For 2005, SCCA is making time trials a more formal program under Club Racing. It's designed to bridge the gap between out-and-out racing and Solo II, without much of the expense. It'll offer those with a strong interest in competition a structured method to 'check the waters' at higher speeds. I expect over time we'll see TT events at most SCCA Regions throughout the country. Here's a link to my post in the SW forums:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....43#post1449243

 

Just an FYI, Many regions were already running a TT program, including our local chapter. SCCA just realized they were missing the boat and added the program.

 

Sounds like our Solo1 program in Canada.

 

SCCA still has a Solo I program, but this Time Trial program is different. More actual track time, less mandatory safety equipment (full cages, 5-7 point harness, etc.) and stringent protocols around how to modify (ie. cone down) certain high speed areas on a racetrack to make them suitable for Solo competition.

Add the AMB timing system that many regions are now running and you have a cost effective program to attract new people to competition. Combine this with a structured licensing program and SCCA's safety regs and I think this new motorsports format has a lot of potential!

 

Our Cdn Solo1 isn't as restrictive as SCCA's Solo1. We have cage requirements, but only for convertibles and cars which jump up 4+ classes. No cones on the track either.

I think it's an excellent stepping stone from Solo2 for those looking for more running time and speed. The fuel, tire, and brake costs are not that much larger as we have limited practice sessions and our morning and afternoon timed sessions are only 1 warm-up, 3 hot, and 1 cool down.

 

With the AMB systems, it is amazing how much more actual driving time you get compared with solo 2.

 

Just curious about Solo I events north of the border: who sanctions your Canadian series and what tracks you run at? What provisions are made for safety (ie. ambualance, EMTs, tow trucks, etc.)? Also, do you need to be a member of the sanctioning body and how much are the entry fees?

 

NASA has jumped on the TT wagon as well. It's a great way to spark some friendly competition without the wheel to wheel racing and safety regulations that go with it. I've been meaning to get a transponder to partake in it since I run in the same group.

 

CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE SPORTS CLUBS ONTARIO REGION (CASC-OR) is our main sanctioning body.

Some of the track the series visits in the Ontario region are: Shannonville, Mosport Driver's Developement Track (DDT), Toronto Motorsports Park, and hopfully Calabogie sometime in the future.

Proactive safety is through driver's meetings, and strict harness, helmet, and (in some cases) cage regulations. Reactive safety is left up to the track in most cases although I'm sure the directors/regulations expect some standard.

Entry fees are typically $110 Cdn per day.

Further details can be found at the Solo Ontario site.

 

Interesting stuff- yet I couldn't find whether having a SCCA National competition license would allow me to participate in any of the CASC events. I've always wanted to run at tracks like Mosport and Shannonville.

 

Hrm... the OH/IN chapter had TT groups combined with the instructor group at Mid-Ohio in April. It turned out to be W2W though, and it was an interesting experience to say the least. Regardless, it was a recipe for a potential disaster...

 

Way too wild, eh? I would think that running with an instructor group (especially in practice) would help the TT drivers find their way a little easier. But M-O is a highly technical track and hard for first-timers to learn. Anybody get dragged out of the kitty litter or tire walls?

 

I must agree with John on this issue... the mindset of a driver trying to get the best lap times, combined with drivers out there trying to learn the track is asking for trouble. Its not the TT drivers handling the traffic we worry about... its TT drivers concentrating on getting the fastest lap times AND worrying about taking a pass or giving a passing signal, driving off-line in traffic... all these things start adding up and eventually something's got to give. If someone is pushing their car to its limit (which does happen in TTs) we'd rather there be as little traffic around as possible if that limit is crossed.

We've been running an almost identical time trial event at our HPDEs for the last 5 years and we plan on upgrading to an AMB system for 2006. Obviously we'll be trying out different run group configurations, but we're thinking time trial groups of 10 or 15 cars at a time, grouped by speed potential, will allow greater participation, while maintaining our high safety standards.

We will always require time trial cars to have a minimum 4-point roll bar along with 5-pt harnesses, fire extinguisher, and SA rated helmets (minimum for all in 2006). Sure, not as many people can participate, but we feel its a necessary requirement since even though its not head-to-head racing, it IS competition and the stakes are a lot higher.

I personally think any competitive high-speed motorsport event organizer is negligent if they don't require these minimum safety requirements. JMHO

-Stacy

 

Stacy- I understand your points and the SCCA (and the insurance underwriters as well, to be sure) wrote specific rules and procedures to address them. One of the points of the SCCA TT series is to bring the risks down by coning off certain areas, having limited #'s of cars on the track and keeping them grouped according to speed and ability. SCCA requires all the safety equipment (full roll cages, 5/6 point harnesses, fire systems, etc. in both Solo I and Club Racing, but that limits how many Solo II folks would ever want to try this.

Every SCCA region should be adhering to these procedures to prevent things from getting WTW. From what I've seen in Colorado, it's looking good!