SCCA Club Racing Time Trials Program a Hit in 2005, Stage Set for Huge 2006

TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 21, 2005) – Playing the role of new kid on the block in 2005, it didn’t take the revamped SCCA Club Racing Time Trials program long to make a ton of friends.

The impact in the first season since its rebirth within Club Racing was so great, in fact, that those who took part in a Time Trials event at some level can’t wait for year number two, which appears ready to wallop the first year’s success.

Dave Deborde, Regional Executive of SCCA Reno Region, took a chance on getting the Time Trials program rolling in his area and said it opened the eyes of many who may not have otherwise ever gotten involved in motorsports, much less SCCA.

“The Time Trials program gave us the opportunity to offer a new venue to motorsports enthusiasts within the Great Basin area,” Deborde said. “We were able to offer a PDX and a Track Trials at the Reno-Fernley Raceway and four weekends of Club Trials at a small airport in Lovelock, Nev.

“Because of the Time Trials program, 10-12 new members have joined SCCA.”

Regions also face the challenge of retaining members. Time Trials, Deborde said, provides a way for that to happen while exposing them to different avenues within racing that they may not have known previously.

“Perhaps just as important,” Deborde said, “is the fact that many existing inactive members have become active and are involved in the Club in the Time Trials program. Over the 2005 season, approximately 55 people have been exposed to flagging or other specialties that will be necessary to initiate a Club Racing program within the Region.”

The number of officials for the program is on the rise, not just in Reno Region, but across the country. According to statistics compiled by SCCA Club Racing, licensed officials for the Time Trials program also increased, up a whopping 86 percent – or nearly double the number of officials in the program this time last year.

Chuck DeProw, of Wentzville, Mo., took part in a PDX this year and said the effort was well worth it.

“To take your car out on a road course is a thrill in itself,” DeProw said. “You were with your friends and everyone thought he or she was Michael Andretti. We were allowed to pass on the straights by hand signals only. At the end of the session, we talked about our lines, how our cars handled, where to brake and when we could get to do it again!

“I’m looking forward to doing the program again in 2006 with more experience and a lot of new friends to drive with.”

DeProw, and all others who anxiously await the new Track Trials year, will have plenty of opportunity to “do it again!” as 2006 looks to catapult off of 2005’s success.

This year, Performance Driving Experiences (PDX) doubled, up to 25 events from 12 in 2004. Club Trials made the largest jump, getting drivers to the track 18 times in 2005 after only having three events the prior year. Track Trials increased 100 percent, going from 10 events to 20, and Hill Climbs added an event as well as competitors attacked mountain sides eight times.

Overall, Time Trials events increased 45 percent as the total number of events rose from 32 to 70 this season.

“We set substantial goals in terms of growth for the Time Trials program, and on many levels, it exceeded what we set,” SCCA Club Racing Director Terry Ozment said. “The regions that were able to take part in the program found it to be well worth the effort. We hope that even more Regions learn firsthand how beneficial Time Trials can be for their local members, and, based on the overwhelming positive feedback we received, we can’t wait to see what happens with Time Trials in 2006.”

More expansion is expected in 2006. Some of that growth will come in the form of an expanded PDX program. More could come in the form of a three or four event Club Trials National Series. And though it is far from a new event, the Giant's Despair Hill Climb in Wilkes Barre, Pa. will reach an unheard of milestone when participants celebrate the event's 100th anniversary.

The message is clear: Time Trials events benefit everyone involved, from the Region that hosts the event to the people, both new and experienced, who drive in them. And with the program’s popularity skyrocketing, now is the perfect time for novices to take part in an event and Regions to get Time Trials on the 2006 schedule.

To schedule a Time Trials event in your area, SCCA members contact your local Regional Executive and have them contact the Region’s Club Racing Scheduling Coordinator.

For more information about SCCA and all of its competition programs, visit www.scca.com.

SCCA CLUB RACING TIME TRIALS PROGRAM

Performance Driving Experience (PDX) - The PDX is the first level of the program and provides an instructional environment for drivers who want to improve driving skills and increase their enjoyment of driving their street vehicle. PDX is SCCA’s unique version of “track” or “lapping” days.

Club Trials – Club Trials is the second level of the Time Trials program. This level combines elements of PDX instruction with the excitement of running against the clock to determine individual class winners. Cars range from street cars to fully prepared race cars.

Track Trials – Track Trials, the third level of the program, offers closed-course track time, and winners are determined by fastest time around the course. Cars prepared for both Solo and Road Racing competition are eligible for Track Trials.

Hill Climbs – The fourth and top level of the Time Trials program. Hill Climb events offer short-distance, timed events for race-prepared vehicles on paved mountain roads, with winners determined by fastest times.