2006 Club/Time Trials Car Classifications

[sperry]

Okay, since I got tapped to work on the new rules for TT classes, I've got the rules before everyone else.

These are not official, but it looks like Northwest and Reno Region is going to approve them shortly, and then they'll be sent off to nationals for their stamp of approval. They're significantly different than last years rules, so take a look:

Sports Car Club of America
NORPAC Division
Club Trials / Time Trials Production Classes Rev 1.1.3


Purpose: The purpose of the Time Trials Production (TT) classes is to provide a simplified method for classifying cars for Club and Time Trials competition. These classes are intended for, but not limited to, vehicles that are normally classed in the Street Prepared, Street Touring, and Street Modified Solo classes.

It is assumed that cars competing in the Time Trials Production classes are prepared beyond the Showroom Stock classes, but not to the specifications of the Club Racing classes defined in the GCR. It is also assumed that Time Trials classed cars will have similarly prepared suspension and brakes, making considerations for such modifications unnecessary for classification purposes. Finally, it is understood that these classifications are new and based on limited data and experience, and will therefore be inappropriate in some cases. In such cases, the event officials are given the authority to make changes with regards to an individual’s car classification in the interest of balanced competition. Any changes to an individual’s car classification will be documented by the event officials with the reasons for the change and sent to the Time Trials Divisional Program Manager and the SCCA Time Trials Administrative Council for review.

Cars Eligible: Commonly available production automobiles intended for street use, modified for Club Trials or Time Trials competition (original frame or unibody), and on DOT approved tires (street or R-compound). It is recommended that cars eligible for Showroom Stock participate in their stock class. Likewise cars prepared for SCCA Club Racing should participate in their GCR defined class. However, all production based cars are eligible for Time Trials Production classification.

Classification: Cars will be classed by the engine displacement (liters) of the vehicle and shall compete in their applicable Time Trials Production class listed below. A vehicle’s displacement is determined by the current (factory or modified) displacement multiplied by 1 + the sum of the appropriate modifiers (listed below) rounded to the nearest 0.1 liter to determine the final classification. Please note that more than one modifier can apply to one car, but each modifier can be applied only once. For weight calculations, the manufacturer’s specified curb weight of the vehicle will be used. Cars without complete factory interiors (this includes seat swaps) will subtract 200 pounds from their curb weight for calculation purposes.


Time Trials Production Classes

Class Minimum Displacement (liters) Maximum Displacement (liters)
TT-1 8.0 Unlimited
TT-2 5.5 7.9
TT-3 4.5 5.4
TT-4 3.5 4.4
TT-5 2.0 3.4
TT-6 0.0 1.9

Displacement Modifier Chart

Modifier Name Notes
-0.50 Diesel Applied to any vehicle that runs on diesel fuel.

2.00 Rotary Applied to any vehicle powered by a rotary motor.

0.80 Forced Induction Applied to any turbocharged or supercharged vehicle.

0.40 Altered Boost Applied to any vehicle running non-factory levels of boost (via boost controllers, wastegate modification, ECU reprogramming, other electronic engine management, blow off/pop off valve changes, pulleys, and/or porting/polishing of forced induction components). “Non-factory” boost is defined not only as peak boost changes, but boost curve changes as well. This includes normally aspirated cars that have added forced induction. Changes in boost levels as a result of modification to systems not directly related to boost control (i.e. changes to exhaust systems, intercoolers/after coolers, intake, etc.) are permitted without requiring the application of this multiplier.

0.15 Multi-valve Applied to any vehicle with three or more valves per cylinder.

0.15 Multi-cam Applied to any vehicle with two or more camshafts.

0.60 Variable Valve Timing Applied to any vehicle with variable valve timing (including but not limited to Honda VTEC, Toyota VVTi, Subaru AVCS, BMW Vanos, etc.)

1.00 Engine Swap Applied to any vehicle powered by a motor of different type or layout, or a motor from a different manufacturer than the original factory installed motor.

Variable Lightweight Applied to any vehicle with a factory curb weight less than 2700 lbs. Vehicles with partial interiors or seat swaps will subtract 200 lbs from their curb weight for use in calculating this modifier. Modifier is 0.002 for every pound under 2700.

For example: A 2800 lb car with the rear seats removed.
(2700 – (Modified Curb Weight)) * 0.001
(2700 – (2800 – 200)) * 0.001 = 0.10

Variable Heavyweight Applied to any vehicle with a factory curb weight greater than 3200 lbs. Vehicles with partial interiors or seat swaps will subtract 200 lbs from their curb weight for use in calculating this modifier. Modifier is 0.002 for every pound over 3200.

