TIME TRIALS

A time trial puts you in your Porsche on a race track to drive a series of timed laps with the objective of achieving your lowest lap time. Drivers are grouped according to experience, and the number of cars on the track is limited. Because the cars are also started at intervals, you will probably not see the car ahead or behind you during your track session.

A time trial therefore combines aspects from both autocross and driver education.  Like an autocross, a time trial is timed and you are driving the course for the fastest possible lap time.   Like a DE, a time trial incorporates continuous lapping on an actual race track, and less experienced drivers will find time trials to be both a challenge and a steep learning curve.

Time trials are competitive, not training exercises.

Format

Lone Star Region Time Trials are held at Grandsport Speedway in Hitchcock, Texas, south of Houston.

The actual run format will follow these guidelines:

• Drivers will be grouped into three’s and released at 20 second intervals (3 drivers maximum on track at one time). 
• Each driver will be afforded one warm up lap, followed by 5-6 timed hot laps, followed by one cool down lap.
• Each driver will be assigned one morning group and one afternoon group.
• Drivers will be scored based on his/her best single lap time.
• Passing is not allowed.  If you catch the driver in front of you, you will be afforded makeup, or impede reruns at the end of the day.  At the point when you catch the driver in front of you, simply fall into a loose trail and complete your laps at the slower pace.  Theoretically, this should only happen during the a.m. session.

About two weeks prior to the time trial, you will receive an email requesting your track experience and best lap times at those tracks (if applicable).  Additionally, you will provide information about your vehicle, such as preparation level and tires.  Based on this information, we will assign drivers into groups of three for the morning session.  At the end of that session, we will create a lineal standing and reassign afternoon groups of three.

The schedule for the day will be:

0800               Gates open / Registration open
0845               Driver Safety Meeting
0915               Parade Laps
0930               First car out a.m. session, track hot
1230               End a.m. session, track cold, assign new run groups
1300               First car out p.m. session, track hot
1600               End p.m. session
1600               Impede laps
1700               Track closed, track cold
1800               Facility closed, gates locked

All participants will be required to work a one-hour shift.  These assignments include timing/scoring, corner working/flags, gate/waiver, grid, or manning the safety vehicle.

| top |

Click here for the results of the various time trials:

• October 2010

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Registration is online only to guarantee participation.

The registration fee is currently $80 per driver.

| top |

Requirements

PCA time trials are conducted under DE minimum safety rules and are covered by PCA liability insurance.  Consequently, a close examination of the PCA DE minimum requirements and the information below is mandatory reading for all participants.

• You should read the DE Handbook, sections 1, 2.4 and 2.5, 3, and Appendix 1.

• Each driver will be required to complete a DE Technical Inspection form.  If you perform your own maintenance and/or are comfortable with each item on the inspection form, you may complete this at home.  Note that one of the items is properly torquing your lug nuts.  If you do not own a torque wrench, this is an indication that you should take your car into one of the listed service centers (most of which do not charge for this service).  Either way, YOU are responsible for the mechanical integrity of your car.

• Convertibles and open cars are required to have a rollbar installed.  The factory installed “pop-up” roll bars on Porsche cabriolet models are satisfactory.  For cabriolet models, either the top must be up, or arm restraints must be utilized.  For open cars, a full face helmet with visor down must be used.

• After June 2011, Snell 2005 (SA or M) or newer helmets are mandatory.  A limited number of loaner helmets are available.

• If 5-6 point harnesses are utilized, PCA mandates an entire “Safety System” be used, i.e. rollbar, seats with harness pass-thru holes for shoulder, lap and substrap, etc.

• Clothing must be long sleeved shirts and long pants, with closed toed shoes.  Garments should be natural fibers or flame retardant.  It is OK to wear shorts when not on the track, but have light weight cotton pants (pajamas work well) to pull over when driving.  Persons driving race prepared cars should wear racing clothing meeting PCA Club Racing standards.

• A staffed ambulance will be on site.  A designated fire/tow vehicle will also be staffed and centrally located.  Additionally, corner stations will have flags, radios and fire extinguishers.

• Each person will be required to sign a standard PCA Waiver of Liability, but each person is responsible for their own vehicle insurance.

Failure to comply with the minimum standards and/or technical inspection requirements may result in disqualification and forfeiture of your payment.

| top |

More Info

If you need further information, please contact David Hedderick, our Autocross and Time Trials Chairman .

| top |

Contact us | View site map