Rallying is one of the simplest pleasures you can have with your British sports car, or any favorite automobile.
While you can rally solo, it's a lot easier and more fun when you're accompanied by a navigator. You'll be traveling on public roads at the speed limit - remember, it's not a race.
The challenge is to drive on time — not early or late. Each team needs a watch which can be set to match rally time; something to write on and write with, a calculator [helpful] and a working speedometer/odometer. It's useful to know the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer, too, but not essential.
Cars start at timed intervals. The first section of the rally is called the odometer check leg and allows you to compare your mileage to the rallymasters'. If you have a trip odometer in your car you can zero it at the start. You will have a specified amount of time to reach the end of the odometer check leg which is called the Official Mileage Point. Wait there until the given time has elapsed, then leave, following the directions given and travel at the specified speed. Timing controls, or checkpoints, will be found at various locations along the route. After you pass the checkpoint sign and the timing car, stop safely off the road and go back to the timing car to get your time and any other special instructions.
The rallymaster controls an accurate clock that determines the "control time" which determines the exact moment you should arrive at a checkpoint. Your score is the difference between the predicted time and your actual time of arrival. You receive points whether you are early or late.
Precision timing is the key in a rally. If you are late at one control, you can not make up for it by being early at the next. The score for each leg is separate. Scores for all legs are totaled and the lowest score wins.
Regardless of whether you get very good scores, or just scores, rallying is a lot of fun if you like to spend time in your car, see some scenery and spend time with automotive enthusiasts. Remember - no experience required!
|
|