For example: A 3800 lb car with the rear seats removed.
(3200 – (Modified Curb Weight)) * 0.001
(3200 – (3800 – 200)) * 0.001 = -0.40

It's a bit hard to read in the post. The .DOC file is attached, and includes a worksheet for calculating your class. In addition I wrote a nifty little scrip to help people out: http://www.seccs.org/ttclass.php

I'd love some feedback, but please note, I probably can't change anything at this point without it going through committee review, so it's not likely things will change unless you find a glaring error.

And yes, STI's are in TT-2 with the Corvettes. It's where they belong.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by sperry

And yes, STI's are in TT-2 with the Corvettes. It's where they belong.

That's fine...It will be a good challenge.

Overall, things look great Scott, you will no doubt impress a few people with your work on this, and I think the classing will realy help the grouping this year.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

That's fine...It will be a good challenge.

Overall, things look great Scott, you will no doubt impress a few people with your work on this, and I think the classing will realy help the grouping this year.

Well, I was never doing it for recognition... I just want to have some good competition at trials!

It was a ton of work though. And I'm really nervous as to how the classes will actually turn out. My biggest fear is that every class champion will be a know-to-be mediocre driver in a class killer car... which could happen since these rules are based primarily on our own region's results... NWR could have a bunch of cars that throw off the curve. However, after talking w/ someone from NWR a bunch, I think we're on the same page. It sounds like they've got a bunch of very well prepared cars, but they're mostly TT-4 and TT-5, while our highly prepared cars are TT-2 or racing in the GCR classes.

[Kevin M]

Outstanding job Scott- IMO the classing is easier to read and apply than it was before, but makes the classing make much more sense once we see who goes where in grids. Kudos.

Oh, and damn am I lucky. Curb weight is listed for a 1996 Miata as either 2293 or 2312 pounds depending on which websites you belive. Owner's manual doesn't list curb weight, only GVWR. Anwyays, with seat swap, DOHC, and 16 valves, if it weighed 2283 or less, it would be TT-4 instead of TT-5. Lucky me! And Russ Carpenter I guess. Ha.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Outstanding job Scott- IMO the classing is easier to read and apply than it was before, but makes the classing make much more sense once we see who goes where in grids. Kudos.

Oh, and damn am I lucky. Curb weight is listed for a 1996 Miata as either 2293 or 2312 pounds depending on which websites you belive. Owner's manual doesn't list curb weight, only GVWR. Anwyays, with seat swap, DOHC, and 16 valves, if it weighed 2283 or less, it would be TT-4 instead of TT-5. Lucky me! And Russ Carpenter I guess. Ha.

Lucky nothing... the modifiers and weight limits are *specifically* designed to keep the Miata's in TT-5 as per the wishes of NWR who believe they'd get killed in TT-4. Have fun w/ the spec miata's BTW.

[Kevin M]

I'm a lot less concerned with the Spec Miatas than I am with the Spec Miata drivers! I'll probably end up being more competitive in TT-3 with a turbo kit than in TT-5 against a bunch of people with race car experience in essentially the same car. Also, earlier (and non-M Edition) 1.8 Miatas will get bumped to TT-4 anyway if they have interior mods.

[Dean]

So, Stock boost 02-05 WRX is TT-3, and modified boost is TT-2. Great...

[Nick Koan]

Great. So I'm up in TT-2 with the STi's and Vette's.

Luckily, I rule so its not a big deal.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

So, Stock boost 02-05 WRX is TT-3, and modified boost is TT-2. Great...

Um, try again:

TT Classification for a 2002 WRX:

Curb Weight: 3080 lbs
= 3080 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.1 (Total Displacement Modifier)

2.0 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.1 (Displacement Modifier)
= 4.2 L (Adjusted Displacement)

Class: TT-4

TT Classification for a 2002 WRX:

Curb Weight: 3080 lbs
= 3080 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.5 (Total Displacement Modifier)

2.0 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.5 (Displacement Modifier)
= 5 L (Adjusted Displacement)

Class: TT-3

[sperry]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Great. So I'm up in TT-2 with the STi's and Vette's.

Luckily, I rule so its not a big deal.

It's an unfortunate side effect that Subaru decided to put the STI motor, minus the turbo and tuning in the LGT and 06+ WRX... the rules have to be written to properly class the faster car, and you guys get swept up.

Nick, I'd suggest figuring out what Showroom Stock class your car is in, and seeing if you're legal in it.

[Nick Koan]

Actually, I'm not too concerned. The car was never meant to be a super competitive Time Trials car. If I even do any events, I'll probably just run in TT-2 and not worry when I get spanked.

[Dean]

Using your little calculator, and the numbers I have I got... I'll take TT-4/3, but that ain't what it is telling me. Doesn't the WRX have variable valve timing, or is that only the STI?

