I'm looking to get into some more track oriented driving next year. I've done one track day at BIR a few years ago but i've been around the scene for a while so i should be able to pick it back up pretty quick. I want to hit BIR, Road America, Blackhawk Farms and possibly Gratton.

I understand stock power and more seat time is the best way to get good, please do not lecture me.

I bought the car setup like it is now but will be building a 2.3L motor this winter. I plan on running a low boost tune (375-400 whp) for the start of the season and maybe turning up the boost as i get comfortable.

My question is, if i want to do a couple time attack events towards the end of the year what organizations could i run with and what class would i be in? I am all for doing my homework but i feel there is so much out there i need some direction, lol. Are most based off of the SCCA rulebook?

 

we follow the NASA time trial series here in texas, but there is a great lakes region that is pretty active as well. in your case, a 400whp car, assuming your in the stock weight range would put you in the new TT2 class they have. i do like the new classing NASA has gone to as it allows people like you that have a long list of mods that some add big power, others entirely marginal, to not have to worry about stripping it all off to stay within the class. essentially the only thing you would have to do for TT2 is to weigh the car, and get it dynoed. then use their classing sheet to see where you fit with the tire size you select.

 

i don't know what your driving experience is but with NASA and most organization, you can't just jump into Time Trial or Time Attack without prior track experience. since you've only had one track day, then i would say take the first year to get some seat time and that will also give you the opportunity to see what other cars in your region that does TT/TA and where your car would be competitive in. maybe you're a fast learner and might be able to do some TT/TA towards the end of the season.

 

@honda-guy; could you explain the process of moving up to doing Time Attack/Time Trials from a HPDE 1 level?

I thought an instructor just have to sign you off, so you can run solo? If I am wrong, please correct me!

I thought there was only a long process in order to wheel to wheel race.

 

with NASA, you'll have to advance up to HPDE4 to be able to do TimeTrials with them. just getting soloed in lower run group doesn't mean you can TT with them. if an instructor feels that you have the car control and track awareness, they might let you run solo in that run group but that doesn't mean it's open passing. TT is open passing.

some local TT/TA might let you compete with only a few track days under your belt, but they might require you to have an instructor with you. I've been to events where people with no track experience were doing TT, it was scary being on track at the same time with them. there were some very close calls. I try to avoid competing at those types of events now.

 

I would say that more passing goes on in HPDE then in an TA I've ever run.

If you find an SCCA club trial you should be able to start competing fairly easily without any safety gear. You do need to be signed off to recieve a license. And, this requires 3 races at a level 3/4 track trials/hillclimbs. Which require roll bar(not cage), fire suit, etc.

 

that's very true, especially if you're a competitive person, you'll only be doing 3-4 hot laps then come in. but if you stay out for the entire 20-25 minutes session, you'll catch up to slower traffic, or faster traffic catching up to you.

 

At least in NASA there is so little passing because they stage the cars by best lap time. By the end of day two its essentially no passing at all unless the front ttu car laps the slow ttf car. In hpde it's a free for all as far as griding the cars goes so there is always more passing going on (there is also a much bigger variance in people's ability level so some are quick and some are very slow

 

at the 375-400whp level, your stock motor will be just as reliable as a built motor. I'd even go as far as saying more reliable.

I'd also recommend NASA. You may have to start out with 1-2 HPDE's, but could quickly move up into TT. Like Kevin said, you'll probably be in TT2. Its a Power:Weight class of around 400whp to 3000lbs.

Hope to see you out next summer.

 

Andy right? I met you back in 08 i think, did a lapping day at the Shawano cart track with my old silver evo. Had a lot of fun but destroyed my street tires, haha. Since i got back into the evo stuff i have seen your car around the net, what turbo are you running out of curiosity?

My car is a full weight SSL so i would guess it's right around 3250 like my old SSL was. The car made 511 whp on 34 lbs on the FP black this fall but i think i lifted the head and blew the head gasket at Rock Falls a few weeks ago, thus the re-build. Since it doesn't really cost any more to go with the 2.3L i fgured it would help it spool a bit faster. I haven't opened up the engine yet so we'll see what happens.

I have no brake or suspension work either so i have a long and expensive road ahead of me.

 

Ah, I see. Thanks for all the info/advice. I'll hop on HPDE days early next year and hope I advance quick. My car is setup for NASA ST2 w2w racing so the safety part isn't an issue.

Even if I have to do time trials/time attack with an instructor, it'll still be awesome!

 

in the north east you can run with EMRA. Ive had great days with them, good people. you are required to spend your first day with 3 class room sessions and with an instructor, but you can get signed off to solo after one day if your safe. only had an issue once in 3 events with an *** hat in a new camaro dive bombing me in corners without a point by.

i havent done nasa yet, my schedule just didnt line up this year...

 

EMRA doesn't have open passing for TT. all passing are with point by and on straights only. it's frustrating if you come up to a slow car and have to wait till the straights to pass. EMRA TT is basically HPDE1/2 but with a transponder. they are a good group of people though and probably the cheapest around because they are nonprofit.

 

ah yes. I remember.

Hopefully we'll run into each other (figuratively, not literally) at the track next year.

Currently my car is running a stock IX turbo and only making 398whp. I took the big turbo off and setup the car to run in TT2/ST2 with NASA for the 2013 Season.

 

I'll just go ahead and throw out my 2c. It's VERY not recommended to rush into timed competition. TT/TA isn't wheel to wheel racing, but it isn't HPDE either. In TT you are trying to push for a best time instead of focusing on learning the car, the track, and the basics to get you around it safely and quickly. HPDE is a good opportunity to do all of that without having to be focused on a best lap or worrying about the guy barreling up behind you getting his lap blown or making a risky pass.

I've been doing HPDE's for 2 years now and have yet to run a single TT session. I got the best instruction that I could, including hiring a Grand Am driver to coach me for a season so I could learn things the right way. It's bad enough that the three toughest things to learn with are; High powered cars, AWD, and turbocharged cars... we have all three. It's easy to pick up bad and even very dangerous habits. You add competition and you can get yourself or someone else killed. I would be very uncomfortable running in a TT group with someone who has only one or two track days ever.

Seriously consider spending the time going through the HPDE ladder and getting comfortable with the car, and a couple of different tracks before you leap into timed events.