The event runs along a route planned by the Rally Director. The route will predominantly be along sealed roads, although occasional stretches of unsealed roads may be used. This will normally be noted in the Information Sheet/Supplementary Regulations for the event.
Events usually take place over one or two days: for two-day events, the Rally Organiser arranges overnight accommodation for competitors (costs are included in the entry fee).
Before the event
Events are advertised on the website, and also in the newsletter.
Each event will have a set of Supplementary Instructions, which give details such as the start and finish locations, the rough length and specific details about how the rules will be applied. You should read these before the event.
Entry forms are also available on the website and newsletter. Entries normally close about a week before the event, but Rally Directors appreciate early entries, as this assists with planning.
Before the event, you will need to get your car Scrutineered. Information about scrutineering sessions is included in the Supplementary Instructions. If you go to the official Registration/Scrutineering session, you will probably also get a Rally Pack, containing your car number, maps and other bits and pieces. If you get your car scrutineered separately, you will collect the Rally Pack on the morning of the event.
At the start
The event will start with a Competitors' Briefing, about 30 minutes before the first car is due to depart. You must attend this, as important information about how the rally is run (including possible last minute changes - e.g. due to roadworks) is given out.
At some point after this, you'll be given the morning's Route Instructions for your Class: see the Navigation levels page for more information on Route Instructions and Classes.
Most events have a list of questions at specific distances that you must answer en route: these are generally at the back of the Instructions. The point of these questions is to prove that you drove the correct route.
You will normally have 5-10 minutes to study your Route Instructions before you need to leave.
On the road
As you leave, you pass through the first Major Control, where you will be given your Road Card: this is the document on which you enter answers, and officials enter times or stamps at various controls.
In addition to answering questions along the way, you need to keep an eye out for VRCs (Visual Route Checks). A VRC is a white board with a large "P" on it, and a smaller letter or number in the bottom right corner. When you see a VRC, you need to write the small letter/number on your Road Card.
You may also come to a Manned Passage Control: a board with a "P" and one or more officials waiting for you. You need to pull in and have your card marked by the official.
When you arrive at the end of the first section (which will normally be about lunchtime) you hand in your completed Road Card to the officials at the Control point. You can then have lunch, and get ready to collect your afternoon instructions!
Scoring
The winner of a rally is not the team who does it fastest: it is the one whose Route Card has the least mistakes. Points are deducted for missed VRCs, missed/incorrectly answered questions and Manned Passage Controls that were either missed, or entered from the wrong direction.
Just remember - it's all fun. You're not playing for sheep stations.
