RALLYING: A SPORT LIKE NO OTHER!
There are no ovals,
pace cars or rain delays. Rally racing features real cars racing
against the clock on closed-off sections of real roads that are
usually unpaved and unforgiving. Events can last several days and
cover hundreds of miles through rain, snow, day or night. This extreme
test of skill, speed and endurance is what makes rally racing the
world’s premiere and most exciting motor sport, one that is
quickly growing in North America.
DRIVERS
Insiders and even
casual fans consider rally drivers to be the best
all around drivers on the planet. They must master
every road surface and every weather condition while
possessing the endurance and stamina needed to make
it through long hours and hundreds of miles. As the
old saying goes, "Circuit racers see 10 turns 1000
times while rally drivers see 1000 turns 1 time!"
CO-DRIVERS
The key to rally
drivers’ success are their co-drivers. Rally drivers
cannot practice the course and must rely on their navigators
(or co-driver) to survive. The co-driver uses a computerized
odometer along with a supplied route book to communicate
to the driver what lies ahead on the road. The route
book describes in detail the road ahead and includes
warnings for hazards such as cliffs, trees and junctions.
Rally drivers determine what speed and angle to enter
each turn or crest in the road by listening to their
co-drivers' constant instructions.
EVENTS
Gravel
logging roads, mountain passes, well groomed forest roads - these are
what make up the tracks for rally drivers. They are temporarily
closed, actual public roads on which rally drivers can go flat
out. With nine events held across the country, the Rally America
Championship has a mix of everything from ice and snow in Michigan to
super fast, smooth gravel in Pennsylvania. A typical Rally America
Championship event will last two days and feature over 250 miles of
roads split up into competitive stages and transit sections. The
competitive stages, or “special stages” are where the
action lies; these are timed sprints on roads that vary from 5 to 30
miles in length. The lowest cumulative time wins.
THE CARS
A rally car is the ultimate real world sports
car: one that is capable of high speed and incredible handling on any
road surface and in every weather condition. Fast yet strong, they
must survive hundred of miles and several days of torture. As an
additional challenge, all rally cars must be street legal, since they
must traverse public roads with traffic between the competitive timed
sections. The Rally America Championship features a lineup of cars
that average fans could buy from their local dealers, including
Subaru WRX STis, Mitsubishi Evos, Ford Focuses and VW
Golfs!
FANS
Watching rally on TV is a spectacle, but seeing it in
person is an awe inspiring experience. Fans get to line the road, mere
feet from the sliding, jumping and gravel spraying action. Fans can
also freely check out the service areas where drivers and their teams
repair the cars. Meeting your favorite driver and touching your
favorite rally car are guaranteed. Tickets? Most rally events are
totally free! |