TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 23, 2018) -- A first draft of rules for the new Time Trials (TT) Nationals program is now available online for analysis at www.sccahq.com/time-trials-rules. SCCA® members and non-members alike now have until March 15 to review the preliminary rules and share thoughts or ideas through the online TT Feedback Form.
The interactive TT Nationals rules page allows users to look at a general description for each of the four competition levels, search out a detailed rundown of rules for each level, and peruse safety guidelines. Heyward Wagner, SCCA’s Director of Marketing and Experiential Programs, said a committee consisting of Sports Car Club of America® members and national staff has been working together to create this first iteration of TT Nationals rules.
“Before writing any of these rules, the Time Trials Board discussed the purpose of the program. While other programs focus on parity, balanced performance and spec competition, it was felt that TT offers an opportunity to focus more on development, progression and performance,” Wagner said. “From this, we arrived at the idea that Time Trials is all about a quest for speed. So, the rules are designed to allow for more freedom and creativity than one might find in autocross or road racing. And, while that is important in establishing an identity for TT, it is equally important to create a culture for TT Nationals where participants can first challenge themselves to set a personal best or record, but also create a space for a collective effort to challenge the track.”
The TT Nationals rules were constructed to outline modifications/preparations that can be made in each of the four TT Nationals car classes. At one end of the spectrum is the “entry level” where simple modifications can be accomplished using tools purchased at nearly any local hardware store. At the other end of the spectrum is the “anything goes” class where creativity is welcomed and practically any car modification is allowed.
In 2018, TT Nationals joins the ranks of the SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, Tire Rack Solo® Nationals, DirtFish SCCA RallyCross National Championship and Unites States Road Rally Challenge. The event, slated to take place Sept. 28-30 at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, opens with a full day of track lapping sessions for testing and practice or can be used for participants to earn their TT novice license permit.
The second day of TT Nationals will open with 20-minute seeding sessions used to determine run groups and orders, followed by a traditional time attack in the afternoon where drivers get one warm-up lap, then have a single lap to post their best time.
For the final day of TT Nationals, NCM Motorsports Park will be divided into sections for point-to-point runs. Each competitor will have multiple chances to put down their best time on shortened segments of track.
“This year we aim to establish SCCA as the leader in amateur Time Trials competition in the United States,” Wagner added. “Additionally, we will look to generate an event format for the TT Nationals that can be adopted in whole or parts by regions for their TT events. We want to help regions see how TT can be a useful tool for drawing automotive enthusiasts to the Club to have fun with cars.”
The Sports Car Club of America®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both Club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the SCCA annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the SCCA's activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Chevrolet, the Official Truck of the SCCA; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA; Mobil 1, the Official Oil of SCCA; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA. To learn more, please visit www.scca.com.
Photo Credit: Daniel Cutrer
