Open to children ages 7-17 years old (minimum 50” tall) the Junior Racing School is a two day school held between 9am and 2pm. Through a series of exercises taught across both days, the young driver's first learn how to drive their karts and eventually race against their peers. The school not only teaches children how to drive and race, but also the importance of self-confidence, coordination and discipline.

To encourage the students to explore their limits, they are told from the outset that they will make plenty of mistakes and that those mistakes are part of the learning process. It is essential to remove the fear of failure from a student's mind if they are to succeed. The children put on their racing suit, helmet and neck brace, which are provided by CIR, and are then broken into groups.

Once familiar with their karts, they participate in follow-the-leader sessions behind a CIR instructor. At controlled speeds, the children learn how to brake, accelerate, turn and focus on what they are doing. While lapping the track, safety flags are displayed as a test to ensure the students understand what each flag signifies in preparation for an actual race. After successfully passing their flag tests, each group competes in a number of practice races.

Upon completion of the two day school, drivers are presented with a Certificate of Completion and a Junior License that is valid until they are 18. Graduates are also eligible to take part in Junior Practice Sessions, Junior Racing Leagues and Junior Team Endurance Races, as-well-as other junior activities.

Through practice and competition, children will continue to develop the skills they learned during the two days spent in the Junior Racing School which will prove invaluable regardless of whether they're behind the wheel of a race car or just dealing with the ups and downs of daily life.

To register or view the upcoming dates, please follow the Entry Form link. Siblings are able to enter the same school at the reduced rate.

On Friday evenings, Chicago Indoor Racing makes for the perfect setting for parents, friends and older siblings to take to the track with their newly qualified driver. Having completed the Junior Racing School, students are eligible to take part in The Junior Practice Sessions to gain additional practice and seat time to prepare them for the Junior Racing Leagues, or just for a great time racing with family members. We offer Junior Practice Sessions on Friday evenings from 4pm until 9pm. There are three sessions to choose from:

Family Session: A great opportunity for your family to get out and race with your Junior driver. Only your guests will be on the track and will compete in two 20 lap races. Drivers must have gone through our Junior Racing School, or be over 18 with a valid driver's license.

Lead/Follow Session: Your Junior Racer will drive with our instructor for two 20 lap sessions to learn the "racing line" and to build up speed and confidence in a progressive manner.

Practice Session: Perfect for a group of Junior Racers that stayed in touch after the Junior School. A minimum of 5 Junior driver's can race each other for additional practice in three 20 lap races.

Junior Practice Sessions are limited to junior drivers that have completed the Junior Racing School. Reservations are required and can be made up to one week prior to the desired date. Times and dates are subject to availability.

The Junior Racing Leagues are a great way for graduates of the Junior Racing School to continue competing throughout the year. Not only is it a great challenge, it is a great way for your young driver to experience the camaraderie of racing wheel to wheel.

Held on alternating weekends, leagues typically comprise of 10 rounds, with a driver's best five scores counting towards their final championship position. Each round is made up of four 15 lap races, with drivers starting from a variety of grid positions and accruing points based upon their finishing position. Racers are grouped based on a number of factors including age, experience and ability. League rounds alternate between Tracks 1, 2 and 3. Being held indoors, weather is never a factor.

No setup, no re-builds and everyone's using the same equipment making for affordable racing, on a level playing field.

The Junior Team Endurance Races are made up of teams of two junior drivers which are broken into classes based on their experience. Each Team will participate in a 10 minute Timed Practice Session and a 100 lap Feature Race. During the 100 Laps of racing, teams are required to make a minimum of three driver changes. The team’s position on the Starting Grid for the race will be determined by the single best lap time set during timed practice.

With team strategy and driver changes playing a pivotal role in this type of racing, Mom or Dad acting as Manager in the orchestration and timing of Driver Changes will be vital to the overall success of each team.