Weekend Wrap-Up: ’23 Ozarks TTNT
Weekend Wrap-Up: ’23 Ozarks TTNT
The Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials National Tour Powered by Hagerty (TTNT) made its inaugural visit to Ozarks International Raceway (OIR) July 14-16, 2023, for an event in Gravois Mills, MO, located a little more than two hours southeast of Kansas City.
The event saw a mix of familiar faces from previous TTNT stops, some Regional Time Trials folks trying TTNT for the first time, and a few drivers with no previous Time Trials experience. But all of them spoke highly afterwards of OIR’s astounding 19-turn, 3.97-mile circuit that includes 1,200 feet of elevation change.
The weather was typical for a Midwest summer weekend: A little warm and muggy with temperatures in the low 90s, and there was a rain shower that passed over the venue late Sunday.
OIR is truly one-of-a-kind in North America – anyone considering themselves a driving enthusiast should flock to this challenging circuit.
New Pages for TTNT Record Book
Because TTNT has never before held an event at OIR, pages in the record book were waiting to be filled. When all was said and done after two days, it was Max 2 driver Dave Marcus and his 2020 Toyota Supra who owned the overall fastest lap record with a 2:37.143 turned Saturday.
A total of 42 drivers attended the OIR event, and the largest field was Max 4 (M4) with seven entrants. Competition in that class turned out to be one of the tightest as Jeremy Wilson, in a 2021 Mazda Miata, eked out victory by only 1.295sec over a 1997 BMW Z3 driven by Colin Swanger. But it was Swanger who walked away with the M4 track record after producing a lap of 2:47.382 on Saturday. Todd Hesskamp, in a 1997 BMW 328i, finished third in the M4 class.
The closest finish of the weekend went to the Unlimited 1 (U1) class. John Papendick and his 2002 Porsche Boxster won by only 1.029sec over John Houston in a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. Houston was fastest Saturday, posting a lap of 2:57.108, but Papendick hustled his car to a lap of 2:56.942 on Sunday to earn victory and set the U1 track record.
Tuner 4 (T4) also had a good-sized field with five entrants. Brian Salo, in a 1997 BMW M3, turned in a convincing performance and won by 12.002sec over John Jacobs in a 2013 Subaru BRZ. Salo also established the T4 track record with a 2:53.095 lap posted Sunday. Mike Erpelding, driving a 1997 BMW M3, finished third.
Below are the overall top five finishers from OIR with name, class, car, and overall time produced from two scored segments during competition.
1) Dave Marcus, Max 2, 2020 Toyota Supra, 5:15.155
2) David Kley, Max 1, 2022 Ford Mustang, 5:16.666
3) Brian Strack, Tuner 2, 2020 BMW M2, 5:30.328
4) Jeremy Wilson, Max 4, 2021 Mazda Miata, 5:35.002
5) Colin Swanger, Max 4, 1997 BMW Z3, 5:36.297
Outstanding Awards
Every TTNT event closes with KONI Podium Celebrations that acknowledge top performers. It’s also a chance to hand out some special recognition. For instance, Sport 2 driver Nick Phillips received the Most Improved Driver honor; and the Top Novice award went to Unlimited 2 (U2) wheelman Seth Houston who drove a 2012 BMW 135i to first in class.
It's no surprise that Dave Marcus was crowned fastest rear-wheel-drive competitor. Sport 3 competitor George Rodriguez, in a 2019 Subaru Impreza, earned fastest all-wheel-drive honors; and KONI’s own Lee Grimes claimed fastest among front-wheel-drive cars in a 2008 Mazda3 that was part of the Sport 4 class.
The Spirit of Time Trials honor went to Sport 5’s Max Bear. He was super pumped to be part of the Ozarks outing, and had a blast. Throughout the weekend, he was often one of the last to leave impound because he was busy chatting with fellow drivers.
And finally, James Cahill and Adam Pessetto were named Time Trials Champion award winners. This special recognition goes to those who promote and make an event happen. Cahill and Pessetto were instrumental in bringing the Ozarks TTNT event to life. And during the weekend, Pessetto drove his 2009 Honda Fit to a runner-up finish in U2 while Cahill served as Safety Steward.
Next on TTNT’s Calendar: GingerMan
A visit to the lakeside resort town of South Haven, MI, is up next for TTNT drivers as the series visits GingerMan Raceway on July 21-23, 2023. It’s a 2.14-mile, 11-turn course that simulates a country road while maximizing driver and vehicle safety. There are short sprints and high-speed straights, tight apexes and sweeping corners, light and heavy braking, and lively elevation change.
Along with Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials National Tour at GingerMan Raceway Powered by Hagerty activities, there will be a Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack conducted at the venue Saturday, July 22, and is open to track newbies and advanced drivers alike.
Click the button below to find more information about both the TTNT and TNiA events going on at GingerMan. Then reserve your seat for the party before this opportunity passes you by.
Photo by Andy Shultz