Stock Boost:
TT Classification for a 2002/Subaru WRX:
Curb Weight: 3125 lbs
= 3125 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0.6 (Variable Valve Timing)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.7 (Total Displacement Modifier)

1.994 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.7 (Displacement Modifier)
= 5.4 L (Adjusted Displacement)


Class: TT-3

Modded boost:
TT Classification for a 2002/Subaru WRX:
Curb Weight: 3125 lbs
= 3125 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0.6 (Variable Valve Timing)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 3.1 (Total Displacement Modifier)

1.994 L (Base Displacement)
* 3.1 (Displacement Modifier)
= 6.2 L (Adjusted Displacement)


Class: TT-2

Originally Posted by sperry

Um, try again:

TT Classification for a 2002 WRX:

Curb Weight: 3080 lbs
= 3080 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.1 (Total Displacement Modifier)

2.0 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.1 (Displacement Modifier)
= 4.2 L (Adjusted Displacement)

Class: TT-4

TT Classification for a 2002 WRX:

Curb Weight: 3080 lbs
= 3080 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.5 (Total Displacement Modifier)

2.0 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.5 (Displacement Modifier)
= 5 L (Adjusted Displacement)

Class: TT-3

[sperry]

WRX didn't get AVCS until 2006. All the 2.0L motors are not VVT, at least in the US. Also, you're using the wagon's curb weight... the '02/'03 sedans are 3085 give or take based on the mag you trust.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by Dean

Using your little calculator, and the numbers I have I got... I'll take TT-4/3, but that ain't what it is telling me. Doesn't the WRX have variable valve timing, or is that only the STI?

I don't think the WRX had AVCS (variable valve timing) until the 2.5L engine.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

WRX didn't get AVCS until 2006. All the 2.0L motors are not VVT, at least in the US. Also, you're using the wagon's curb weight... the '02/'03 sedans are 3085 give or take based on the mag you trust.

Woot! I can live with TT-4/3 depending... Might need some R compounds for the track though.

[Dean]

So Scott, does FrankenSuby have VVT? if so, doesn't that push you into TT-1?

TT Classification for a FrankenSuby:
Curb Weight: 3085 lbs
-200 lbs (Stripped Interior Penalty)
= 2885 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0.6 (Variable Valve Timing)
+ 1 (Engine Swap)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 4.1 (Total Displacement Modifier)

1.994 L (Base Displacement)
* 4.1 (Displacement Modifier)
= 8.2 L (Adjusted Displacement)


Class: TT-1

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by Dean

So Scott, does FrankenSuby have VVT? if so, doesn't that push you into TT-1?

TT Classification for a FrankenSuby:
Curb Weight: 3085 lbs
-200 lbs (Stripped Interior Penalty)
= 2885 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0.6 (Variable Valve Timing)
+ 1 (Engine Swap)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 4.1 (Total Displacement Modifier)

1.994 L (Base Displacement)
* 4.1 (Displacement Modifier)
= 8.2 L (Adjusted Displacement)


Class: TT-1

Should this be the new displacement, or is that all taken into account with the engine swap multiplier?

[sperry]

TT Classification for a 2002 WRX "Frankensuby".

Curb Weight: 3085 lbs
-200 lbs (Stripped Interior Penalty)
= 2885 lbs (Time Trials Weight)

1.0
+ 0.8 (Forced Induction)
+ 0.4 (Altered Boost)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Valves)
+ 0.15 (Multi-Cams)
+ 0 (Weight)
= 2.5 (Total Displacement Modifier)

2.5 L (Base Displacement)
* 2.5 (Displacement Modifier)
= 6.3 L (Adjusted Displacement)

Class: TT-2

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Should this be the new displacement, or is that all taken into account with the engine swap multiplier?

Engine swap follows SM rules... bascially, if the motor is legal in SM, it's not a "swap". The actual displacement of 2.5L is used.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

Engine swap follows SM rules... bascially, if the motor is legal in SM, it's not a "swap". The actual displacement of 2.5L is used.

OK, I didn't get that from

1.00 Engine Swap Applied to any vehicle powered by a motor of different type or layout, or a motor from a different manufacturer than the original factory installed motor.

In my mind, a 2.5l is a different type to some extent. I can read it your way now. What is a "type"? are all V-motors, 6 or 8 the same type? Are 2 rotors and 3 rotors the same type? I can see "layout" being horizontally opposed vs. V-n, vs. straight, vs. rotary, but am I right, or is limited to rotary vs. piston vs. turbine?

Oh, and in SM, an you own a Mazda, you can swap from rottary to pistons legally, it doesn't sound like you can in TT without the "swap" modifier... Bad analogy maybe?

