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Its rather lengthy but here ya go :Craigs wrapup writeup.
At the TGPR TT this past weekend, I think we created and proved out a format that will give every TT driver more Track Time than they can stand. With our AMB Transponders, we should be able to bury the antiquated 3 cars, 3 laps format that we have been using for years. Each track may be a little different but the basic concept can be the same. Larger pods, running 15 minute sessions, with passing allowed on selected straights.
Cheerz
Craig Farr
For 2009, Tennessee Valley Region and Alabama Region of SCCA developed a completely new format for the Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (TGPR) Time Trial and TT School. The emphasis was put on giving drivers the maximum amount of track time in as safe a manner as possible. The previous 3 hot laps with 3 cars on track format was changed to ~15 minute sessions with 10-12 cars on track. Passing was allowed on the straights with a point-by. Driver track etiquette was exceptional. The 10-12 laps per session gave drivers adequate time to get their cars and tires up to optimal temperatures and allowed them to try different lines and learn from each other. As drivers departed for home on Sunday, groups were combined. The end result was drivers getting in excess of 80 laps and 125 miles on track. Most drivers ran out of tires, fuel, or were just plain tuckered out by early afternoon on Sunday. For the first time anyone can remember, all the drivers gave up before the clock ran out on the weekend. Driver comments were I got more track time on Saturday than 2 usual TT events! I never realized this format could be so much fun! Smoothest running event ever! I have never had so much fun at TGPR. Who cares about times when it is that much fun?
The SOLO I (now TT) School has been a staple in SEDIV since Walt Wurzbach started it some 20 years ago to qualify drivers for the legendary Chimney Rock Hill Climb. The crop of 12 students makes for another banner year of qualifying new drivers for the TT ranks. One student set a new track record.
Despite a dismal rainy forecast for Saturday night and Sunday, the weather cooperated with sunshine, no rain, and temperatures in the mid 60s. Without the Organizers and Workers, this event could not have been held. A HUGE THANK YOU to Everyone. The list is long: George Bugg - Chief Steward, Mark Rothermel - Chief Safety Steward and Tech, Craig Farr - Registrar and Tech, John Waight Chief Organizer, Ricky Ragan and Steve Patterson Asst Organizers and Tech, Eden Powell Registration and Timing, Bobby Bitterman - Chief Instructor, Clyde Bales Timing, Chuck Shultz Worker Chief.
Saturday morning, everyone had two ~15 minute multi-car, limited passing practice sessions. Practice and race pod assignments were made in advance with a precise timeline provided to each driver. Cars were grouped according to previous or predicted times. Pods were sequenced onto the grid so you only came to grid just before you were scheduled to compete. And, with 50 entrants, we never sat on the grid longer than 5 minutes. The AMB transponders worked flawlessly and interim results were available quickly. The fervent hope of everyone there is that the event will continue to be repeated annually. Well, actually, they wanted us to create a second event each year at TGPR.
The TGPR 1.41 mile road course had been reformatted and repaved in 2007. Running the track Counter Clockwise meant that late apexing became critical to fast times and staying on the pavement. This year, new gators at critical points have been added which make the track safer. Turn 1 is smooth, banked and fast leading into a passing straight before heading into the old Turns 2 and 3 which are now decreasing radius turns. A short straight led into the old skidpad (Turn 4). One uses about 100 degrees of the old skidpad. Apex it correctly and you are WOT as you drift out to track right, take the left bend (T5) and hammer down the second passing straight into Turn 6 and the kinks. Set up right for Turn 6 and you WOT thru the kinks as if they were not there. Early apex Turn 6 and you struggle to get by the right side kink. An easy left sweeper brings you onto the front passing straight past the Start/Finish and back into Turn 1. The new layout rewards both handling and high HP cars equally.
Drivers from 12 Regions (TVR-15, AL-8, CCR-7, ATL-4, SCR-4, Chattanooga-3, CFR-3, NCR-2, Dixie-1, Wiregrass-1, Tenn-1, Mississippi-1) provided a good cross reference of SEDIV. Twelve new track records were set in DSR, GT2, CF, SPU, FB, CSP, SRF, EP, ITA, FV, IT7, and ITB. Overall there were 50 drivers which is fantastic given the current economy. What a weekend!
