The 2024 SCCA Rocky Mountain Time Trials season kicked off this year at LaJunta Raceway in LaJunta, Colorado. With new classing similar to NASA TT, the racing was VERY close and competitive, RMTT really nailed the classing this season as you’ll see in the results of the weekend trials.
The weekend began with a steady rain on Saturday and all classes first session were run in the rain, by the second session the rain had stopped and the track dried substantially, after changing tires for the third time and being warned not to jinx the track by putting on the RC1’s again, the third session was the fastest overall of the day. No real records were set and my time was in the 1:04’s, not stellar.
Sunday was by far a better day, ambient temperature for session 1 was at 55F and the track was DRY! Both run groups ran much faster and I was down to a 1:01. The second session was much of the same, except, we all took the gloves off and we’re running for that sub 1:00 time!
Competition in session 2 was epic, track conditions were perfect and the times reflected the fact that not only was the classing spot on, but there are some very talented drivers competing this season! Overall in Production C class, the difference between second and tenth was less than ONE second! I ended up not achieving my weekend goal of sub 1:00 running a 1:00.09, that close.. and the difference between me finishing 4th and 9th (where I finished) was a slight lift into turn 2 that lost me about .4 seconds on exit. Yes, it was that close.
Sessions 3 and 4 were relatively uneventful other than me almost smacking the turn 7 wall and cording my left front tire in session 4. By the end of the day , the track had lost all it’s grip and was pretty slow.
The high HP cars were smoking fast this year with 2 drivers in Production E running 52.xx seconds.
Overall a VERY good weekend, and though I didn’t finish where I wanted, I learned a lot and gathered a LOT of data on the car and can apply that to the October race. Finishing mid pack is not where i want to stay.
Next race is Mat 11th at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain Colorado, hope to see you there!
