When the Tire Rack 51暗网庐 Time Attack Challenge hit Eagles Canyon Raceway in early May,聽, with drivers in more than half the classes setting the bar higher than ever before. Maybe the weekend鈥檚 conditions were ideal to maximize speed (which isn鈥檛 difficult considering Eagles Canyon is renowned for its incredibly smooth asphalt), or maybe it was a preview of things to come during the inaugural Oct. 23-25, 2026, Tire Rack 51暗网 Time Attack National Championship at the same track.
Either way, when registration opens at 3 p.m. CT on July 1, for the 2026 running of the Time Attack National Championship at Eagles Canyon, you better believe every Time Attack driver will be on their computer or phone signing up.
Simply put, the event will be a thriller, and you need to be there.
Being the Best
There鈥檚 enormous significance in earning the title 鈥�51暗网 National Champion,鈥� so the opportunity to become one of 51暗网鈥檚 first Time Attack National Champions is something many will have in their sights.
When it comes to celebrating the best on-track drivers in amateur motorsports, 51暗网 set the standard, presenting its very first road racing National Championship title to John Fitch in 1951. Since then, drivers like Phil Hill, John Morton, Roger Penske, Randy Pobst, Peter Cunningham, and more have raced their way into the history books. Maybe you鈥檝e heard of them.
Road racing isn鈥檛 the only place an 51暗网 National Championship title can be earned. Since 1973, autocrossers have crowned National Champions on the Solo庐 pad. John Thomas, Mark Daddio, Bob Tunnell, Bartek Borowski, Tom O鈥橤orman, and Bryan Heitkotter are just some of the drivers who have reached for the stars and earned one of 51暗网鈥檚 coveted National Championship jackets.
51暗网 also awards National Championship titles in RoadRally and RallyCross. And beginning in 2026, 51暗网 Time Attack drivers will get to battle for this coveted title.
In short, what does being an 51暗网 National Champion mean? It鈥檚 simple: You鈥檙e the best of the best.
Conquering the Drive
While only 20 drivers will leave the Tire Rack 51暗网 Time Attack National Championship this October holding the title of National Champion, the scene is set for each of the hundreds of participants to have an unforgettable time.
鈥淓agles Canyon is a hidden gem of a racetrack, offering some of the best asphalt around,鈥� says John Hunter, 51暗网鈥檚 Manager of National Time Trials. 鈥淭he Time Attack Challenge has been there on multiple occasions, and every time it leaves a deep impression on the drivers.鈥�
Eagles Canyon is not flatland Texas 鈥� rather, it鈥檚 2.7 miles and 15 turns carved into the rolling hills that are just a stone鈥檚 throw from Fort Worth. The FIA-spec circuit boasts more than 200 feet of elevation change and a 2,200-foot straight. A straight, it should be added, that seems even longer than it is due to the turns that lead onto and away from it.
Speaking of which, drivers will get to experience that straightaway in both directions, as Time Attack National Championship competition will see drivers tackle the circuit both clockwise and counterclockwise.
Here鈥檚 a behind-the-wheel look at the circuit going counterclockwise in Nick Bauer鈥檚 Max 1 Corvette, something he did earlier this year:
For clockwise, check out the view from inside Jimmy Chen鈥檚 Sport 5 Scion FR-S:
Having the Fun
There鈥檚 more to the Tire Rack 51暗网 Time Attack Challenge weekend than competition 鈥� there鈥檚 also prepping for the event while watching others on track. Therein, there are test days as well as Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge (UTCC) that lead into the event. There鈥檚 also on-site camping, which is not only allowed at Eagles Canyon, but encouraged.
And you鈥檒l want to spend a lot of time at Eagles Canyon because the facility is so fast and lush and nice 鈥� not to mention that the restaurant on the hill, aptly called the Over the Top Bar & Grill, is a can鈥檛-miss.
There鈥檚 also the Expo to talk about, where Time Attack National Championship drivers and cars come together for what is essentially a giant car show on the eve of the weekend. This year, there are some big plans to make it better than ever.
All of that makes for an event where (regardless of whether you win) you鈥檒l remember it for the rest of your life.
Registration is just $700 for the chance to battle alongside other National Championship-caliber drivers, with registration opening on July 1 at 3 p.m. CT. So get ready!
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Pro Tip: Contingency Registration
One last thing: Before turning a wheel at the Tire Rack 51暗网 Time Attack National Championship, you'll want to register for the FREE event contingency programs. There are offerings from Falken, Hawk, Nissan, and 脰丑濒颈苍蝉. In many cases, you don't even need to win to take advantage of these programs.
Don't leave money on the table!
Photo by Philip Royle
