ALSCCA/TVR Time Trial at TGPR April 17-18

[JohnW8]

Attention Time Trial and PDX Drivers! It’s been a long cold winter and now it’s time to get thing heated up! The COOLSHIRT 2010 TVR/ALSCCA Time Trials Championship Event and School and PDX is ready to start the year off with some fast times at the track.

The COOLSHIRT 2010 TVR/ALSCCA Time Trials Championship Event and School and PDX will be held April 17-18, 2010 at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway. Tech and Early Registration check-in will be held Friday, April 16 at the Track starting at 5:00pm.

PDX Drivers! Just so you can see what racing in a Time Trial event feels like, we are having a PDX for you running concurrently during the time trial event. You will be in a run group with other PDX drivers but mixed into the group run order, just like the time trialers. There will be instructors for you to help get you up to speed and show you the proper line around the course. Get a feel for your limits as well as those of your car.

Safety requirements can be found in the 2010 Time Trials rulebook under Level 3 Track trials and Level 1 for PDX entrants. Go to http://www.sccattse.org/ttrules.html for the latest TT Rule book.

Entry forms are available below or at http://www.sccattse.org/ttrules.html so hurry to secure your spot. To maximize track time there is limited entry on the PDX so don’t wait for the last minute. Fill it out and send it to Craig Farr before April 1. 2010. SCCA Membership is required. Everyone must sign the waiver at the gate.

Craig Farr, REGISTRAR
152 Nale Drive
Madison, AL 35758

Event news and updates will be posted on http://www.alscca.org/community/forumdisplay.php?f=4 and http://teamtac.org/e107/e107_plugins...ewforum.php?24

Come join us and compete against and learn from some of the best drivers in the South East Division.

Workers are needed! Email me jbw92563@gmail.com with your experience and contact information.
Without you events like these can't take place. Thank you for your support!

Thanks everybody!
JohnW8
2010 ALSCCA Time Trial Event Chair

[rodhx]

Safety requirements can be found in the 2010 Time Trials rulebook under Level 3 Track trials and Level 2 for PDX entrants. Go to http://www.sccattse.org/ttrules.html for the latest TT Rule book.

Question: do you really mean level 2 for PDX? The linked rules list PDX as level 1.

For convertibles, level 1 says you must have a roll bar or a hard top. Level 2 says you need a roll bar or hard top, but if you have a legal roll bar you must run top down, which to me rules out using the hard top. If this PDX is indeed held to level 2 requirements, I either get to remove my bar or not participate, as I cannot possibly meet the "broomstick" test...just look at my avatar for proof!

Can someone clarify this?

[JohnW8]

Question: do you really mean level 2 for PDX? The linked rules list PDX as level 1.

For convertibles, level 1 says you must have a roll bar or a hard top. Level 2 says you need a roll bar or hard top, but if you have a legal roll bar you must run top down, which to me rules out using the hard top. If this PDX is indeed held to level 2 requirements, I either get to remove my bar or not participate, as I cannot possibly meet the "broomstick" test...just look at my avatar for proof!

Can someone clarify this?

Thanks for catching my mistake Rod. The rollbar/hardtop issue has been around as long as the Miata and PDX. TT rules say you must have a rollbar, If you have a "legal" rollbar but
no hardtop you must run with the soft top down and secured so it doesn't flop around in case of an incident. The legal height on the rollbar is 2"above your helmeted head, if it is not then you MUST use a hardtop in addition to your rollbar. I ran my CSP car this way for three seasons. Other Miata drivers in CSP have the bar tall enough they can use the hardtop or not. Some use the hardtop for aero advantages at some tracks and remove it for weight advantages at hillclimbs. My suggestion is this, keep the bar in your car and put on the hardtop for the TT event.If your planning to do the PDX keep the bar and top on.
IF you need an instructor for the PDX, your car must have equal safety equipment on both seats. One can't expect an instructor to feel safe in a car with a shoulder belt while the driver is buckled in with 7 point harness, racing seat, etc.
I hope I answered your question.

[rodhx]

Yep...that helps, thanks John. I'm hoping to run the PDX.

I'm all too familiar with the convertible/rollbar/hardtop issues, enough so that I recommend against convertibles when folks ask about getting a car for track days. As much as I love my miata, I never would have bought it if I knew track days were in my future.

[Welacey]

Rod, you can take the foam out of the seat or get a racing seat to get below your rollbar. If you know Bill Fleet, (BIG GUY) he has bolted his seat straight to the floor. The Miata is the most raced car in the world because of it's handling capabilities and can be modified to do almost anything, so don't think you've cheated yourself on a good track car.

[rodhx]

I know Wally...it's just that tracking a street convertible is getting more and more difficult, especially at my height. I think my only option is something similar to Bill's, with a race seat & custom mount directly on the floor. But I would have to be able to replace the race seat with my stock seats for daily & autocross use.

I can't imagine being able to get in, or more importantly, out of a spec miata. Maybe I can try on Todd Greene's sometime...but I'll need a bunch of you guys to stick around to pull me out!


Now a spec e30 on the other hand...

[e30Racer]

Now a spec e30 on the other hand...

Now that's what I like to hear Rod!!!

[farrout]

If you have a rollbar, do not forget the rollbar padding required in 11.1.9.

PDX rules allow you to attach the hardtop using the factory latches, etc. However, if you hard mount it, we will not turn you away.

Your helmeted head just has to be below the top of the rollbar. The 2 or 3" distance is only recommended. For a quick fix, take an inch or so of padding out of the seat. It will not interfere with your daily driving. In fact, it may enhance your ability to see out the windshield.

[toddgreene]

I can't imagine being able to get in, or more importantly, out of a spec miata. Maybe I can try on Todd Greene's sometime...but I'll need a bunch of you guys to stick around to pull me out!

That is what the crew is for!!!

Rod,

I have a Kirkey seat and cover you can have if you want to try to mount.
I butchered it up to fit the floor and cage and eventually went with another seat.
You may be able to adapt it for your use.

Todd

[rodhx]

Thanks for the offer Todd! I may just take that off your hands. One question though...how wide is it?

[farrout]

If you put a race seat in a Miata (either CSP, SSC, Spec Miata or ITA), a removeable steering wheel makes a huge difference in being able to get in and out of it. If you have a hardtop on the car, the removeable steering wheel is a must have. Going open top makes it a bit easier but the removeable wheel is a good thing to have.

[toddgreene]

Thanks for the offer Todd! I may just take that off your hands. One question though...how wide is it?

PM sent.

[hondamaint]

Sent my entry in today. Chris and I will share the car. Just one question, does the car need a passenger seat installed for the TT event/school?

[Welacey]

If your doing the PDX, then you will need an extra seat with the same safety setup as the driver. If you are doing the TT school then all you need is the driver seat. The instructors watch you from trackside for the TT.

[hondamaint]

Thanks,we will leave the seat out.