SCCA Time Trials Philosophy

Time Trials—first and foremost—is about the quest for speed. This is a place for mechanical creativity, driver development and envelope pushing. There is no room here for balance of performance, spec classes or slowing down the fast to make a better show.

The quest is first personal. This is much more about your experience and personal challenge than it is about winning and losing. The sport is based on creating a space where participants can push their own development and have a consistent way to measure their progress. Yes, there are classes, and yes, we will give trophies for people who do well in their class, but at the end of the day the more important questions are: did you go faster than you have before, did you learn more about driving than you knew before, did your car perform better than it did before?

This quest is also collective. It is about a community that has accepted the challenge of the track. One that believes that the battle is best fought on the same team, and that the next best thing to achieving greatness is witnessing it.

And in all of this, there is the Same Team Approach. The Time Trials program is founded on the idea that every person on site—from Event Lead to Drivers, and flaggers to family and friends—is there united in the pursuit of #funwithcars. 

The Time Trials Experience

TT National Tour events are designed to be highly engaging, accessible and inclusive. Camping at the track is encouraged. Friends and family are welcome, and food and drink is available on site. 

Competition is only one aspect of the Time Trials experience which also includes social elements, personal challenge, partner engagement, food, media, photography and fun. Each of these elements is crafted to create an experience where every participant has the opportunity to enjoy the event, regardless of finishing position.

Most importantly, the on-track experience is facilitated. Each group has a coach and each session has a debrief. The coach's job is to make sure everyone approaches the event from the perspective of "Same Team," with shared goals of clean laps and safe, fun and fair competition.

Track Events / Track Days

Many of us have seen the disclaimer at the bottom of TV ads which say, "professional driver, closed course" and imagined what it's like to drive on track. With SCCA Track Days and Track Night In America Driven by Tire Rack - both of which fall under the "Track Events Program" - you don’t have to imagine anymore.

SCCA Track Events provide an environment for drivers who simply want to increase the enjoyment of driving their vehicle. For most drivers, all it takes to be a part is your safe street car, a valid driver's license, and an approved helmet.

That’s it. The goal of an SCCA Track Event isn't to give a high-pressure experience and high stakes of "winning." It is to give you a thrilling experience and stories to share, all from an environment that gives everyone a level to feel comfortable. Because SCCA Track Events are not races - any on-track passes are limited to specific passing zones and only with a signal known as a "point-by."

You will receive some instruction while you’re there. That instruction often comes in the form of how to safely enjoy yourself, rather than how to drive at the limit. Think etiquette, how to learn a driving line, passing zones, and general techniques – which may allow you to move from a novice to intermediate or advanced groupings, as you feel comfortable.