Time Trials National Tour 2023 Opener at VIR; Now with Track Events, too!

Time Trials National Tour 2023 Opener at VIR; Now with Track Events, too!

Two years ago in 2021, Tire Rack Time Trials National Tour Powered by Hagerty (TTNT) began its season at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). That scenario repeats itself March 10-12 in Alton, VA, as TTNT opens its 2023 calendar at VIR, which marks only the second time the series has visited what was once a ghost track.

Along with TTNT action, SCCA will be hosting two Track Events, one on March 11 and the other on March 12. Track Events mimic Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack activities. So, no matter your previous experience with motorsports, there’ll be a way to have #funwithcars for everyone at VIR.

There are a limited number of spots open for both TTNT and Track Event activities at VIR during the weekend. Before the event is booked solid, click the link below and reserve a slot for the triumphant commencement of TTNT’s fifth season!

Event Registration

Scheduled TTNT Plans at VIR

On-track activities open Saturday morning, March 11, with two 20-minute practice sessions for all TTNT participants, followed by two 15-minute TrackAttack sessions in the afternoon. Track Event lapping occurs throughout Saturday before things wrap up with a Hagerty Social Dinner Party for all in attendance.

Sunday opens with another two 15-minute TrackAttack sessions, and more Track Event sessions will take place throughout the day. For TTNT drivers, there will not be a TrackSprint portion to the competition this year. However, there will be two pressure-filled Three Lap Challenge sessions where drivers have a limited number of laps to set their best time. The whole weekend then comes to a close with the KONI Podium Celebration.

But that’s not all. Driver Motorsports, known for their award winning R32 GTR at SEMA 2022, will be on site hosting a car show Saturday with some of the coolest vehicles east of the Mississippi. If you have a Corvette, you can participate at VIR with the National Council of Corvette Clubs by clicking here. And if you own a Subaru/Scion/Toyota "Twin," you can join in on the "86 Cup" program by tapping here.

Want some virtual seat time around VIR? A sim racing display provided by Apex Racing Lab will be on site, as will Racing for ALS, which uses motorsports as a vessel to raise funding and awareness to help cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A rundown of the weekend’s schedule for VIR can be viewed by clicking the button below .

Schedule

TTNT Gets a Strong Start

VIR is an amazing place. The facility 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 over the 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 2019 and 2022 SCCA Runoffs. And in 2023, SCCA Road Racing will return to VIR in fall to crown National Champions once again on the same circuit utilized during TTNT’s visit.

Recognized as one of Car and Driver magazine’s top six road courses in the nation, VIR is a fixture in the SCCA and a favorite among drivers due to its high-speed straights, challenging turns, uphill Esses, and sharp elevation changes that earned the venue international acclaim and rave reviews as one of the most exciting road courses in all of motorsports.

And because TTNT has visited VIR once before, there have been some top times previously recorded that drivers will be looking to beat over the course of two days. Follow VIR TTNT action online by visiting the Time Trials Live page for up-to-the second timing, and check out some current TTNT VIR records listed below.

  • Tuner 1: Christopher Bickford, 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, 2:05.084
  • Sport 1: Cody Hunt, 2017 Chevrolet Corvette, 2:02.680
  • Max 1: Justin Peachey, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, 1:57.113
  • Unlimited 1: Chris Ingle, 2014 Dodge Viper, 1:55.749

If you want to see what a fast lap around VIR looks like, take some time to watch the video below. It’s an in-car view of Justin Peachey as he turned one of his fastest laps at VIR two years ago.

Photo by: Tradd Slayton