Overall Results (Students in BOLD):
Name Class Overall Region Time
Craig Farr 1st in DSR 1st overall TVR 1:01.681 TRACK RECORD
Tom Turner 1st in GT2 2nd overall TVR 1:03.359 TRACK RECORD
Barry Durham 1st in CF 3rd overall NCR 1:03.487 TRACK RECORD
Mike Breakey 1st in SPU 4th overall Chat 1:06.512 TRACK RECORD
Jerry Freeman 1st in FB 5th overall TVR 1:07.050 TRACK RECORD
Robby Boyett 1st in SM 6th overall TVR 1:07.147
Jason Hawkins 1st in FS 7th overall ATL 1:07.739
Paul Crouch 2nd in CF 8th overall CFR 1:08.518
Alan Branch 1st in CSP 9th overall AL 1:08.889 TRACK RECORD
Andy Tow 2nd in SM 10th overall AL 1:09.160
Chris Barrett 2nd in CSP 11th overall CCR 1:09.559
Ari Surprenant 3rd in CSP 12th overall SCR 1:09.606
TJ Theodore 4th in CSP 13th overall SCR 1:09.951
Bruce Funderburg 1st in SRF 14th overall TVR 1:10.221 TRACK RECORD
Kurt Davidson 5th in CSP 15th overall CCR 1:10.361
Clayton Pannell 1st in ITA 16th overall TVR 1:10.424 TRACK RECORD
Steve Patterson 2nd in ITA 17th overall AL 1:10.427
Garry Hill 3rd in CF 18th overall NCR 1:10.475
Mike Chandler 1st in FV 19th overall TVR 1:10.889 TRACK RECORD
Wally Lacey 6th in CSP 20th overall AL 1:11.220
Peter Burman 1st in ITS 21st overall Chat 1:11.755
Pat Johnson 3rd in SM 22nd overall AL 1:12.168
Deems Riddle 2nd in ITS 23rd overall Chat 1:12.416
Randy Copeland 4th in SM 24th overall ATL 1:12.781
Coty Wood 7th in CSP 25th overall CCR 1:13.795
Mark Rothermel 2nd in FV 26th overall TVR 1:13.644
John Prater 1st in FP 27th overall TVR 1:14.081
Ken Owens 1st in EP 28th Overall Dixie 1:14.144 TRACK RECORD
Steve Conrad 8th in CSP 29th overall TVR 1:15.523
Brian Boardman 9th in CSP 30th overall TVR 1:15.595
Matthew Gustafson 1st in IT7 31st overall CFR 1:15.663 TRACK RECORD
Scott Main 1st in DSP 32nd overall Miss 1:15.691
Gene Vierling 10th in CSP 33rd overall ATL 1:15.963
Mark Seiler 11th in CSP 34th overall CCR 1:16.047
Shane Warren 12th in CSP 35th Overall CCR 1:16.118
Ricky Ragan 2nd in DSP 36th Overall AL 1:16.140
John Clarke 1st in ITB 37th Overall TVR 1:16.489 TRACK RECORD
Bill Hawkins 3rd in FV 38th Overall ATL 1:17.104
Jim Bowers 4th in FV 39th Overall SCR 1:17.318
Joe Clayburn 1st in SpM 40th Overall AL 1:17.574
Spike Pannell 3rd in ITA 41st Overall TVR 1:17.762
Mark Gustafson 4th in ITA 42nd overall CFR 1:18.948
Sheila Cockrell 1st in ESP 43rd overall CCR 1:19.149
Maurice Tinkler 3rd in DSP 44th overall WG-45 1:19.419
Tom Rothrock 13th in CSP 45th overall TVR 1:19.709
Jerry Vogel 1st in SSC 46th overall AL 1:21.090
Rod Koch 2nd in ESP 47th overall TN 1:21.587
Gary Harris 2nd in ITB 48th overall TVR 1:23.524
Darell Davis 14th in CSP 49th overall SCR 1:25.118
Ray Cockrell 3rd in ESP 50th overall CCR 1:25.188
At the TGPR TT this past weekend, I think we created and proved out a format that will give every TT driver more Track Time than they can stand. With our AMB Transponders, we should be able to bury the antiquated 3 cars, 3 laps format that we have been using for years. Each track may be a little different but the basic concept can be the same. Larger pods, running 15 minute sessions, with passing allowed on selected straights.
