- Accepted Outside Certifications
- Check Rides
- Transponders
- Live Timing Apps
- On Track Expectations
- Convertibles and Rollbar Requirements
- I have a Road Race car. Can I participate in a Time Trials?
- Were there any photographers at the event?
- What does it take to graduate between Novice, Track Day, and Time Trials groups?
- What level of safety gear does my car need?
- What kind of helmet do I need?
- Can I wear shorts?
Accepted Outside Certifications: Texas Region Time Trials recognizes on track certifications from groups besides SCCA. A list of commonly accepted certifications are listed below. This list is not conclusive. Even if you have one of the certifications below we may still ask you to complete a check-ride with one of our instructors to verify your experience. Please contact our Chief Driving Instructor before signing up for the event. See the Contacts page for info.
- SCCA Club Race competition license
- APEX Intermediate or Advanced
- Chin Track Days Intermediate or Advanced
- ECR IPD/APD Solo Approved
- Edge Addicts Intermediate or Advanced
- NASA TT/Race
- The Drivers Edge Intermediate or Advanced
Check Rides: When coming from an outside group or seeking to graduate between groups, you or an instructor may ask you to perform a check ride. A separate instructor will ride with you for a few laps and observe your on track abilities. The instructor will be looking at the below criteria to determine if you are eligible to graduate to the next group:
- Knowledge of all flags and is looking at all flag stations when on track
- Demonstrable knowledge of track conditions and optimal racing line
- Demonstrates “360 degree awareness”
- Appropriate car control for the limits of their car and driving abilities
- Knowledge of point-by procedures (giving and taking)
- (Time Trials only) Pace appropriate for their car, modifications, and competitors in the Time Trials group
Transponder Info: Texas Region uses the MyLaps AMB transponder and decoder system. Any MyLaps vehicle transponder is compatible with our decoder system. All of our events have rental transponders available If you have any questions about timing, please contact our Chief of Timing and Scoring.
Live Timing Apps: Our events have two live timing options available. We use both the MyLaps Speedhive and RaceHero apps. Both apps receive the same timing information and are available free of charge on both Android and iOS devices.
On Track Expectations: Anyone who is solo approved may be bumped back to novice due to unsafe on-track actions, including but not limited to:
- Multiple bad passes
- Multiple off-track events
- Repeated missed flags
- Repeated blend line violations (if track applicable)
- Any other recurring unsafe actions on track
Convertibles and Rollbar Requirements: It is highly recommended that all convertible vehicles be equipped with an aftermarket roll bar that meets or exceeds the standards set out in the SCCA National Time Trials Safety Standards
Level 2, however at minimum a convertible must meet at least one of the following criteria and not be subject to any of the listed exceptions in order to participate in a Texas Region Time Trial/Track Day event.
Convertible vehicles of the 2005 model year and older must have rollover protection meeting one of the following criteria:
- The vehicle retains the OE drivetrain with no significant modifications and is equipped with documented factory installed roll over protection. (Examples of manufacturer- documented roll over protection include hydroformed and reinforced a-pillars or windshield frame and factory installed roll bars and/or “pop-up” bars that are designated as roll over protection.) See 4. Below for a list of convertibles that are known to have factory rollover protection and are approved to run.
- The vehicle is equipped with a commercially produced roll bar or roll cage which is describe by the manufacturer to provide track-appropriate rollover protection. (E.g., “style” bars are not acceptable.)
- Braces and portions of the main hoop subject to contact by the driver’s or passenger’s helmet, as seated normally and restrained by seatbelt or harness, must be padded with a non-resilient material such as Ethafoam® or Ensolite® or other similar material with a minimum thickness of 1/2 inch. Padding meeting SFI spec 45.1 or FIA 8857-2001 is strongly recommended.
- The vehicle is equipped with a roll bar that meets the standards set out in the SCCA National Time Trials Safety Standards Level 2 for material and construction.
Convertible vehicles of the 2006 model year or newer must have a roll bar that meets the standards set out in the SCCA National Time Trials Safety Standards Level 2 for material and construction unless one of the following criteria is met:
- 1. The vehicle is equipped with documented factory-installed roll over protection or a commercially produced roll bar or roll cage which is described by the manufacturer to provide track-appropriate rollover protection. See the following section for a list of cars that are known to have factory rollover protection and are approved to run.
- The vehicle is six (6) cylinders, with the OE drivetrain and may only be naturally aspirated.
- The vehicle is four (4) cylinders or less, with the OE drivetrain, including any forced- induction equipment.
Note: This means that for 2006+ convertibles, if the engine is not the original equipment model as delivered in that vehicle, aftermarket forced induction has been installed, or the vehicle has more than six (6) cylinders or six (6) cylinders and forced induction of any type, the vehicle must have aftermarket rollover protection or documented factory rollover protection.
For the full up-to-date info about our convertible rollbar requirements, please see the Texas Region Time Trials supplemental rules document on the Rules and Supps page. You may also reference the National Time Trials Safety Levels definitions & requirements here: https://timetrials.scca.com/pages/full-safety-rules
I have a Road Race car. Can I participate in a Time Trials event? Yes! With some exceptions, many Road Race classes are eligible to participate in any regular Texas Region SCCA Time Trials event. Please see the list below for eligible classes and their Time Trials equivalent.
Unfortunately some classes are specifically excluded from participation because their performance significantly exceeds even the fastest of our region Time Trial cars. Additionally, open wheel cars that are not already explicitly classed in the National Time Trials rules are not eligible for participation.
- Time Trials “Unlimited 1” Class: GT3, GTX, GTA, AS, T1, T2, T3, T4, STU
- Time Trials “Unlimited 2” Class: GTL, IT all, STL, P all, SM, B-Spec, SP, SPB
- Excluded: GT1, GT2
Were there any photographers at the event? Probably! Besides any visiting photographers, we have two region members that usually attend our events and manage to snap a few pictures. Both of their SmugMug links are below. Take a look and let them know you appreciate their efforts by buying a picture or two!
What does it take to graduate between Novice, Track Day, and Time Trials groups? Please see the About Time Trials page for full details
I have solo sign-off certification from a non-SCCA group. Can I participate in the Track Day or Time Trials groups? Yes, we do recognize certifications from outside our group. You will most likely need to receive a check ride during the first on-track session of the day.
What level of safety gear does my car need? Unless you have an older convertible and require an aftermarket roll-bar, most street cars are able to participate without any additional safety gear. Texas Region does not impose any further safety requirements above & beyond the National Time Trials ‘Level 1’ safety requirements. Please see the National Time Trials Safety Levels definitions & requirements here: https://timetrials.scca.com/pages/full-safety-rules
What kind of helmet do I need? You may wear a closed-face or open-faced SNELL M2010 or newer, or SA2010 or newer. For the full listing of approved helmet standards please see the National time Trials Safety Levels definitions & requirements here: https://timetrials.scca.com/pages/full-safety-rules
Can I wear shorts? It is highly recommended that you wear long cotton pants, but shorts are not explicitly banned if your car meets the Level 1 safety requirements. If you have a car with advanced modifications and safety gear that meets the Level 2 safety requirements, then a full fire-suit is required. Please see the National Time Trials Safety Levels definitions & requirements here: https://timetrials.scca.com/pages/full-safety-rules