What is a PDX or Time Trial?
2005 brought a new participation discipline to SCCA members called Time Trials (previously disguised as Solo1). These are high speed driving events that are held either on a Road Racing or closed road course (Hill Climb). Time Trials consists of 4 levels of training and/or competition – Performance Driving eXperience (PDX), Club Trials, Track Trials & Hillclimb.
The following information was paraphrased from the Time Trials rules.
Level 1 – PDX; Level 1 events are strictly non-competitive and are based on in-car and classroom instruction and practice of performance driving and car handling. You will learn about and practice performance driving and car handling. You learn at your own pace with the fun factor our main objective. Other than approved helmets, seat belts and a seat for the instructor, no other safety gear is required, though you will be required to wear long sleeve shirts and pants (so you can sweat just like a race care driver)! Some convertible cars do require a roll bar. A standard pre-event safety inspection by a qualified mechanical shop or proof of Annual Club Racing or Time Trials Technical Inspection, assures that your car is ready for the track. All drivers are provided with a Participation Log that is utilized by their instructor(s) to provide comments in, and is returned to the entrant at the end of the event. The Participation Log is presented by the driver in advanced levels to assist in placing the entrant in the proper run group. In the Washington DC Region program, we run PDX events on the Shenandoah Circuit and Main circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park.
Level 2 – Club Trials; When you’re ready to race against the clock, Club Trials is ready for you. The second level of the program, Club Trials builds on the instruction you received in the PDX while allowing drivers their first chance at competing against the clock. Competition classes are formed (with both street and fully-prepared race cars), and winners are decided by the fastest time around the course. Our event format is NOT wheel-to-wheel - a very limited number of cars are on-course at any time, and passing is prohibited. Club Trials is your first real taste of motorsports competition and is the perfect appetizer before you move to Track Trials and Hill Climbs, the main courses of the Time Trials program. In the Washington DC Region program, we run Club Trials on the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park.
Level 3 - Track Trials; Street cars no longer cut it at Track Trials. Only cars prepared for Road Racing or Solo events are allowed as speeds and intensity levels are higher. The tier-three program offers closed-course track time, with competitions again decided by fastest time around the course. Like Club Trials, competition time is run with no-passing and limited numbers of cars on track to ensure safety and "clear air" for all competitors. The DC Region runs Track Trials on the Summit Point Main circuit.
Level 4- Hillclimb; Hill Climbs are the fourth and top level of the Time Trials program. There are no more fences and no more grandstands. Full safety gear is mandatory as it’s just you, your car, and a mountain road. Hill Climb events are run on paved mountain roads over short distances, and in the true spirit of racing, fast time wins. WDCR does not currently produce Hill Climb events, but check the Hill Climb tab on the left for information on our nearby regional friends who do.
You can also volunteer to help work these events, instruct (with the proper credentials) or participate as a driver. We strongly recommend that all drivers, instructors and volunteer workers read and absorb the Time Trials Rules to be fully prepared to participate in any position for this exciting opportunity to experience motorsports in a new and rewarding way. More information can be found on the National web-site. A good starting point is the National Time Trials page found at the SCCA web site. We look forward to your participation in these excellent instructional and competition events.