A newbie to TT. I need some advice.

[Tim S.]

Hello All,

I am a new member to the NASA organization. I currently hold a provisional license. I plan on running my first event at Firebird on April 2nd. My current car falls into TT-S and I am looking for any advice you can share with me about time trial.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to me running in HPDE 4 over TT my first event? (I will not be competing for points during the year since I am an out of towner)


Any and all info is welcome. Thanks a bunch in advance

Looking forward to meeting you all in the future.

Tim

[travisjb]

Hey Tim, I'm on the way out of town for a relo to SE but have been running with this terrific group for a few years... First, no, I don't think it matters a bunch... one pro to running de4 first would be getting to know that group of people so that as they move up to TT they are more familiar faces / cars... the sessions are just a bit longer too... otherwise, the big pro to going tt right away would be if you are trying to accumulate points for nationals this year... or have contingencies that are important to you

our tts group is very competitive in az... you sure you want to do this? haha... TTA is competitive too but smaller group and if you look at the times there, it is more like TTB than TTA... maybe you can drop down?

good luck!

[BlueTeg]

Originally Posted by Tim S.

Hello All,

I am a new member to the NASA organization. I currently hold a provisional license.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to me running in HPDE 4 over TT my first event? (I will not be competing for points during the year since I am an out of towner)


Any and all info is welcome. Thanks a bunch in advance

Looking forward to meeting you all in the future.

Tim

Hey Tim! Glad you'll be able to make it out to Phoenix for this event.

Which organization is your provisional with?

Advantages to running with DE4 instead of TT for this event:
You can focus more on your line and having fun, and less on your mirrors to avoid holding up the guys in Big Bore TT (who are running for points, contingency $$$, etc.). The lap times in TT Big Bore are typically the fastest in the club. We'll be running 2 different tracks for this event (3 sessions per track). One of those tracks will be run primarily at night, in the dark.

Based on your skill and prep level of your Evo, I think you'll be in the top third/quarter in terms of lap times in DE4 once you get the get hang of each track. You'll probably be able to pair up with a few of the faster drivers in the group and have some fun dicing it up with them.

The only disadvantage that I can think of is that you won't be competing against others in your class. If you have your own in-car lap timer though, you'll still be able to get your times from all your laps and all your sessions to see your progression through the day.

If you want a little taste of competition, then sign up for the UMS Time Attack. We've had huge turnouts for the UMS TA lately (30+ cars consistently) and this event should be the biggest one they've had in the 4 years that this region has had a TA.

[MelanomaMan]

Welcome to the group Tim!

[Tim S.]

Originally Posted by BlueTeg

Hey Tim! Glad you'll be able to make it out to Phoenix for this event.

Which organization is your provisional with?

Gabe,

Thanks for the response. I have held an SCCA Competition license for about 5 years (racing Spec Miata). I currently hold a NASA provisional.

You made some excellent points. I think HPDE-4 is a really good starting point for me. Once I get the hang of the tracks and become more of a regular then I can step up to TT.

I own a AMB transponder and a in car Hot Lap. AMB is not required for the HPDE's correct? I will need it for UMS Time Attack right?


Thanks for the responses fella's I am getting stoked to run in April!


Tim

[BlueTeg]

You can setup your Hot Lap system if you like for DE4. NASA does not time the HPDE groups.

You will need your AMB tranX for the UMS TA.

[MattS]

TT is nice because after the first session cars are grided by fastest lap time. This means no slower cars to impede your fun for at least the first few laps. Plus you get official lap times.

[Tim S.]

Bringing the thread back from the dead!

The 2012 Annual night event was my first TT and I must say I had a blast. I love the fast pace and how close the competition is. Thanks for everyone that gave me advice, NASA AZ is a stand up organization. I look for forward to racing with the Big Bore group in the future.

Tim S.