Brent Rutkowski - 1970 Camaro GT-1 and Maurice Tinkler - 1957 Corvette SPO at Talladega Time Trials, Talladega AL - Apr 2006

2006 SEDiv Time Trials Schedule
4-5 March	Gainesville Raceway Solo Trials	Gainesville, FL Central Florida Region
8-9 April	Carolina Motorsports Park Time Trials	Kershaw, SC Central Carolina Region
16-17 April	Talladega Grand Prix Solo I Time Trials / TT School	Talladega, AL Alabama/TVR Regions
27-28 May	Skelly Field Solo I Track Trials <cancelled>	Opp, Alabama Wiregrass Region
5-6 Aug	Blue Ridge Hillclimb www.blueridgehillclimb.org	Sparta, NC Central Carolina Region
30 Sep - 1 Oct	Crow Mountain Hill Climb www.crowmountainhillclimb.org	Scottsboro, AL Tennessee Valley Region
14-15 October	Nashville Superspeedway www.rivergate5speed.com	Lebanon, TN Chattanooga Region
28-29 October	Virginia International Raceway Track Trials	Danville, VA North Carolina Region
4-5 November	Roebling Road Solo I Track Trials	Savannah, GA Buccaneer Region

Event Type	General Description	Car Preparation/Attire	Licenses/Membership Requirements
Performance Driving Experience	Performance Driving Instruction in street vehicles (not a competition)	no car prep long sleeved shirt, Helmet	Race License not required Membership not required
Club Trials	Higher speeds with few hazards Street cars or race cars	no car prep long sleeved shirt, helmet	Time Trials Novice or better SCCA Membership
Track Trials	High speeds often on race tracks	Roll Bar, fire extinguisher, etc. Fire Suite, helmet	Time Trials Novice or better SCCA Membership
Hill Climbs	Timed runs up a mountain road	Roll Bar, fire extinguisher, etc. Fire Suite, helmet	Time Trials License or better SCCA Membership
See the Time Trials Rules for exact requirements. Cars prepared above stock may require more prep and different driver apparel <from Chattanooga Region website>.

The Solo 1 Series & Schedule
The Southeastern Division of SCCA has established one of the nations's strongest Time Trials / Hillclimb / Solo 1 Programs. With five to ten sanctioned events scheduled each year, the series offers competition at a wide variety of events. Traditional time trials solo 1's are run at some of the Southeast's most popular road racing facilities. Solo 1's are routinely held at Roebling Road, VIR, The Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, and Carolina Motorsports Park. There are even some solo 1's conducted on vacant airport courses. So, there is quite a variety in the type of events offered by The SCCA's Solo 1 Program.

Solo 1 Class Championships
Drivers earn points for each finishing position at SCCA sanctioned solo 1's. Based on the pre-established rules, annual class championships can be won. Awards are presented to each class champions. In addition, the top finishers in each class receive awards at most events. Solo 1 track records are kept for many tracks and classes.

Safety Specifications
Safety is a priority for the SCCA Solo 1 program. There are some specific safety requirements that must be met to be eligible for competition. For some classes, the solo 1 safety requirements are comparable to the SCCA's road racing requirements. But, the requirements vary. For example, a few classes allow cars to compete with an SCCA approved roll bar - most classes require a roll cage. (See The SCCA Solo 1 & 2 rulebook for more specific information.)

Licensing for Solo 1
Almost any SCCA member can easily obtain a Solo 1 license. Novices can participate at most events. However, there are some "faster" tracks and hillclimbs that require drivers to have a full solo 1 license. A full solo 1 license can be earned by safely competing at three solo 1's as a novice - or, by attending a driving school. Like an SCCA road race license, participation is necessary to maintain the license. A license must be renewed each year. Application forms to obtain a license are very simple, and are available from the SCCA's national office. Members that have an up to date road racing license are always eligible to compete at all solo 1's.

Competition Classing
Currently, there are almost 50 SE Divisional Solo 1 classes. There are classes for formula cars, sports racers, GT racers, IT cars, Showroom Stock cars, and many others. As long as a car meets the SCCA's safety requirements for Solo 1, there is likely a class for the car. Everyone can find a competitive class.

Speeds
The Solo 1 cars reach speeds that are comparable to the speeds reached at SCCA sanctioned road races. At Roebling Road, the fastest solo 1 cars reach speeds over 130 mph. The high speeds justify the safety equipment requirements. However, cars rarely get near each other while on the track. So, the risk of damage due to car-to-car contact is very low. At a Solo 1, a driver can concentrate (on the track's line) without worrying about traffic. Solo 1 offers participants many excellent opportunities to learn some of the nation's best tracks.

Solo 1 Event Format
During a typical solo 1 session, two or three cars are spread around a track. Spins and "catches" do happen, but are rare. Ideally, a driver is allowed to make several laps without encountering any traffic. A re-run is granted to any driver that "catches" another competitor while on the track. Re-runs are also given to a driver that is slowed due to another competitor's acts. Re-runs are not given to a driver that spins, or for a driver who experiences mechanical troubles during his or her run session.

Training for Road Racers
The SE Div Solo 1Series offers excellent training for future SCCA road racers. The solo 1 program allows a driver to become aquatinted with many of the Southeast's most popular road racing facilities. In addition, Solo 1 helps drivers "learn the fastest line", and become familiar with road racing speeds. But, don't think that all solo 1 drivers are training to become road racers. Many very fast drivers simply enjoy the challenges the events offer and have become regulars.