Time Trials Frequently Asked Questions
This year sees some significant changes in the former Solo I and Solo II programs. Let’s see how it has changed: First, the former Solo 2 is now called “Solo”. That indicates that the event is a Level 1 event, run on a parking lot, airport tarmac or a smaller, restricted road racing track. The courses are usually laid out by rubber cones and speeds are normally highway speeds or less. The only safety equipment required is a helmet and safety belt.
The old Solo 1 has been broken down into 3 “Levels” and has come under the Club Racing rules and management office at SCCA. Here’s a breakdown:
Level 2: Club Trial or HPDE or PDX. This is a “street car” event but you may also find that there will be some “prepared” cars running as well. Generally, these events are run on a road racing track. Prior to running on the track, each participant will be in a classroom being instructed about the finer points of getting around the track safely and quickly though the speeds are generally around highway speeds. An instructor will ride along to offer advice about apexing the turn, braking points, shift points, etc. Once the instructor is confident that the driver may drive solo, he will sign off on the driver’s Time Trials driver logbook (a white logbook) and the driver will be allowed to drive his/her sessions solo. Safety equipment is also nominal: good brakes, topped off master cylinder, helmet, safety belts, long-sleeved shirt.
The next step and the one most closely related to Club Racing is the Level 3 Track Trials. Here the emphasis is on safety, speed and competition within classes. The car is prepared as a full-fledged race car though there are street prepared classes for street-legal cars, it still has proper safety equipment according to the Club Racing General Competition Rules (GCR). For most cars, that means either a 4-point roll bar or full minimum 4-point roll cage depending on class of car. The safe approach is to have a 6-point cage for most cars where that is feasible. Locate your car in the GCR’s and follow the requirements. The next item is an on-board fire suppresion system which for most is a good up to date fire extinguisher. The car must have tow hooks mounted front and rear. Inside the car, the factory furnished safety belts no longer suffice. A 5 or 6-point SFI-rated race harness manufactured within 5 years is required. The driver is required to wear a helmet Snell rated SA-2000 or newer. A hood sock is required if the driver has long hair or facial hair (and as Martin Bartlett has stated, the hood sock or balaclava keeps the inside of the helmet cleaner). Next, is the driver’s uniform, again SFI-rated either single layer Nomex or Multi-layered Proban (single layer Proban is ok when combined with Nomex underwear with long sleeves, tops and bottoms). Go with the best uniform possible and the wear of Nomex underwear is highly suggested. Nomex socks are required. Nomex and leather boot/shoes are next followed by Nomex driving gloves with long cuffs.
After a Level 3 Novice driver has safely and successfully completed 3 or 4 Track Trial events sanction within the Southeast Division of SCCA, he/she can apply to the Southeast Division Time Trial Steward, Steve Tompkins for a license upgrade to full Time Trial status. Once the driver obtains the full Time Trial license, he/she may compete in hillclimbs which are Level 4 Time Trial events and by nature the most dangerous events in which TT drivers compete. A hillclimb is a high speed race up a climbing, twisting mountain road against the clock and other drivers within one’s car class.
Remember to utilize the SCCA’s website to remain updated about rules and changes/updates for your level of activity.
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