcome in Beginner and Novice groups (250cc minimum), Only track ready motorcycles in Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro groups.
- All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to being permitted on to the track. It is the sole responsibility of the rider to ensure their bike meets these requirements. If a bike fails tech inspection, it may be presented for re-inspection at any time. If a bike is involved in a crash, it must be re-inspected prior to being permitted on to the track. No refunds will be made for bikes which fail to pass tech inspection or are unable to complete the day.
- All bikes must be prepared to endure high speeds on track. All parts must be fastened securely and adjusted correctly.
- All fuel, coolant, hydraulic and lubrication systems must be fluid tight. Fluid leaks on the track shorten everyone’s day.
- Intermediate and Advanced group bikes must use a non-ethylene glycol coolant. Water and/or water wetter, or propylene glycol solutions such as Evans, Engine Ice, Liquid Performance, or 7th gear, are permitted.
- Intermediate and Advanced group bikes must have oil drain plugs, oil filler caps, oil filters, or any filler/drain for any fluid system secured with safety wire. Application of RTV silicone will be accepted in Beginner and Novice only.
- Oil filters: K&N, Hiflo, or Vortex oil filters with a spot-welded nut will NOT be permitted.
- Tires must be in good condition, without signs of excessive wear.
- Tire valves must have caps and wheel weights must be taped.
- Brakes must be in good working order with a minimum of 1.5mm of pad remaining.
- Discs must not be excessively worn or loose.
- All bikes must have a functioning, well-marked engine cut-off switch on the handlebar near the right hand grip.
- Throttles must operate smoothly and be self-closing.
- Any glass or plastic lenses must be taped completely.
- Mirrors and turn indicators are permitted in the Beginner and Novice groups only. All others must be removed.
- License plates must be removed or have bolts taped.
- Center stands are not permitted in the Intermediate and Advanced groups and we recommend removing them for the Beginner and Novice groups.
Rider Gear Requirements
- All riders must wear a damage-free full-face helmet with a properly fitted face shield. DOT certification is a minimum requirement. SNELL, ECE, or other enhanced certification is recommended. Modular (flip-up) helmets are permitted in Beginner and Novice groups only.
- Full-finger, full wrist coverage gauntlet style gloves are required.
- All riders must wear sturdy over the ankle boots. Riding boots are required for Intermediate and Advanced groups.
- All riders must wear one or two-piece suits with substantial reinforcement and padding in critical areas (knees, elbows, shoulders, and back at a minimum.)
- Beginner and Novice group riders must wear one or two piece leather or textile suits. It is recommended that two-piece suits provide attachment between jacket and pants.
- Intermediate and Advanced group riders must wear one or two piece leather suits designed for motorcycle use. Two-piece leathers must provide at least 50% attachment between jacket and pants.
- Intermediate and Advanced group riders must wear a back protector designed for motorcycle competition in lieu of, or in addition to, the standard back padding in their suit.
- One-piece leathers from size 38-52 are available to rent ($100/day) for full-day programs. Click here for sizing information. All other gear must be provided by the rider. **Requests for leather rentals must be received by noon on Friday before the track day.