If you were on the fence about registering for the Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials National Tour Powered by Hagerty (TTNT) and Track Event (TE) at VIRginia International Raceway on March 9-10, 2024, the decision has likely been made for you.
SCCA’s TTNT and TE at VIR is fully booked – although there is a waitlist you can get on, which for locals, is a fantastic option. For the rest, perhaps direct your TTNT or TE driving intentions to the upcoming TTNT and TE at Road America, happening April 13-14 in Wisconsin, or the May 18-19 TTNT and TE NCM Motorsports Park blowout in Kentucky.
Join us Anyway
Even though the VIR event is sold out at a circuit often referred to as “Heaven on Earth,” that doesn’t mean you can’t come out and enjoy the festivities. Included on the schedule is a Saturday car show hosted by Driver Motorsports, which you might know for its SEMA 2022 award-winning Nissan R32 GTR.
There’s no better way to spend a weekend than roaming the gorgeous grounds of VIR while roaring machines whiz by on course. Chat with other automotive fanatics, take in the car show, and be part of the whole scene by purchasing a $20 spectator ticket at the VIR entry gate.
Those who want to join the TTNT and TE waitlist for VIR should click the link below for quick access to the event webpage.
Study Time
VIR originally opened in 1957 as one of the country’s first permanent road racing circuits. Its 3.27-mile track has remained almost exactly the same for years, with the only change being widening some places to offer safer run-off room.
The first official event at VIR was an SCCA race that attracted stars like Carroll Shelby, Carl Haas, Bob Holbert, and Augie Pabst. In recent history, VIR hosted the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® the last two years.
All of that is to say, if you’re lucky enough to be on track during this TTNT and TE weekend, you should do your homework first. Luckily, we did some of it for you by finding this in-car video by Justin Peachy:
Tracking Times in Virginia
Recognized as one of Car and Driver magazine’s top six road courses in the nation, VIR is an SCCA fixture and favorite amongst drivers. Its high-speed straights, challenging turns, uphill Esses, and sharp elevation changes have earned the venue international acclaim and rave reviews.
TTNT has included VIR on its schedule a few times before, meaning there are top times to shoot for. A database of lap times for tracks visited by TTNT over the years can be found at the Track Records and Personal Bests webpage. Below are some lap times to keep in mind during the weekend at VIR.
Unlimited 1: 1:53.103, Kyle Carrick, 2015 Nissan GT-R
Max 1: 1:57.113, Justin Peachey, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Sport 1: 2:02.680, Cody Hunt, 2017 Chevrolet Corvette
Tuner 1: 2:05.084, Christopher Bickford, 2019 Chevrolet Camaro
For the March 9-10 weekend, follow VIR lap times all weekend by visiting the Time Trials Live page for up-to-the second timing.
VIR Action Plan
Saturday, March 9, Track Event drivers will see four 20-minute sessions on course. TTNT competitors will open their day with two 20-minute practice sessions. The afternoon will then see the first scored 20-minute TrackAttack segment for TTNT drivers, followed by another 20-minute session for all TTNT run groups to improve on previous efforts.
Once the track goes quiet Saturday evening, it’s time for the Hagerty Social Dinner Party. There, talk with others to confirm how obviously awesome you are, how you can do better, and see who needs help working on cars overnight.
Sunday, March 10, has Track Event drivers enjoying the VIR road course four times during the day at 20 minutes a piece. TTNT’s challengers have two more 20-minute sessions Sunday morning to post a recorded fast time, then two more 20-minute sessions in the afternoon to log one final fantastic lap for scoring.
TTNT results will then be added together from TrackAttack sessions one, two, and three to decide class winners, which will be announced during the KONI Podium Celebration at day’s end.
Check out the entire TTNT and TE VIR event schedule by clicking the button below.
Photo by Tradd Slayton
