What
is Performance or Stage Rally?
Performance Rallying has long been a favorite
form of motor sport in Europe, Asia, Africa and
other parts of the world. In these places, rallies
often draw crowds in the tens of thousands. Unlike
conventional racing, rallies are held primarily
on forest access roads. These roads consist of
everything from loose gravel to mud or snow and
ice. The conditions can dictate speeds from well
over 200 km/h to as low as 30 km/h. Also, unlike
racing, the route remains unknown to the driver
until it is read at speed by the CO-driver (navigator).
At every moment, the car, driver and CO-driver
must be ready for whatever may be around the next
curve! Performance Rallying displays a unique
combination of driver skill, car performance,
strategy, endurance and pure guts.
The Performance Rally format consists of two
parts: Special Stages and Transit Sections. The
Special Stages are the competitive sections of
the route and are closed to public traffic during
the event. These are flat-out runs against the
clock, at speeds that the average motorist would
never imagine possible. The Transit Sections are
routes between Stages, in which the teams must
obey all traffic laws. Ample time is provided
to allow teams to arrive at the start of the next
Stage without speeding, and penalties are assessed
for arriving too early or too late. Any moving
violation in a transit section is grounds for
disqualification. The accumulation of times from
the Special Stages and transit penalties makes
up the final score and helps to determine the
winner.
Performance Rally vehicles require certain safety
equipment to protect the crew. This includes a
full roll cage, with door bars and triangulation,
fire extinguishers and special seat belts. The
crew must wear approved fireproof suits and helmets,
and must hold a St. John Ambulance First Aid certificate.
All of this equipment is scrutinized by event
officials before the start of each event.
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