Talk to me about Time Trials

[SBR70.3]

The TX SCCA TT time trial is happening Apr 19th at Hallett Motor Speedway in Jennings, Oklahoma. This is my "home" track and I am going to do this. I looked at the FAQ page regarding TT's on the SCCA website, but want to hear what others have to say. I'd be taking my 2021 Mach 1 for this event.

Any OK/TX/KS/AR/MO members going to this?


Anyone want to share there experience and knowledge about TT events? This will be my first TT. I have done multiple HPDE events. PFA. Damn my car is sexy.

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[ihasnostang]

i did a scca time trials event at road america last year, just for fun though because they didnt have a hdpe option. only things i can think of, at least in the event i went to; they dump everyone on track at once, placed by previous session best time. There was a lap timer board at the start/finish. a rental transponder was supplied for free, i zip tied mine to the mesh grille. They had a little trophy ceremony at the end, and a meal was provided. sign up for the text reminders day of, for notifications about when groups are running

 

[Ewheels]

A friend of mine talked me into trying a TT event some years back. I didn't think I was ready but ended up on the podium at the end of the day. I was hooked after that.

The competition aspect of it makes it a lot of fun. Granted you are fighting for a $5 plastic trophy but still.

Each TT class or event organizer will have their own rules so you kinda have to pick one and stick with it in terms of modding your car. Some go off a point system (base car is so many points and each mod is so many points) and others like NASA are all about power to weight....and you actually have to weigh and dyno your car.

At least for NASA TT events, it seems unless you're on Hoosier A7s, you will not win. Kind of a money barrier if you ask me. We can't all afford $500 tires that last 2 weekends at best.

Some of the smaller organizations try to maintain a 200tw tire class. Those seem the best bang for the buck so to speak.

As far as timing, they grid everyone based on lap times so in theory, the guy in front of you should be faster and the guy behind you should be slower so traffic is significantly reduced. And people generally know what they're doing so you get less idiots on track.

Hope this helps.

 

[Grintch]

For a GT I am not wild about the classing which puts me against C5 Z06, C6, GT350, Lotus Elise, Alfa 4C, Base Cayman, Supra GR. But that should be less of an issue with a Mach 1.

 

[AnywhereInTX]

Can't speak for your region, but I ran local Time Trial events in West Texas and NM for a couple years. It was the only real option has HPDE wasn't as desired in the area. 2 years later, I was hooked as the competition side unlocks a new level of driving for me.

I'll be participating here in the SCCA Washington DC area here soon, targeting late April event at Summit Point Main. What I will run in limits tires to 200TW and I'm a fan of that limitation. I can agree, the competitors in TT generally know how to keep the course fast and give way to people on fliers. My SCCA region also allows TT drivers to pay about a 25% rate fee to run advance HPDE in addition to the TT event if you want to.

 

[webspoke]

I will be at that event, the Texas region SCCA TT group that is hosting it are very good to work with. Knowing the track like you do will make the transition to TT sessions very simple for you. That is how I started at it a few years ago.

Biggest difference you will see in TT is most drivers only run 3-4 laps as the tires tend to slow down with heat after that. After your first session you will be gridded by lap time, so you should be able to keep good spacing to be able to run 1-2 flyers without having to pass anyone (or be passed). So fewer laps, but at full send for most of it.

You have a great car for this, the TX group has a big mustang contingent that will be there - 6-7 drivers in M1's, DH's, gt350s and 500s. Look for the 2 big black 2-car trailers.

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