Car Rallies
Insider Info
Looking for a way to enjoy the driving experience without getting tickets
or violating traffic laws? Driving enthusiasts all over the world have fun
and test their abilities at road rallies.
Rallies are amateur events where groups of drivers compete for points as
they travel a set route. If you have a car, a friend to navigate, and an afternoon
to watch the scenery pass by, fasten your seat-belt and get ready to roll.
Road rallies may be the recreation of your dreams.
There are three types of rally events. Only one, Pro Rally, involves a
flat-out race over closed sections of rural roads using specially built or
purchased cars. In these competitions, drivers race one car at a time against
the clock. These events are usually several hundred miles long and can last
several days. Pro Rally racers must be trained and licensed.
The more common rallies, the tour rally and course rally, aren't about
racing. They are amateur events known as time-speed-distance rallies. Drivers
work in teams to complete a course according to specific directions and speeds
of travel.
In a tour rally, drivers follow a route using straightforward directions
that never attempt to lead contestants off course. A course rally, on the
other hand, involves a logic component. Drivers have to determine where the
course goes as well as follow the route at an assigned speed.
"T-S-D rallies would be great for a math class," says Steven Schlossman.
He has been participating in rallies for a few years now. "There are lots
of calculations to be done in these events."
Tour and course rallies are usually held on rural or quiet back roads.
Participants drive their own regular automobiles. Since drivers observe speed
limits and try to beat scores rather than other cars, these rallies are among
the safest auto sports. "In our rallies, just getting there is a thing to
be proud of," says Terry Muir. He is a member of a car club.
A typical rally happens in six phases. In the starting phase, contestants
first meet in a designated location. This is usually a restaurant or public
parking lot. Each car carries a driver and navigator.
Teams are given a set of course directions that were designed in advance
by a "rally master." Depending on the type of rally, the rally master may
or may not include "traps" -- driving instructions that are easily misinterpreted.
After the starting phase, drivers complete an odometer calibration. This
allows each team to correlate their car's odometer with that of the rally
master. That's the device that keeps track of the distance the car has traveled.
After making sure the odometers are in synch, the cars begin the course
at one-minute intervals. Using the instructions of the rally master, teams
attempt to travel the correct route at the correct speeds and arrive at "checkpoints"
or "controls" precisely on time. Participants are scored by how closely to
the correct time they arrive at each checkpoint.
Most rallyists use equipment to help them keep the proper speed. They can
use a calculator and tables showing the time it takes to travel distances
at different speeds. They also use a rally wheel (a circular slide rule designed
for rally racing), odometers that measure to an accuracy of 0.01 miles, or
rally computers.
Some contestants don't use any equipment. They simply rely on intuition
and common sense to judge their speed.
While navigating the course, drivers stop at designated checkpoints. The
checkpoint crew writes the arrival and assigned departure time of each car
on a score sheet. A car's score is the difference between when it should have
arrived at the checkpoint and when it actually did arrive. Contestants are
penalized one point for every minute they arrive at a checkpoint early or
late.
At each checkpoint, the crew also gives drivers leg slips -- instructions
for the next leg of the rally. Cars wait until a specified amount of time
has elapsed. Then they hit the road again, following the directions they were
given and traveling at specific speeds.
Rallying is a contest of precision. Drivers can't make up for a late arrival
on one leg by coming in early at the next checkpoint. The score for each leg
of the rally is separate and is totaled at the end. The rally winners will
be the drivers who finish the course with the lowest point score.
A rally usually finishes at a restaurant in the vicinity of the starting
point. Participants meet to calculate scores, determine winners, and discuss
the day's course over a meal.
Winners in road rallies may receive trophies or other prizes. Because Pro
Rally races involve risk and a high level of skill, professional racers may
win cash prizes. They may also receive awards from car companies for placing
in a race while displaying that company's decals. Pro Rally racers who win
often can supplement their regular incomes with their winnings. However, very
few teams make a living racing.
Most rallies are just for fun, or to benefit a good cause. "My club has
held 'gimmick rallies,' which are like scavenger hunts," says Schlossman.
"We've had Civil War gimmick rallies where participants had to drive and pick
up clues relating to the Civil War.
"There is also something called a 'poker run,' which motorcycle clubs seem
to do frequently. In these events, contestants ride from point to point and
pick up a playing card at each stop. The rider with the best hand wins. Generally,
this sort of event is held for charity."
Getting Started
Rallying doesn't require any special equipment. Anyone of legal driving
age with a properly insured and inspected vehicle can participate.
There aren't any hard statistics about how many people are rallying enthusiasts,
but there are hundreds of rally clubs around the world. The Sports Car Club
of America alone has 55,000 members. It holds over 2,000 amateur and professional
events every year.
It's safe to say anyone can find a fellow rally fan in his or her local
area. International, national and regional clubs can all provide good information
to novices and tell you about upcoming events.
"I got started when my boss asked if I would help at a timing checkpoint
at a rally he was involved in," says Terry Arvidson. He is a veteran rallyist
and president of the Washington Rally Club.
"After that, my boss and I started a rally club where I work. I found a
partner there and we ran a series of beginner rallies. Then I helped pre-check
a rally with a very experienced rallyist. I enjoyed that and learned a lot.
Then I was hooked! For the past 24 years, I've competed in rallies, worked
them, designed them and administered them."
Unlike some hobbies, it's easy for beginners to get involved in rallies.
Experienced contestants are more than willing to help novices get rolling.
"Experienced rallyists are very happy to talk to new folks and help them
develop a love for the sport. The best way to get started is to run a beginners'
rally -- one that doesn't have any traps in it," says Arvidson.
"When you get to the start, ask as many questions as you need to until
you feel comfortable as to what you're going to be doing in the car. After
the rally, ask more questions until you understand everything you did on the
course -- and maybe what you should have done instead! After you've run your
first rally, don't get discouraged if you have a high score. The point is
to have fun, enjoy the roads and meet new friends."
Associations
Northwest Rally Council
Internet
:
http://www.nwrally.com/
Publications
The Road Rally Handbook,
by
Clint Goss
AutoWeek
An online magazine
Internet
:
http://www.autoweek.com
Links
Sports Car Club of America
Lots of information on both road rally and Pro Rally racing
Rally Central
Advice on getting started, links to schools and associations
and an extensive list of publications
Washington, D.C., Sport Car Club of America
A regional club site with pictures and information
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