Cheerz
Craig Farr
For 2009, Tennessee Valley Region and Alabama Region of SCCA developed a completely new format for the Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (TGPR) Time Trial and TT School. The emphasis was put on giving drivers the maximum amount of track time in as safe a manner as possible. The previous 3 hot laps with 3 cars on track format was changed to ~15 minute sessions with 10-12 cars on track. Passing was allowed on the straights with a point-by. Driver track etiquette was exceptional. The 10-12 laps per session gave drivers adequate time to get their cars and tires up to optimal temperatures and allowed them to try different lines and learn from each other. As drivers departed for home on Sunday, groups were combined. The end result was drivers getting in excess of 80 laps and 125 miles on track. Most drivers ran out of tires, fuel, or were just plain tuckered out by early afternoon on Sunday. For the first time anyone can remember, all the drivers gave up before the clock ran out on the weekend. Driver comments were I got more track time on Saturday than 2 usual TT events! I never realized this format could be so much fun! Smoothest running event ever! I have never had so much fun at TGPR. Who cares about times when it is that much fun?
The SOLO I (now TT) School has been a staple in SEDIV since Walt Wurzbach started it some 20 years ago to qualify drivers for the legendary Chimney Rock Hill Climb. The crop of 12 students makes for another banner year of qualifying new drivers for the TT ranks. One student set a new track record.
Despite a dismal rainy forecast for Saturday night and Sunday, the weather cooperated with sunshine, no rain, and temperatures in the mid 60s. Without the Organizers and Workers, this event could not have been held. A HUGE THANK YOU to Everyone. The list is long: George Bugg - Chief Steward, Mark Rothermel - Chief Safety Steward and Tech, Craig Farr - Registrar and Tech, John Waight Chief Organizer, Ricky Ragan and Steve Patterson Asst Organizers and Tech, Eden Powell Registration and Timing, Bobby Bitterman - Chief Instructor, Clyde Bales Timing, Chuck Shultz Worker Chief.
Saturday morning, everyone had two ~15 minute multi-car, limited passing practice sessions. Practice and race pod assignments were made in advance with a precise timeline provided to each driver. Cars were grouped according to previous or predicted times. Pods were sequenced onto the grid so you only came to grid just before you were scheduled to compete. And, with 50 entrants, we never sat on the grid longer than 5 minutes. The AMB transponders worked flawlessly and interim results were available quickly. The fervent hope of everyone there is that the event will continue to be repeated annually. Well, actually, they wanted us to create a second event each year at TGPR.
The TGPR 1.41 mile road course had been reformatted and repaved in 2007. Running the track Counter Clockwise meant that late apexing became critical to fast times and staying on the pavement. This year, new gators at critical points have been added which make the track safer. Turn 1 is smooth, banked and fast leading into a passing straight before heading into the old Turns 2 and 3 which are now decreasing radius turns. A short straight led into the old skidpad (Turn 4). One uses about 100 degrees of the old skidpad. Apex it correctly and you are WOT as you drift out to track right, take the left bend (T5) and hammer down the second passing straight into Turn 6 and the kinks. Set up right for Turn 6 and you WOT thru the kinks as if they were not there. Early apex Turn 6 and you struggle to get by the right side kink. An easy left sweeper brings you onto the front passing straight past the Start/Finish and back into Turn 1. The new layout rewards both handling and high HP cars equally.
Drivers from 12 Regions (TVR-15, AL-8, CCR-7, ATL-4, SCR-4, Chattanooga-3, CFR-3, NCR-2, Dixie-1, Wiregrass-1, Tenn-1, Mississippi-1) provided a good cross reference of SEDIV. Twelve new track records were set in DSR, GT2, CF, SPU, FB, CSP, SRF, EP, ITA, FV, IT7, and ITB. Overall there were 50 drivers which is fantastic given the current economy. What a weekend!
