Rallying Information - David Higgins - Rally Driver
Rallying: How It Works
Find out more about each element of the exciting sport of rallying by clicking a tab.
Against the clock
Rallying is a flat out race over closed sections of real public roads by modified production vehicles. Competitors race one car at a time against the clock, usually at one-minute intervals. Competitors aim to finish the even with the lowest cumulative time.
Track conditions
Flat-out racing is done on sections of unpaved gravel or dirt roads referred to as 'special stages'. Between the racing stages the cars travel over public are rounds and are required to obey traffic laws. Events can be several hundred miles long and often last more than one day.
Teamwork
Each car has a driver and a co-driver. The driver's role is obvious. The co-driver navigates between special stages and then reads detailed route notes / pace notes warning the driver of upcoming hazards.
Mechanics
After several stages the cars come into a 'service park' where team mechanics will have anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes to make any necessary repairs.