Just got back from the SCCA Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo. I had a heads up on this before this was announced in that I had been putting in my two cents on some needed changes in the HPCCC (Driver's Education) program in the last year. I am happy to say everything I wanted changed happened.

The purpose of the program is to provide a smoother progression from Solo 2 (now to be called simply "Solo"), to HPCCCs (now to be called "Performance Driving Clinics") to speed controlled time trials ("Club Trials") to Solo 1 (now to be called "Time Trials" with two versions one which allows passing) to possibly Club racing.

The Time Trial Program (actually encompassing PDCs, Club Trials, Time Trials) will be under the Club Racing program and there is hope that this progression will also help lead folks into club racing. The Rules will be online and separate although "GCR like" but simplier. PDC people will get a log book (I guess a little like a NASA passport), and Time Trial driver's will be licensed. The rules should be up in about two weeks online I believe.

As to changing things the Alabama Region SCCA is putting on a combination Solo/PDC twice this year at TGPR. Actually the Solo part of the event should constitute a Club Trial in that it is a competitive timed event on a road course but with with speed controlled by a chicane on the back straight and something done on the front. You should see some possible Time Trial and Club Racing events also be combined in the future. The N.C. SCCA has done that at VIR previously. My description is very sparse but I think they are going in the right direction on this.

Barry H.

 

I heard a little blurb about this last week, but no details. That sounds like a step in the right direction for the SCCA. It sounds like they are basically getting into the trackday business, but in thier own structured sort of way.

I guess they would be running the events on weekends other than normal club racing events? If that is true, it may be tough to get additional dates on the "busy" tracks like VIR.

All in all, I think it sounds like a good plan.

 

neat!

 

I heard one person from another region (thinking out loud I believe) that they might have a PDC for corner workers during "quiet time" (muffled cars) on club racing weekends. Ooohhh. Can you say race volunteer? I have long thought SCCA was missing out on a great membership opportunity by not fully embracing DE events. You had to go somewhere else to do it if you were a SCCA member. My region already has put them on. We are also pretty active in the Solo 1/Time Trial part as well as being a club racing region. Now I believe my region can be a one stop shop for motorsports enthusiasts (at least if you car fits the various rules).

Barry H.

 

We had the Time Trials pilot program here in Colorado this season. It was a blast... it really blew Solo I Trials out of the water... we got a lot more track time, no T&S delays, full flagging, passing, a lunch break, and we still had time to spare. A lot of autocrossers got the idea that it wasn't safe and were afraid to try it, but it really is planned very well and the flagging is a million times better than Solo I/II's red-flag-or-no-flag. The licensing requirement keeps the inexperienced people out, but without making it too difficult to get into.

The classing is the same as autocross, but with a full safety gear requirement for Prepared and Modified classes (including Street Mod, but not Street Prepared). Most of us SM people just get the steward's approval to run in our region's open street prepared class. All cars are required to have a $5 AMB transponder mount, and this coming season we will be running with windows down, so arm restraints or window nets are required.

Here's our region's Time Trials site if you want some more info (and last year's rules): http://www.rmsolo.org/trials/

 

will hilclimbs be considered time trials and liscensed the same way?

 

is this national, or only specific to your region?

 

It's about time..Now maybe I an get some real value for my membership dollars instead of just $5 off every Solo event!!

Jeff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is this national, or only specific to your region?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No this is a revamp on the national level. I saw a copy of the whole new changes but don't have a copy in my grubby hands yet. I am getting one though. The changes will be placed online.

Barry H.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apexinghonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

As to changing things the Alabama Region SCCA is putting on a combination Solo/PDC twice this year at TGPR. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've got both of these saturdays off of work already.

I'd like ot see these rules, I've been intrested in getting into solo I, I just need to get a bolt in roll bar to do it. Do you know if all that is going to still be required? Chris was running (I think) HPCCCCCCC'S without a roll bar last year. But yeah, let us know when you notice that the rules are out if you can.

 

For the Solo/PDC events at TGPR you will not need a roll bar (as long as you are not a convertible and your sig indicates you are not).

For the top level of time trials which the Alabama region will also be putting on this year at TGPR (one in conjunction with the TVR SCCA which will include a school) you will need a Time Trial compliant roll bar, fire retardant suit, gloves, etc, and a fire extinguisher. You will also need to attend driver's school to get your TT license. We just bought a expensive wireless Tag Huer timing system that transmits up to a mile that we can't wait to try out at TGPR. No more running the super long wire out to the back straight for timing lights. We pretty much have state of the art equipment now, even wireless bar code transmitters. You register, get a UPC sticker and you get scanned at pit out. Isn't that tidy. Looking forward to the 05 season which by the way will include the Crow Mountain time trial/hillclimb in October in Scottsboro, Al. which is going to be awesome.

Barry H.