What is Performance or Stage Rally?

Performance Rallying has long been a favorite form of motor sport in Europe, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. In these places, rallies often draw crowds in the tens of thousands. Unlike conventional racing, rallies are held primarily on forest access roads. These roads consist of everything from loose gravel to mud or snow and ice. The conditions can dictate speeds from well over 200 km/h to as low as 30 km/h. Also, unlike racing, the route remains unknown to the driver until it is read at speed by the CO-driver (navigator). At every moment, the car, driver and CO-driver must be ready for whatever may be around the next curve! Performance Rallying displays a unique combination of driver skill, car performance, strategy, endurance and pure guts.

The Performance Rally format consists of two parts: Special Stages and Transit Sections. The Special Stages are the competitive sections of the route and are closed to public traffic during the event. These are flat-out runs against the clock, at speeds that the average motorist would never imagine possible. The Transit Sections are routes between Stages, in which the teams must obey all traffic laws. Ample time is provided to allow teams to arrive at the start of the next Stage without speeding, and penalties are assessed for arriving too early or too late. Any moving violation in a transit section is grounds for disqualification. The accumulation of times from the Special Stages and transit penalties makes up the final score and helps to determine the winner.

Performance Rally vehicles require certain safety equipment to protect the crew. This includes a full roll cage, with door bars and triangulation, fire extinguishers and special seat belts. The crew must wear approved fireproof suits and helmets, and must hold a St. John Ambulance First Aid certificate. All of this equipment is scrutinized by event officials before the start of each event.

Rally Racing 101

Dec 2000 - The beginning basics. The expert tips. And everything in between. Rally Racing 101: A Performance Rally Workshop that taught people about performance rallying and how to get involved in the sport.

The workshop was led by Patrick Richard, a man heavily involved in rallying. Richard captured the Production GT driver's title in the 2000 Subaru Canadian Rally Championship, the U.S-based SCCA ProRally Championship and the North American Rally Cup. As well, his team, Vancouver-based team Rocket Rally Racing, helped both Subaru Canada and Subaru of America clinch the manufacturer's championships in Production GT. In 2002, Pat was the Subaru Canada Rally Champion.

"There's a lot to learn about rallying, and that can be intimidating. I know that a workshop like this would have helped me, so I thought I could do one to help others. It's a great sport, and this short workshop will show people how to get started in it," says Richard.

With the help of videos, a PowerPoint presentation and a question-and-answer period, Richard explained:

• The basics of performance rallying
• Driver and co-driver tasks
• Car preparation tips
• Different ways to be involved in the sport in British Columbia
• How to afford to rally (without mortgaging your home!)
  

What is Navigational or Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) Rally?

Would you like to be in competition for a whole day with minimal time spent in preparation and only normal wear and tear on your car?..then Navigational rallying is for you! It's likely the least expensive form of amateur motorsport.

Navigational Rallying has been practiced in Canada since the early 1950's, and tests both driver and navigator. Instead of running flat-out, as in a performance rally, navigational events use the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) formula. In a TSD section, a particular average speed is listed and the teams must drive as close as possible to that speed. Checkpoints are placed at unknown locations in the TSD section and teams are penalized for passing them early or late. Average speeds are always within posted speed limits, and the road is not closed to the public, so teams must obey all traffic laws. The route usually follows roads that are similar to those used in performance rallies: narrow winding forestry roads, ranch roads and other less-traveled roads. Route finding is generally not difficult, but the navigator has a lot of work to do to keep the driver on time.