Step 1. Get a helmet.
Step 2. Register for any local auto-x.
Step 3. At the driver's meeting, if they ask for noobs, raise your hand.
Step 4. Go on novice walkthrough
Step 5. Drive the hell out of your car, have fun, ask questions, ride along with others, learn, have others ride with you, learn, have fun.
Step 6. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I would recommend a local FAST event (next month at Brooksville!). We had almost 20 novices at the last event, and I think we handled them well. From the looks of the Brooksville event registration list, I'd say we did a great job in catching their interest . SCCA events are good too. My first auto-x was at an SCCA event, and I've run in several around here. They're a great bunch of people.

I'll let representatives of the other clubs (SMBCCA, PCA, etc) chime in with their novice advice. Not that I represent FAST or SCCA! Those are just the 2 local groups I've run the most with.