Kinda noob here but can someone explain to me what "Time trial pace" means please.
SCCA Definition:
Time Trials is the term for competition in which competitors vie for the fastest lap or elapsed time to complete a designated course. Time Trials competitors may share the track or course, but these events are not wheel-to-wheel competitions.
Within the Time Trials program, there are three primary formats:
1. Time Attack
"Time Attack" is the modern term which best described traditional Time Trials. This format means competing for the best lap on a closed course purpose built for performance driving or motorsports.
2. TrackSprint
TrackSprint is a format for competition on a specific section of a closed course purpose built for performance driving or motorsports. (E.g., a standing-start run from a specific point on track to a flying finish at a different point on track.) Though cars may share the course, there should be enough space to avoid cars passing or running in close proximity to each other.
3. HillClimb
Hillclimb is a competition where one car at a time competes on a closed public road, typically with "climbing" elevation as a primary feature. Though cars may share the course, there should be enough space to avoid cars passing or running in close proximity to each other.
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From the times I have been at Sonoma or Laguna Seca and seen the time trial (using format #1 above) take place (usually at lunch), the cars enter the track by class, in the order of fastest to slowest. They get most of one lap to warm things up, then everyone gets one timed lap (it is possible they get more, but I believe it's one). Fastest lap in each class is the winner.
From a tire perspective, there is very little time to warm them up, so a tire like the Advan 052 has an advantage of being very quick right away. But as it warms up, the times start increasing.
Jim
