If you've never done a race, you better be of Merckx quality to upgrade to cat2 by August. This means racing nearly every day during Super Week...and winning.
You need 10 mass start races to go from cat5-4, and 20 points to upgrade to cat3 (1st thru 6th get 7-5-4-3-2-1pts). I live 200ft from the start of the Tour of Elk Grove if you ever want to ride. In the mean time, enter every race that comes up. Also join every group ridein the area: Barrington ride on Tuesdays, Harper Ride on Saturdays, Tonne Rd group sprints on thursday nights. You need the pack handling skills.
Upcoming Races:
Date
Name
Location
Cost
Duration
Sat 06/23
UWW Crit
Whitewater, WI
Sun 06/24
UWW Road Race
Whitewater, WI
Sun 06/24
Fox River Grove Criterium
Fox River Grove, IL
Sat 06/30
Proctor Cycling Classic
Brimfield, IL
$20
32 miles
Sun 07/01
Proctor Cycling Classic
Peoria, IL
$25
45min+3
July, 2007
internationalcycling.com
Superweek!
Sun 07/29
ABR Illinois Criterium Champs
Wood Dale, IL
Sun 08/05
Elgin Cycling Classic Criterium
Elgin, IL
$20
40min+4
Sat 08/11
Tour of Elk Grove 3/4
Elk Grove, IL
$20
20min+1
Sat 08/18
USPRO Criterium Championships
Downers Grove, IL
$25
20min+1
And, with that being said, good luck even making cat4 for Elk Grove.