COMPETITION FORMAT AND RULES
The Rocky Mountain Division Time Trials is a series of events where competitors go for the fastest lap time (Time Attack) and the fastest time from a standing start at a segment of a track (TrackSprint). Multiple sessions or courses can be run during an event, with combined times determining how you stack up at the end of the event.
These are the rules for how each of those formats are run, what penalties there might be and how drivers should conduct themselves on track.
Of course, all of the Rules of the Track apply, and these Competition Rules build on those basics to create the procedures for National Tour events.
Time Trials Competition Formats
Vehicles will be released from pit lane for a warm up lap led by the first car leaving the grid. The start of each session will be signaled by a Green Flag at the start/finish line after the single pace lap, but competitors may separate and accelerate before they reach the start/finish and the Green Flag. Warm up lap pace should be at such a speed as to allow all cars to enter the track before the first car comes around in order to create track space and give the best chance for clean laps for each driver.
Passing on the out lap is by point-by only, even if the group rules allow passing without a point during the session.
Drivers are expected to use hard-paved surfaces only and keep a portion of one tire within the marked track limits at all times. Drivers deemed to have exceeded track limits will have their fastest lap of that session disqualified. A second offense may result in disqualification from that session. Further offenses may result in exclusion from the event. Track limits are defined as paved track surface and adjacent curbing. Exceptions may be made if the off-course resulted from controlled avoidance of an unsafe situation.
Any vehicle leaving the paved course area with all four wheels OR deemed to have a "significant loss of control" on course in a Time Attack session shall self-report to the pit area for a discussion with the Driver Coach for that session. If appropriate (and timely), the driver may proceed back on track after receiving appropriate signals from the Pit Marshal. Drivers who do not self-report will be black flagged for a discussion with the Driver Coach. Drivers may be black flagged for discussion with the Driver Coach in the case of repeated two (2) or three (3) wheels-off situations.
Any driver deemed to have caused a Black Flag All or Red Flag condition for a driving error or mechanical issue will receive one warning. A second offense will result in exclusion from resuming that session. Further offenses may result in exclusion from the event.
Drivers are reminded that SCCA Time Trials Events are not wheel-to-wheel competition, but a contest of lap times. Drivers are expected to share the track and work together so that all drivers may perform to the best of their ability. Drivers deemed to have interfered with a competitor intentionally or thoughtlessly will be disqualified from that session. Further offenses shall result in exclusion from the event.
Sessions shall normally be ended by a Checkered Flag shown at the Start/Finish after the session time or number of laps has elapsed. After receiving the Checkered Flag ending the session, drivers will be given cool down time to exit the track.
TrackSprint layouts shall be defined no later than the Driver's Meeting of the event. TrackSprint events may run portions of tracks backwards, if the Safety Steward and track management approve.
Vehicles shall be staged in a grid area near the course.
Vehicles will be released from a grid to the start line. A driver's run is considered to have started when they are released by the Starter. A driver's time starts when they trip the timing light, and the start line shall be clearly indicated.
Drivers are expected to keep all four tires fully inside track limits at all times. Drivers deemed to have exceeded track limits will have that run/lap disqualified. A second offense will result in disqualification from that session. Further offenses may result in exclusion from the event. Track limits are defined as paved track surface and adjacent curbing. Exceptions may be made if the off-course resulted from controlled avoidance of an unsafe situation.
Drivers deemed to have caused a Red Flag condition or cause another driver to slow because of mechanical difficulty or loss of control will have their single fastest run from that session disqualified but may complete all runs in that session. A second offense may result in exclusion from the session or event.
The Finish is defined as the timing line where the recorded competition time stops and will be clearly indicated. Drivers are expected to slow their vehicle to pit-lane speed and proceed back to the grid area. Drivers who do not slow to pit-lane speed may lose their fastest run.
A re-run may be granted to a driver who has had to slow for a Yellow Flag, debris on course or for catching the car in front of them. If a driver has already had an issue on that run, that driver may not be granted a re-run.
Cones are NOT required for TrackSprint but may be used at the discretion of officials for safety reasons or to define a course in a non-traditional location or area of the course.
Time Trials Event Procedures
Unscored lapping sessions or passes of the course may be timed and may be used for practice or group seeding. Passing rules should be the same or more restrictive as the group's scored sessions. Unscored sessions may be done at speed, or controlled by a pace car and used as familiarization. Any unscored sessions run at speed shall have the same minimum safety standards as scored sessions.
Despite not being scored, drivers are reminded to share the track, not to hinder other drivers, give point-bys when needed, and may be asked to report to the Driver Coach for any off-course or loss of control.
Whenever possible, competitors at SCCA Time Trials Events should be positioned on grid in order of their best times from previous scored and unscored sessions. Competitors late to grid may lose their earned grid spot.
Drivers are not required to be on grid to participate in a session, they may join late.
Drivers entering the paddock before a session ends may keep any times run during that session but may forfeit those times if they return to the track during that session-if the event is one which uses impound procedures.
If Event Officials declare a "rain event," then competitors may change to an alternate set of tires, even if the rules require a single set for an entire event.
Scoring of Time Trials Tour and Time Trials final results will be determined by the cumulative time of fastest laps or runs of a given event.
Last Updated - 02/23/2020