SCCA Time Trials

As the two-year rules freeze ends for the SCCA National Time Trials program, this month’s Fastrack is robust and the TTB is looking for feedback on some substantial rules proposals. 

Right up front – the Prepped Category is on the chopping block.

When the categories were formed in 2019, Prepped was intended to be a "Max Lite" of sorts with similar, but more simple versions of modifications which Max Category allowed. The TTB created Prepped Category with the hypothesis that there were enough vehicles to justify its addition to the program. After two years of events, the data has proven that hypothesis incorrect as the Category has garnered less than 10 percent of the total entries.

With the lack of existing vehicles, Prepped was starting to look like a “builders category” where members built to a specific set of rules instead of attracting cars already in existence. In response, the TTB has decided to remove the Prepped Category before it becomes a niche-category without much value to the general enthusiast environment. 

To adjust for the loss of a category between Tuner and Max, the TTB is proposing some changes to Tuner and Max to bridge the gaps and better serve the community. 

Because Max will get some cars that would have otherwise run in Prepped, the biggest proposed adjustment in Max is to split the category into five classes (Max 1-5). These classes will take the former Prepped Category displacement groupings and apply them to Max. This proposal makes Max 1 a “giant bore” class with 6.5-liter cars and above, encompassing the largest naturally aspirated vehicles, single-unit forced induction vehicles with displacements more than 4.34 Liters and multi-unit forced induction vehicles with displacement more than 3.25L. On the other end, Max 5 becomes a “tiny bore” class with a displacement limit of 1.995L for naturally aspirated engines and no more than roughly 1.33 for any single-unit forced induction non-rotary/2-cycle engine. 

In addition to the class division, there are some other questions about Max Aero for which the TTB is requesting feedback. 

In Tuner Category, there are a few proposals to help encompass the most common modifications which typically bump a vehicle into higher categories.

1) The first is the allowance of replica hoods, trunks, engine covers and hard tops. These would have to mount to and use the factory mounts – maximizing the cosmetic nature while minimizing the weight savings/performance gain.

2) The second is some substantial aero proposals – including a graduated rear wing allowance across the five Tuner classes, a splitter allowance and the ability to install cosmetic diffusers and canards.

3) Third is a proposal to write a set of specs to class-specific engine swapped vehicles in Tuner Category. These engine swap allowances would be specific engines, parts, and vehicles with the engines needing to be stock, and the vehicles to otherwise be within Tuner Category limits. Specific combinations would need to be individually classed in Tuner by the TTB – there would not be a general formula to include engine swaps.

Sport and Unlimited Categories are unchanged other than a couple of general modification allowances which might affect Sport Category. The first is an allowance for simple longevity items, for example a turbo blanket, but not a wheel bearing. The reason behind this proposal is to allow items which increase how long a car can perform at peak without increasing overall performance of the vehicle. 

The second general allowance is the tire requirements which could effect which model tires (but not treadwear limits) which can be used in relation to build dates and minimum production requirements. 

Before any of this becomes official, the TTB will evaluate the input and adjust as necessary. 

You can view the full October 2020 Time Trials Fastrack with details on where to provide feedback here:

The deadline for feedback is 12/1/2020.