Time Trials Nationals Come to Portland

Portland played host to event #4 for the SCCA Time Trials National Tour.

Over 50 drivers took turns circulating the 1.967 miles track in Portland putting both man and machine to the test.

With SCCA kicking off the first year of the National Tour, the club is looking to infuse new blood into its program.

With already successful events at Thunder Hill in Cali, Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Pennsylvania, and Carolina Motorsports Park in South Carolina, the tour has already proven to have legs.

The SCCA National Tour program features multiple track sessions, along with a Time Attack section.
Drivers saw 2 practice sessions on Saturday morning, followed by 2 timed sessions Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the drivers started with the Time Attack session, which showcased turns 4-8 in a segmented session.

They then moved on to the afternoon of 2 more full track sessions to finish off the weekend.

With 5 different prep levels, drivers chose between Sport, Turner, Prepped, Max, and Unlimited categories to participate in.

Each category saw different classes based on car configurations. With all these class options, they are sure to have a class for you!

Max 1 saw two of the most unique race rigs to the track. Kevin Phillips in a 1991 Chevy S10 with LS power was able to wrestle away the win from Sean Fogli in a 1983 Volvo 242, also with a LLS swap.

Both vehicles were both beautiful, and well put together. And you have never heard a Volvo sound so sweet!!

Prepped witnessed Oregon region Autocrosser john Tritsch take home gold as he put his V6 engine swapped 1993 Toyota MR2 on the top step. Jared Floyd in a 95 M3, Taylor Wargo in an 04 G35, and Trevor McDermott in a 95 M3 round out the class.

Sport 1 was a battle of sheer muscle with Waylon Goebel leading the way in a 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1. With local autocross legend, Tom Kotzian taking runner up.

Sport 2 was no less of a battle and it was 2 more autocrossers leading the way. Jason Hicks in his 2017 Mustang was able to keep Dan Bullis’s C5 Corvette at bay all weekend long.

Sport 3 saw the largest field of drivers as 10 racers chased the top spot on the podium.

In the end, it was local Spec Miata racer Tim Ferrick showing the way in his 2018 Civic Type R. Justin Moore in his 08 Cayman, and Annie Gill in her 2018 Type R rounded out the podium.

Looking at the results from Tuner 3, the M3 was the car of choice composing 4 of the 6 cars in class. But in the end, it was Ryan Baldwin in a beautiful Black Audi TT who drove great all weekend long to edge out Andrew Lee in his Mustang to take the win.

Tuner 4 was the second largest class, with the cars ranging from Honda S200s, to Mazda Miatas, and a few Subaru BRZs mixed in for fun. But it was a Cali racer, Tony Rodriguez, putting on a show in his Red S2000. Tony set blistering laps all weekend long to hold off stiff competition.

Unlimited 2 saw the largest mix of cars take to the circuit as a 350Z, Lotus 7, Mazda 3, a VW Corrado, and 2 Mazda Miata’s did battle. Dennis Thoney in a beautifully prepped 350Z was able to hold off the pack in a stout class of cars.

Top overall time of the weekend went to Earl Zimmermann in his Chevy Camaro ZL1 with a combined time of 3:29.171, Dennis Thoney was second fastest overall with a 3:31.438, and Waylon Goebel third sporting a 3:33.807.

Fantastic action, beautiful weather, and some great racers made for a tremendous weekend of racing. If you have not tried A Time Trial, you should soon!!

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