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Novice or Nervous: At the Outcone

Rally School

Interested, but not sure how to get started at road rally? One of the best ways is to attend a Rally School.

Initial success at road rallying has more to do with understanding the concepts and learning the rules of the game than it does about driving the vehicle. (Well, okay… Later on, after you've learned how to play the game, winning will depend on how well you can drive and stay on time. But that comes later, much later.)

Like any course of study, the more you research and read, the more knowledgeable on the subject you'll become.

The Rally Team

Once you've decided to run a road rally, you'll need a partner and a vehicle. Who will drive? Who will navigate? Should your spouse be your partner? Do you tend to get car sick when reading in the car? How do you react to stress? Can you quickly build consensus in a crisis? Can you maintain effective communication amid chaos?

"Like I said, four point three miles!" Communication is key to team success.

As in any good marriage, a driver / navigator relationship improves with effort, respect, and courtesy .

Vehicle and equipment

Prepare your vehicle - Fill the car with gas and oil. Check the tires. Clean the windows and headlights. The vehicle must be street legal and insured. Expect some sort of tech inspection to verify this.

Gather your equipment - The navigator will need a clipboard, some writing utensils, a small roll of masking tape, a flashlight for reading inside the car at night, and a watch that tells time to the second. Don't set the watch yet, wait until you get there.

At the Start

Be early – Try to arrive at the start location a few minutes prior to the opening of registration as there will be a lot to do to get ready before your out time actually arrives.

Register for the event - Your vehicle may be required to pass a technical inspection to verify safety.

Set your watch - Official time should be available at registration.  Click here for more information on official time.

Read the rules - The event General Instructions contain the basic rules by which the event will be conducted.  Be sure to read the glossary terms! (Try to obtain and review the rules before the day of the event.)

Examine the route instructions - Read through the route instructions as much as your remaining time permits.

Attend the contestants meeting - The meeting that is occasionally conducted just prior to first car out will cover topics the organizers feel are important, from an overview of the event to actual route instruction and course changes  You will want to pay attention.

Drive to the out marker - Arrive one minute before your start time. If your car has a trip odometer, set it to zero.  Depart at your out time by following the route instructions.

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