couple of questions about time trialing

[ajcjr]

ok so i have been beating my head in for the past 8 months deciding on what next racing project i should take on and i am looking to get into something soon so hear goes some questions for you time trialing folks to help me narrow my search:

 

1. has anyone here switched from wheel to wheel racing to time trialing? What are some of the pro's and con's of TT compared to wheel to wheel?

 

2. I have been doing alot of reading here and how do you pick the car you want torun. I love mustangs, corvettes and porsches. Can these be competitive without breaking the bank, are most cars you start out with upgradeable if you want to move up in class? Any suggestions on a goo dfast car to begin with that you can move up with also?

 

3. What do you bring to the track, i am assuming most trailer there cars, is an enclosed trailer neccessary, do you bring extra tires or just tools.

 

4. How is the competition? In order to time trial do you have to complete any schooling? And how does time trialing work, are you basically on qualifying laps with a big group, solo??

 

Sorry for all the questions but appreciate your help and thanks to those who reply.

[Shawn M.]

ok so i have been beating my head in for the past 8 months deciding on what next racing project i should take on and i am looking to get into something soon so hear goes some questions for you time trialing folks to help me narrow my search:

 

1. has anyone here switched from wheel to wheel racing to time trialing? What are some of the pro's and con's of TT compared to wheel to wheel?

 

 

It compares in that TT is really nothing more than a qualifying session. Typically you get 4 run groups a day so somewhere in there you are looking for one fast lap. Nothing more, no race tactics either. On the contrary, you are expected to be cooperative with the other drivers, no dive bombing the corners is the biggest no-no. Drive the track aggressively however you drive the other participants with care and respect. Passing rules are fairly open in most regions. Thats the jist of it.

 

2. I have been doing alot of reading here and how do you pick the car you want torun. I love mustangs, corvettes and porsches. Can these be competitive without breaking the bank, are most cars you start out with upgradeable if you want to move up in class? Any suggestions on a goo dfast car to begin with that you can move up with also?

 

 

Depends on how competative you want/need to be and/or your competitions level. As far as which car..... thats an open book. There are alot of good TT cars to pick from. You might have a look at some of the results and see whats winning in your area. The main thing is to build a car for a class, dont do it the other way around. Know the rules!! Thats key.

 

3. What do you bring to the track, i am assuming most trailer there cars, is an enclosed trailer neccessary, do you bring extra tires or just tools..

 

That too depends on you. Some cars are driven to the track. The problem with this is if you have a major failure, your stuck there unless you have AAA+ or enough cash to pay for a long tow. Ive driven to events for alot of years without issue. It took once for me to make it a personal rule to tow to any event more than 100 miles away.

 

You can bring tires, or not. It just depends on what you plan to do/use for tires at the track. Id recomend that if you plan to TT a street driven car, buy another set of rims and put the tire of choice on them for the track and save the street tires for the street.

 

Tools are good, especially if you break something. Its nice to make a quick fix that keeps you on track. I can say that having tools with the incidents at this weekends event at CA Speedway kept me on the track.

 

4. How is the competition? In order to time trial do you have to complete any schooling? And how does time trialing work, are you basically on qualifying laps with a big group, solo??

 

Sorry for all the questions but appreciate your help and thanks to those who reply.

 

Competition will vary on regions. Again, check your local results to see who is doing what.

If you already had a comp license, chances are pretty good that all you need to do is do a check ride, get your local TT director to sign off on your TT license, pay the $10 and your set.

 

Think of this as a group of drivers going out together trying to get one fast lap. Just like a qualifying session but not like a qualifying race.

[Varkwso]

ok so i have been beating my head in for the past 8 months deciding on what next racing project i should take on and i am looking to get into something soon so hear goes some questions for you time trialing folks to help me narrow my search:

 

1. has anyone here switched from wheel to wheel racing to time trialing? What are some of the pro's and con's of TT compared to wheel to wheel?

 

2. I have been doing alot of reading here and how do you pick the car you want torun. I love mustangs, corvettes and porsches. Can these be competitive without breaking the bank, are most cars you start out with upgradeable if you want to move up in class? Any suggestions on a goo dfast car to begin with that you can move up with also?

 

3. What do you bring to the track, i am assuming most trailer there cars, is an enclosed trailer neccessary, do you bring extra tires or just tools.

 

4. How is the competition? In order to time trial do you have to complete any schooling? And how does time trialing work, are you basically on qualifying laps with a big group, solo??

 

Sorry for all the questions but appreciate your help and thanks to those who reply.

 

1. TT is a little bit cheaper than W2W - most of the time - for the same speed car.

 

2. As far as cars - it has been stated - build to the class and do not mod until you have looked at the point system and the mods that make a particular car go faster.

The C5Z pretty much stone stock rules TTA - the classes above TTA get expensive, quick. There are lots of TTC and TTB Mustangs. Porsches do well all over.

 

3. A trailer is nice - but enclosed is not required - I prefer it since I also sleep in it often. Enclosed sucks some gas (diesel) towing down the road compared to an open one.

 

4. Here in the SE - can be tough with lots of cars in class. You need a TT license to compete in TT

[kbrew8991]

I'm in the no-trailer camp myself, though TT is a pretty aggressive situation to put a car that you need to drive home in

[ajcjr]

thanks to all who have posted. Seems like a good way to get on the track, run hard and compete against others.

 

Is there any where you can download the rules anywhere.

 

thanks

 

AC

[kbrew8991]

http://www.nasa-tt.com has a TON of info about the series on it (rules, track records, results, schedules, etc)

[getfast]

In order to time trial do you have to complete any schooling?

 

Yes. Specifically you need to graduate through the HPDE school levels and have at least 4-5 weekends in group three "Advanced" before qualifying for a TT license check ride. Levels are explained here:

 

http://www.nasanortheast.org/faq-hprungroup.htm

[Shawn M.]

In order to time trial do you have to complete any schooling?

 

Yes. Specifically you need to graduate through the HPDE school levels and have at least 4-5 weekends in group three "Advanced" before qualifying for a TT license check ride. Levels are explained here:

 

http://www.nasanortheast.org/faq-hprungroup.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

 

 

Unless you now have or have had a Competition license. Then you just need a check ride.