Welcome to the NASA NE Time Trial information page. This page will be updated as needed, and drivers are responsible for reading this page at least one week before the event. In addition, this page contains links to current event results for drivers to download/view current event results. Please bookmark this page for easy access.
– New to TT or NASA?: In order to compete in TT you need to have significant NASA defined Open Passing experience. If you are new to NASA we reserve the right to require an evaluation period and may ask you to sign up for HPDE before allowing you to run TT. Please note that many other organizations’ “open passing” and “Time Trail” groups differ in definition and practice and we want to make sure any new to NASA drivers have proper understanding of our rules and procedures so you and all other drivers can compete in a safe environment. Checkout rides by the TT staff or senior instructors are available for HPDE 3 & 4 drivers to be evaluated for TT. If you are considering TT please complete the TT License Application (do not fill in the box at the bottom) and email it to jsuero@nasane.com.
Time Trial Rules and Forms
Forms:
- Dyno Certification Form (required signature by Dyno Operator)
- Official TT1-6 Class Forms (TT1-6 Class Calculator for driver use only)
Rules:
- Race Car & Time Trial Number List for NASA NE
- Driver & Car Information Form
- National Club Codes & Regulations
- 2019 Northeast Supplemental Rules
- 2020 Time Trial Rules
- National Time Trial Website
2022 Season Information: PLEASE register 1 WEEK PRIOR TO EVENT – In addition – You must file NEW 2022 Class Forms regardless of class. A copy of your Class Form (and dyno if applicable) will be handed into the TT Director Jose Suero by the Mandatory Morning Meeting. You are to keep the originals and keep it with you at the track. Dynos expire if they are > than 3 years old. Note all TT1-TT4 classes require an Avg WHP Dyno (see 9.2 of Rules). The classes will be as follows (please note ratio is not set in stone for lower classes):
- TTU – Unlimited
- TT1 – 6.00:1 Average HP
- TT2 – 8.00:1 Average HP
- TT3 – 10.00:1 Average HP
- TT4 – 12.00:1 Average HP
- TT5 – 14.00:1 Average HP (Points or Dyno Reclass)
- TT6 – 18.00:1 (Points or Dyno Reclass)
Annual License – Please renew your annual license ASAP so it is on the books and you receive your hard card prior to your first event. If you have a NASA Competition License you can submit this instead. At your first event of the year with this region you must have proof of a license.
Dynos – Dynos are valid for 3 years. A Dyno sheet must be accompanied by the Dyno Cert signed and attested by the Dyno operator and car owner. TT1-6 drivers – PLEASE read carefully the Average Dyno Horsepower calculations in section 9.2.
Dyno Re-class – All Re-classifications EXPIRED JANUARY 31, 2020. See section 8.4 for information on how to submit. Please cc: the Regional TT Director on this request.
The following information comes from an article in SpeedNews
Introduction to Time Trialing
If you’re thinking about graduating from HPDE to Time Trial (TT), we’ve put this feature together to give you an idea what to expect and help you determine what direction you might want to take. NASA TT provides a venue for spirited on-track competition with a high degree of safety and convenience. NASA TT allows qualified individuals to compete in a “best lap time” format in a prepared car in advanced level open-passing sessions and bridges the gap between NASA HPDE4 and wheel-to-wheel racing.
Class Description
NASA Time Trial is an automobile road course competition series focused on time trial-style competition and shall function as an advertising and marketing tool for the series sponsors, the independent sponsors of each team, as well as the official sanctioning body of the series.
Eligible Makes and Models
Virtually anything from Acura to Volkswagen in race or street trim is eligible to compete in NASA TT. There are the usual classes for internal-combustion-engine cars, and now EVs also have a Time Trial class in NASA.
Donor Prices and Availability
Because you can run anything in NASA TT, donor prices to build a new Time Trial car range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Daily driven street cars also are eligible to compete in TT. From shop floor to showroom floor, all cars are welcome.
Engine Specs
There are no engine specs, per se, but according to the rules, “the Adjusted Weight/Power Ratio for each vehicle will be calculated based on a simple competition weight to average chassis dynamometer (Dyno) horsepower ratio (Wt/Avg HP), followed by the adjustment of the resulting ratio by adding to, or subtracting from it, based on the list of “Modification Factors.” Competition Weight is defined as the minimum weight of the vehicle, with driver, any time that it competes in a qualifying session or race. Average horsepower calculation (Avg HP) is defined in Section 7.2.”
Weight
All vehicle weights will be measured to the tenth of a pound (xxxx.x), and then rounded off to the nearest pound for all calculations. Any weight ending in “.5” (xxxx.5x) NASA Super Touring (ST1-4 & SU) Rules 2020 v14.1 Page 13 of 28 will be rounded up or down to the benefit of the competitor. All horsepower measurements will be rounded off to the nearest whole number, and any number ending in “.50” (xx.50x) or less will be rounded down. Any “Adjusted Weight/Power Ratio” calculation ending in “.995” (xx.995) or greater will be rounded up to the benefit of the competitor.
TT1 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 6.00:1
TT2 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 8.00:1
TT3 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 10.00:1
TT4 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 12.00:1
TT5 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 14.00:1
TT6 = “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” equal to, or greater than, 18.00:1
Fuel Required
Nitrous oxide use is prohibited. Pre-existing tanks must be removed. Methanol/alcohol-water injection is permitted provided that the mixture does not exceed 50% alcohol by volume. Methanol is not permitted as a fuel. (See CCR 15.19 and 18.3)
Average Cost to Build Car
Because the cars in TT are so varied and because some of them are street driven, there really is no average cost. Figure $10,000 to $15,000 for a race-prepped TT5 or TT6 car. From there, prices rise with speed and horsepower.
Average Cost to Buy Built Car
You can buy anything from a used first-generation Spec Miata for $5,000 to a $250,000 prototype. Your budget will determine how fast and powerful a car you get.
Typical Modifications
That’s the beauty of Time Trial. You choose which modifications work best on the car you have chosen to build. The rules allow for freedom and creativity.
Cost Analysis
Average cost to run a weekend — $500 to $1,000
In NASA Time Trial competition, anything goes, from prototype racecars and converted production cars to the current crop of electric cars. Weight-to-horsepower ratios make for fair classes and lots of creative freedom to build the car you want.
Consumables Prices
Tires, size, brand, and prices
Because wheels vary widely with car choice, figure $192 for 205-50-15 Toyo Proxes RRs to $315 for a 275-35-18 Proxes RR.
Brakes, brands and prices
$150 to $250 depending on the car you choose.
Available contingencies
Hawk Performance, Maxxis Tires, Hoosier Tires, Hankook Tires, Spec Clutches, NISMO, Mazda Motorsports.
Factory Participation
NISMO, Mazda Motorsports.
Benefits
– Build whatever car you want
– Variety of competing cars
– Lots of creative freedom within the rules
– Lots of tire choices available
Challenges
– Competitive cars can get pricey
– Electric cars are coming on strong!