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FASTRACK has published the SCCA Board of Directors approved 2014 Time Trial Rules with an immediate effectivity. Although published on the SCCA website as a 2013 revised edition, they will be good for 2014 as well. Hopefully I was able to upload the new TTR for you. If not they can be found on the SCCA website under CLub Racing/Cars and Rules.
The new 2014 Time Trial Rules were developed by the TTAC under a tasking from the SCCA BOD to not only revise the current PDX rule set but to go well beyond that. The current set of convoluted rice bowls were to be broken by first determining what was essential for safety and then making the new rules simple, easy to understand, and easy to execute. That SCCA is in competition with numerous other “for profit” organizations who also run HPDEs is a fact. The TTAC took the opportunity to retool all of the 2013 TTR be it PDX, CT, TT or HC. Make it simple, keep it safe, make it fun. Remove the current Barriers to Entry.
What you will see is a radical shift from what was before. Previously, DX/CT/TT/HC drivers had to wade thru the individual PDX/CT/TT/HC TTR in order to find what might pertain to them. But could the driver actually find and understand everything he needed to know? Our experience was it was difficult at best. Many perspective and current TT drivers got confused and asked for help. The TTAC questioned every current TTR statement and/or requirement as to its basis and necessity. In this critical review, the TTAC found many “requirements” in the TTR that were said to have been required by Insurance or some other SCCA dictum. When researched and questioned, the TTAC found that most of these “myths” had been handed down for generations in the various SOLO I, TTR, and/or GCR versions but that there was no current basis of fact for the assumption that they were the “gospel”. TTAC worked with the SCCA insurance people and the Underwriter as well as the BOD to determine the true insurance requirements.
The new TTR consists of two basic groups: Driver Information (i.e., Driver’s Manuals) and Operational Information. The Driver’s Manuals are meant to provide what the driver needs to know to prepare themselves and their cars for a TT event. They are solely focused on achieving that and making it simple for the driver. The TTAC found that PDX (Level 1) and Club Trials (Level 2) were very similar as were Track Trials (Level 3) and Hill Climbs (Level 4) in what they required of the driver. Thus there is a combined PDX/CT Driver’s Manual and a combined TT/HC Driver’s Manual. Drivers do not necessarily need to know nor do they want to how a Time Trials event is organized and run. The Operational Information is one document that covers all TT Levels and is meant to provide the Region organizers with the information they need to know to run a safe TT event. Driver requirements are not repeated in the Operational Information since the three TTR documents are meant to be complementary.
In the new rules, leeway is designed in such that Regions can insert specific requirements into their Supps as needed. Similarly, Regions will have more responsibility for determining what is needed for the safe conduct of their event. Certainly, safety must be everyone’s main concern but it is recognized that individual Regions across the country may have different perspectives. For instance, some tracks have unique requirements and these can be reflected in the Supps. Other than sharing common elements (i.e., point-bys), one set of passing rules can not be applicable to every venue. Thus, passing rules unique to each venue should be put in the Supps. There are some requirements that are mandatory (the usual “shall” or “must”). There is also a lot of guidance (the usual “should” or “may”). The old standard of “If it is not specifically authorized, you cannot do it” has changed.
We hope that as drivers and Regions read the new TTR they will see that the rules are safe, simple, and easier to understand. The TTAC expects that most drivers/organizers will embrace them while some may not feel comfortable with the new rules. Some things may need more explanation or new guidance added. As usual, we solicit constructive criticism and comment. Every TTAC Representative is available to answer questions as needed.
Craig Farr
SEDIV TTAC Representative
SEDIV TT Committee
farrout@knology.net
The new 2014 Time Trial Rules were developed by the TTAC under a tasking from the SCCA BOD to not only revise the current PDX rule set but to go well beyond that. The current set of convoluted rice bowls were to be broken by first determining what was essential for safety and then making the new rules simple, easy to understand, and easy to execute. That SCCA is in competition with numerous other “for profit” organizations who also run HPDEs is a fact. The TTAC took the opportunity to retool all of the 2013 TTR be it PDX, CT, TT or HC. Make it simple, keep it safe, make it fun. Remove the current Barriers to Entry.
What you will see is a radical shift from what was before. Previously, DX/CT/TT/HC drivers had to wade thru the individual PDX/CT/TT/HC TTR in order to find what might pertain to them. But could the driver actually find and understand everything he needed to know? Our experience was it was difficult at best. Many perspective and current TT drivers got confused and asked for help. The TTAC questioned every current TTR statement and/or requirement as to its basis and necessity. In this critical review, the TTAC found many “requirements” in the TTR that were said to have been required by Insurance or some other SCCA dictum. When researched and questioned, the TTAC found that most of these “myths” had been handed down for generations in the various SOLO I, TTR, and/or GCR versions but that there was no current basis of fact for the assumption that they were the “gospel”. TTAC worked with the SCCA insurance people and the Underwriter as well as the BOD to determine the true insurance requirements.
The new TTR consists of two basic groups: Driver Information (i.e., Driver’s Manuals) and Operational Information. The Driver’s Manuals are meant to provide what the driver needs to know to prepare themselves and their cars for a TT event. They are solely focused on achieving that and making it simple for the driver. The TTAC found that PDX (Level 1) and Club Trials (Level 2) were very similar as were Track Trials (Level 3) and Hill Climbs (Level 4) in what they required of the driver. Thus there is a combined PDX/CT Driver’s Manual and a combined TT/HC Driver’s Manual. Drivers do not necessarily need to know nor do they want to how a Time Trials event is organized and run. The Operational Information is one document that covers all TT Levels and is meant to provide the Region organizers with the information they need to know to run a safe TT event. Driver requirements are not repeated in the Operational Information since the three TTR documents are meant to be complementary.
In the new rules, leeway is designed in such that Regions can insert specific requirements into their Supps as needed. Similarly, Regions will have more responsibility for determining what is needed for the safe conduct of their event. Certainly, safety must be everyone’s main concern but it is recognized that individual Regions across the country may have different perspectives. For instance, some tracks have unique requirements and these can be reflected in the Supps. Other than sharing common elements (i.e., point-bys), one set of passing rules can not be applicable to every venue. Thus, passing rules unique to each venue should be put in the Supps. There are some requirements that are mandatory (the usual “shall” or “must”). There is also a lot of guidance (the usual “should” or “may”). The old standard of “If it is not specifically authorized, you cannot do it” has changed.
We hope that as drivers and Regions read the new TTR they will see that the rules are safe, simple, and easier to understand. The TTAC expects that most drivers/organizers will embrace them while some may not feel comfortable with the new rules. Some things may need more explanation or new guidance added. As usual, we solicit constructive criticism and comment. Every TTAC Representative is available to answer questions as needed.
Craig Farr
SEDIV TTAC Representative
SEDIV TT Committee
farrout@knology.net
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