Overall Results (Students in BOLD):
Name Class Overall Region Time
Craig Farr 1st in DSR 1st overall TVR 1:01.681 TRACK RECORD
Tom Turner 1st in GT2 2nd overall TVR 1:03.359 TRACK RECORD
Barry Durham 1st in CF 3rd overall NCR 1:03.487 TRACK RECORD
Mike Breakey 1st in SPU 4th overall Chat 1:06.512 TRACK RECORD
Jerry Freeman 1st in FB 5th overall TVR 1:07.050 TRACK RECORD
Robby Boyett 1st in SM 6th overall TVR 1:07.147
Jason Hawkins 1st in FS 7th overall ATL 1:07.739
Paul Crouch 2nd in CF 8th overall CFR 1:08.518
Alan Branch 1st in CSP 9th overall AL 1:08.889 TRACK RECORD
Andy Tow 2nd in SM 10th overall AL 1:09.160
Chris Barrett 2nd in CSP 11th overall CCR 1:09.559
Ari Surprenant 3rd in CSP 12th overall SCR 1:09.606
TJ Theodore 4th in CSP 13th overall SCR 1:09.951
Bruce Funderburg 1st in SRF 14th overall TVR 1:10.221 TRACK RECORD
Kurt Davidson 5th in CSP 15th overall CCR 1:10.361
Clayton Pannell 1st in ITA 16th overall TVR 1:10.424 TRACK RECORD
Steve Patterson 2nd in ITA 17th overall AL 1:10.427
Garry Hill 3rd in CF 18th overall NCR 1:10.475
Mike Chandler 1st in FV 19th overall TVR 1:10.889 TRACK RECORD
Wally Lacey 6th in CSP 20th overall AL 1:11.220
Peter Burman 1st in ITS 21st overall Chat 1:11.755
Pat Johnson 3rd in SM 22nd overall AL 1:12.168
Deems Riddle 2nd in ITS 23rd overall Chat 1:12.416
Randy Copeland 4th in SM 24th overall ATL 1:12.781
Coty Wood 7th in CSP 25th overall CCR 1:13.795
Mark Rothermel 2nd in FV 26th overall TVR 1:13.644
John Prater 1st in FP 27th overall TVR 1:14.081
Ken Owens 1st in EP 28th Overall Dixie 1:14.144 TRACK RECORD
Steve Conrad 8th in CSP 29th overall TVR 1:15.523
Brian Boardman 9th in CSP 30th overall TVR 1:15.595
Matthew Gustafson 1st in IT7 31st overall CFR 1:15.663 TRACK RECORD
Scott Main 1st in DSP 32nd overall Miss 1:15.691
Gene Vierling 10th in CSP 33rd overall ATL 1:15.963
Mark Seiler 11th in CSP 34th overall CCR 1:16.047
Shane Warren 12th in CSP 35th Overall CCR 1:16.118
Ricky Ragan 2nd in DSP 36th Overall AL 1:16.140
John Clarke 1st in ITB 37th Overall TVR 1:16.489 TRACK RECORD
Bill Hawkins 3rd in FV 38th Overall ATL 1:17.104
Jim Bowers 4th in FV 39th Overall SCR 1:17.318
Joe Clayburn 1st in SpM 40th Overall AL 1:17.574
Spike Pannell 3rd in ITA 41st Overall TVR 1:17.762
Mark Gustafson 4th in ITA 42nd overall CFR 1:18.948
Sheila Cockrell 1st in ESP 43rd overall CCR 1:19.149
Maurice Tinkler 3rd in DSP 44th overall WG-45 1:19.419
Tom Rothrock 13th in CSP 45th overall TVR 1:19.709
Jerry Vogel 1st in SSC 46th overall AL 1:21.090
Rod Koch 2nd in ESP 47th overall TN 1:21.587
Gary Harris 2nd in ITB 48th overall TVR 1:23.524
Darell Davis 14th in CSP 49th overall SCR 1:25.118
Ray Cockrell 3rd in ESP 50th overall CCR 1:25.188
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