How to organise a skid course from booking to first run

A skid course needs more coordination than a normal driving day: the venue, participant paperwork, cars, safety equipment and catering all have to line up. Start by securing the training location and confirming the programme, then work backwards from the event date for registrations, payments and participant instructions. In the final week, check the forecast, vehicles, fuel, route and catering order. On the day, allow time to mark parking, set up registration and brief participants before driving begins.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Reserve the skid training location
2
Make catering arrangements
3
Send invitations
4
Process registrations
5
Collect dietary requirements
6
Update participant list
7
Check payments
8
Share the route to the venue
9
Send participant instructions
10
Check the weather forecast
11
Confirm Program Final
12
Confirm catering order
13
Check the shopping list
14
Do the shopping
2 people
15
Chill drinks
16
Print participant list
17
Print waiver forms
18
Compile the music playlist
19
Check the cars and fuel
2 people
20
Collect materials
2 people

Event

21
Open venue
2 people
22
Mark parking spaces
2 people
23
Set up the reception area
3 people
24
Set up the registration table
25
Set out coffee and tea
2 people
26
Test the music and speaker
27
Receive participants
2 people
28
Register attendance
29
Have liability waivers signed
30
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
31
Attend the safety briefing
12 people
32
Assign groups and starting order
2 people
33
Guide participants to the lane
2 people
34
Facilitate fin exercises
2 people
35
Refill water and soft drinks
36
Take group photo
37
Serve snacks
2 people
38
Set up the buffet
3 people
39
Serve dinner
3 people
40
Refill drinks
41
Handle prize ceremony
42
Provide music
43
See off the last participants
2 people

Aftercare

44
Collect tableware
2 people
45
Store leftovers in the fridge
2 people
46
Collect waste
2 people
47
Clean the room
3 people
48
Load materials
2 people
49
Return borrowed items
2 people
50
Check invoices and deposit
51
Share photos with participants

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 14
Folding tableclothqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 30
Platesqty 18
Cutlery setsqty 18
Coffee cupsqty 18
Serving plattersqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Phone chargersqty 3

Sports equipment

Safety vestsqty 14
Traffic conesqty 12
Bib numbersqty 14
Stopwatchesqty 3
Prizesqty 3
Umbrellasqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4
Aluminum foil
Food storage containersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpan
Mopqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Book the skid training location before sending invitations, then confirm the final programme before publishing the participant instructions. The driving format affects arrival times, group sizes and how much time each person gets on the course.
Close registrations early enough to update the participant list, check payments and collect dietary requirements. Print the list and waiver forms before leaving for the venue so registration does not depend on a phone signal or last-minute edits.
Check every car and its fuel level before the event, not when participants arrive. Share the route to the venue in advance and include a clear arrival time, parking instructions and any items participants must bring.
Treat the final week as a separate control point: check the weather forecast, confirm the catering order, review the shopping list and chill drinks. Coffee, tea, cups and serving equipment are easy to overlook when attention is focused on the driving programme.
Open the venue with enough time to mark parking and set up the reception and registration areas. Put out safety vests, traffic cones and bib numbers before the first briefing, and test the speaker, extension cords and power strips before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a skid course venue?: Book the training location as soon as you have a likely date, preferably at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead. This leaves time for invitations, registrations, payments and participant instructions before the course.
When should I close registrations for a skid course?: Close registrations at least 7 days before the event. Use the final week to update the participant list, check payments, collect dietary requirements and print waiver forms.
How early should I arrive to set up a skid course?: Allow at least 90 minutes before participant arrival for venue opening, parking spaces, reception, registration and safety equipment. Add extra time if catering or vehicle checks must also be completed on site.
What should I check the day before a skid course?: Check the weather forecast, confirm the final programme and catering order, review the shopping list, and verify that cars have enough fuel. Also make sure the route, participant instructions and printed paperwork are ready.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.