Looking Forward: ’22 Buttonwillow Time Trials National Tour

Looking Forward: ’22 Buttonwillow Time Trials National Tour

It’s been nearly two months since the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials National Tour (TTNT) last saw action, so it’s time to crank things up again, this time on the West Coast in California’s Central Valley Oct. 29-30, 2022, at the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials National Tour at Buttonwillow Raceway Park Powered by Hagerty.

(Apologetic editor’s note: We would like to express regret for corny Halloween references sprinkled throughout the forthcoming story – we simply couldn’t resist.)

It’s almost frightening how much time on track participants will have that Halloween weekend at ‘Boo’ttonwillow. Plus, there will be plenty of additional on-track action to watch as an SCCA Divisional road race will also be taking place at the venue during the two days, hosted by Cal Club Region.

Drivers interested should click the button below and register today before the opportunity slips away like a vampire into the shadows. Those who just want to watch the fun are welcome, too, as there will be no gate charge for ‘spook’tators that weekend. And certainly, costumes are encouraged for those in the spirit.

 Tell Me More!

Screaming Around Buttonwillow

It was 1995 when Buttonwillow Raceway Park (BRP) hosted its first event at the 500-acre facility conveniently positioned alongside Interstate 5 midway between San Diego and San Francisco. BRP’s layout currently allows for 40 different configuration, but it will be configuration 13, run clockwise, which will again be used for TTNT this year. That means competitors will experience renowned turns such as Cotton Corners, Riverside, Phil Hill, the Esses, Sunrise, and Sunset, to name a few.

BRP’s configuration 13 layout is 2.68 miles in length, with portions that can be tricks or treats. Check out the video below for three helpful pointers on how to turn scary-fast laps around the course.

Monster Lap Records

This will be only the second time the Time Trials National Tour has stopped at BRP, last year being the inaugural visit. But since the layout this year is the same as last year’s, we’ve got TTNT course records that could become ghosts. Below are a couple notable lap times competitors will be aiming to exorcise during the Halloween weekend.

Unlimited 1: Ariel Salazar, 1:55.834 (2010 Mitsubishi Lancer)
Max 2: Peter Bollenbecker, 1:57.836 (2007 Subaru Impreza)

Sport 1: Guy Dreier, 1:59.522 (2016 BMW M4)
Tuner 4: Pelton Barnes, 2:03.092 (2015 Subaru BRZ)

A Thriller of a Weekend

Remember how we talked about the terrifying amount of time on track during this TTNT event? Well, here’s a breakdown of that track time.

Each TTNT experience group will have a 25-minute practice session early Saturday morning, then another 20 minutes of practice per experience group late Saturday morning. After lunch, the first 25-minute per group TrackAttack will take place before the evening’s Hagerty Social Dinner Party/Halloween costume fest. As always, that party is open to all, and there will be plenty of BBQ and fixins to go around – along with some trick-or-treat candy.

A TrackSprint will not be possible at BRP this year. Instead, TTNT entrants will get another 20-minute TrackAttack session per experience group early Sunday morning, followed by a 25-minute TrackAttack late Sunday morning for each experience group. Then there’s one final 25-minute TrackAttack per group on Sunday afternoon before the KONI Podium Celebration brings things to a close.

For a complete look at the weekend schedule, visit the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials National Tour at Buttonwillow Raceway Park Powered by Hagerty event webpage.

 Register Now!

Can’t Make This One?

The West Coast is a distance away for many, so remember that there is one more Time Trials National Tour after this one, taking place Nov. 4-6 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA. If that’s a more convenient venue, you’ll want to check out all of those details.

Can’t make it to the Buttonwillow event but still want to keep up with the action? Then follow TTNT developments from afar on Saturday and Sunday at timetrials.scca.com with Gregg Ginsberg calling the competition via a live audio broadcast.

Photo by Philip Royle / Staff