Ok guys, I'm obviously a noob here, but big drag racer, looking to get into something different. My main question is what makes Time Attack different that most road racing? From what i've seen time attack is an individual car against the clock, not a field of cars competing with each other. If so, what is the difference between cars in the Time attack vs. one another. If you could just give me some general information on this new trend, that'd be great! Thanks for your help!!

 

Sound you know what the difference is.

Racing is racing. Side by side battling for the win. First one across the finish line wins.

Time Attack you is vs. the clock. No one in your way except you. Fast lap wins.

 

essentially youre racing against yourself. better lines, reaction times, car tuning makes for faster times. the more seat time the better.

 

I guess the basic thing is, I feel more comfortable going solo, then racing with cars. I can't seem to find any "time attack" events around me though. Typically, in time attack, would a higher horsepower car be more effective?

 

Not always... driver experience is what wins usually. A noob can be driving a fast car with loads of HP, but if he parks it in every corner he isn't going to have fast lap times. While a experienced driver can be in a low HP car, but have the car on the edge and run very quick laps with a under powered car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integranator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess the basic thing is, I feel more comfortable going solo, then racing with cars. I can't seem to find any "time attack" events around me though. Typically, in time attack, would a higher horsepower car be more effective?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Here ya go: http://www.redlinetimeattack.com

The best time attacks around

 

Where are you located. SCCA and NASA both have programs. You can run with either groups.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turboteener &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where are you located. SCCA and NASA both have programs. You can run with either groups.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The RedlineTimeAttack has events all over the country. It's "time attack" not time trails.
The only open to the public "Time Attack" racing that has classes that everyone can race in that I know of is thru Redline. Here is the schedule for the remainder of the season : http://redlinetimeattack.com/index-5.html

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SuperKool &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It's "time attack" not time trails.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you explain the difference? I think the terminology is used very loosely as to what is a Time Attack, Time Trial, HPDE, Open track, etc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonsense &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can you explain the difference? I think the terminology is used very loosely as to what is a Time Attack, Time Trial, HPDE, Open track, etc. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sure, this is what the difference is between time trail racing and time attack racing.

First off, a time trail like the NASA TT is a from of time trail racing that has been around for a long time now. A race against the clock with a group of like cars competing on the same track.
"Time Trail" racing is done on any track with a group of cars. The groupings of cars are mostly cars of similar speed, but sometimes other classes of cars are let on track at the same time. The group then runs for a pre determined set amount of time, for a pre determined amount of run sessions. For example, you may enter into a time trail race that has 3 run sessions for 20 min each session. All cars in the time trail are let on track for the 20 min run sessions. The car with the fastest time wins at the end of the day.

Time Attack racing is a little more high pressure and is set up like this:

A Time Attack run session consists of 5 laps. An out lap, three hot laps, and a cool down.
Each car in a class is let out onto the track with no other cars or traffic to impede the time attack lap. The three hot laps in the time attack session is the only timed lap that counts toward you final score. The fastest car in the fastest time attack session wins. Of course there are several different class and divisions, but that is the basics of Time Attack racing.

Also for time attack, there is qualifying during the day so cars can be gridded accordingly for the time attack sessions. The time attack race is another form of time trail racing created in Japan called a "Super Lap Battle" that evolved into "Time Attack" The super lap is only one timed lap. The time attack is like the super lap battle, only with more then one lap. Time Attack is only done on a road curse.

 

HPDE is an acronym for "High Performance Driving Education," or "High Performance Driving Event"
An open track day is usually some form of HPDE.

 

So some of the "Time Attack" events allow untrained people on the track without proper safety equipment as opposed to SCCA and NASA who require licensing and proper safety equipment?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turboteener &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So some of the "Time Attack" events allow untrained people on the track without proper safety equipment as opposed to SCCA and NASA who require licensing and proper safety equipment?</TD></TR></TABLE>

What Time Attacks let untrained drivers or unsafe cars on track? I've never heard of that.
I've also never heard of anyone needing a license to participate in time trail racing.

 

I think NASA has a time trial license that you need to get before competing in TT. At the very least you need to get signed off by an instructor, because NASA TT run groups are full open passing.

quote from I don't know who:
"Chuck Norris went to a time attack once, time lost."

 

Nasa time trails has open passing with caution, as does HPDE 4.
In order to participate in NASA TT, and HPDE 4 you might have to contain a few items necessary (safety items) to go into that group.
Hpde 1-3 are more or less open to all cars with little to no modifications.

Time Attacks are generally open to experienced drivers with so many events under their belt.

I know here in Arizona, in order to run in Time attacks with NASA you must be in HPDE 4, or HPDE 3 and have the instructors consent to run.

Go to:
http://www.nasaproracing.com for more information regarding rules, etc.
Also look for your region so you may contact the director of that region for any other questions you may have.

 

You have just described SCCA events. Warm up and cool down, laps with three timed runs. NO passing, three, maybe four cars on track at a time depending on facility. There may be limited passing during morning practice sessions, but that is up to the Safety Stewards.

Don't know about NASA time trials, but SCCA requires a Time Trial license to compete in open track events that are officially timed. Level three and four events require a TIme Trial school or a certain number of flat track events with a sign off by the time trial director. Previous track experience and other series experience can help expedite licensing.

Time Attack is the same thing as SCCA Time Trials. Just a new name with a different organization. Nothing wrong with that. If you are interested in this type of event I would seek licensing in numerous organizations, just so you have better options. PLus you should make sure your car is to the letter of the safety equipment rules.

 

were does SCCA do this? I have never heard of it before. the SFR doesn't do it

 

http://www.motorsportreg.com

register for HPDE event near you and find out, you will definitely have fun.

 

SEDIV Cool Shirt Time Trial series. All falt track events are run this way. Hill climbs are run a little differently.

http://www.rivergate5speed.com....html

 

Getting people onto the track is good for everybody. Some regions of sanctioning bodies and even other ENTIRE sanctioning bodies just don't get that. They would rather consider every other group their enemy, and fight over the same pie... Rather than work together to increase the overall size of the Pie... ;-)

My suggestion to you Integranator,

Do some searching on the net for "Time Attack"... Find an event close to you and simply get involved. Get your feet wet. There are plenty of groups out there organizing grass roots level Time Trials and Time Attacks. If you are looking for exposure in front of spectators, media and potential sponsors, then make your way to one of our events. We have by far the most (and most consistent) media coverage and highest spectator attendance than any other time attack.

 

Nikolas~ you should open up a branch office out in the East... 2 events for $250 is amzing price~

I wish I lived in the West...

 

Actually..... We are working on an expanded Redline Track Events East Coast schedule for 2008, and plan to continue to expand in the Eastern part of the country each year.