And since there is no modifier for Turbines, can I run one? OK, the last was a joke, but the rest wasn't

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

OK, I didn't get that from

In my mind, a 2.5l is a different type to some extent. I can read it your way now. What is a "type"? are all V-motors, 6 or 8 the same type? Are 2 rotors and 3 rotors the same type? I can see "layout" being horizontally opposed vs. V-n, vs. straight, vs. rotary, but am I right, or is limited to rotary vs. piston vs. turbine?

Oh, and in SM, an you own a Mazda, you can swap from rottary to pistons legally, it doesn't sound like you can in TT without the "swap" modifier... Bad analogy maybe?

And since there is no modifier for Turbines, can I run one? OK, the last was a joke, but the rest wasn't

So, I went from a horizontally opposed 4-cylinder 4-stroke gasoline fueled internal combustion motor manufactured by the Subaru brand of Fuji Heavy Industries to a... horizontally opposed 4-cylinder 4-stroke gasoline fueled internal combustion motor manufactured by the Subaru brand of Fuji Heavy Industries . The type (gasoline, 4-stroke, internal combustion) never changed, the layout (flat 4), nor the manufacturer (Subaru/FHI) changed.

In fact, the *only* thing that isn't from a 2002 WRX is the short block, water pump and oil pump. If I had bored/stroked my 2.0 to 2.5 it would be the motor in my car, at least as far as the rules are concerned.

The swap modifier is to pick up those people that drop a 500 hp chevy small block in a 2000 lb datsun. Or a Cosworth 1.6L 1960's F1 motor in a TVR.

If you'd like to put a kerosene jet turbine in your car, go ahead, it's a 1.0 modifier... which is less than forced induction (. + altered boost (.4)... you may be on to something.


Edit: and to clarify... any "swapped" motor that doesn't quality for the TT modifier would be legal in SM, the converse is *not* true. Putting an SVX motor in an Impreza is a layout change... same with dropping a rotory into a Miata. This may require clarification in the rules... but the basic intent of the rules is to allow people to do "swaps" if they are simply easier methods for doing already legal modifications. I can do cams, heads, boring, stroking, etc to my motor, so why can't I just save some money and drop in a fully built motor that's the same as my motor would be after all that work. Make sense?

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

Make sense?

Yes.

[sperry]

Bump!

Revision 1.1.6 rules are complete (though not quite official)... check here for the rules, as well as the classification script:

http://www.seccs.org/ttclass.php

Comments welcome!

[Kevin M]

Two questions: Do drivers get to choose between curb weight and actual weight, and does the interior mod penalty still apply if we use actual weight? At ~2500 pounds race weight (2300 curb, 170 driver, plus whatever my hardtop and rollbar weigh, minus a few miscellaneous pounds from mods) with no stripped interior penalty, I move down to TT-6, and I don't expect that to be very fair.

Edit: Actually, even with the penalty, at 2500 pounds actual weight, I'm in TT-6. I imagine many of the '99+ Miatas would be as well.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Two questions: Do drivers get to choose between curb weight and actual weight, and does the interior mod penalty still apply if we use actual weight? At ~2500 pounds race weight (2300 curb, 170 driver, plus whatever my hardtop and rollbar weigh, minus a few miscellaneous pounds from mods) with no stripped interior penalty, I move down to TT-6, and I don't expect that to be very fair.

Edit: Actually, even with the penalty, at 2500 pounds actual weight, I'm in TT-6. I imagine many of the '99+ Miatas would be as well.

Originally Posted by TT Rules

Weight Modifier Calculations:
For use with the weight modifiers, two methods are available for weight calculations. The manufacturer’s specified curb weight of the vehicle may be used, cars without complete factory interiors (this includes seat swaps, but not the removal of spare tires, tools, trunk liners, or other trim not within the passenger compartment) will subtract 200 pounds from their curb weight for calculation purposes. Or, the car may be weighed in race trim, with driver, in order to use the actual vehicle weight. Weighed cars will have their weight signed off in their log book by an SCCA tech inspector, in order to prevent having to re-weigh the vehicle at every event. It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain the weight of the vehicle at the signed off weight (+/- 10 lbs), or re-weigh the vehicle if the weight is changed.

You get to pick between curb weight (with the interior penalty) or actual race weight as determined by the scales as you come off course.

The addition of the actual weight option was not my idea, and I'm a little scared of applying it because I don't know what kind of weights most cars are racing at, and all the weight modifiers are based solely on my curb weight research. The option was added because some people complained that they think the -200 lbs penalty for something like a race seat is unfair, especially if they've added a cage.

I'm just guessing that once people actually weigh their cars, they're going to find out they're a little lighter than they thought they'd be, considering the lighter wheels, exhausts, syspensions, etc. they tend to run. I know my car, with driver was exactly 3000 lbs, the last time I weighed it, and that includes the heavier STI tranny in there.

Perhaps we need to add a +100 assistance to cars with cages or something and drop the use of the scales.