Road Rallies(Navigational)

[craigdmcd]

Just thought I'd put a post out to see if anyone else out there does navigational road rallies, as I have discussed them with a few other scooby owners, and everyone seems to be in the dark about them(which is sort of ideal, as they are generally held at night). For those that don't know, a navigational road rally is a rally held in a road legal motor vehicle, which range from a Fiat Cinquecento, right up to Discos, a few Impreza's and all sorts in between. The events are usually held by local district motor clubs, and are usually held on Saturday nights in Autumn and Spring (it gets darker earlier in the evening, but weather conditions aren't so bad as to hinder the running of the rally), usually between 7pm and midnight. The official jist, is that, you have a starting point, and then from that point on, you have to get to the next checkpoint via clues given at the last point, each section being a stage, as in competition rallies (the basics of the timing are very similar in both styles of rallying, therefore, it is an excellent training ground to learn basic navigating skills for stage rallying). You are given a set time between each checkpoint for the stages, which is calculated at approx 30mph (if you haven't already clicked out of this post already, and have just seen 30mph, please bear with me as it's about to get interesting). Let me take for instance, you have a 7 mile section (an average length,as you have generally have anywhere between 12-20 stages, with a total length of approx 100 miles), so you are allowed 14/15 minutes to complete this. Now take into account that the navigator has to work out the clue (say at least 3 mins) so you now have 11/12 mins to do 7 miles, and he is trying to read the OS map you need for the event while you drive down the road (Oh, i forgot to mention, these generally take place on B roads, unclassified roads, and when you're lucky, a little bit of A road to help you make up time), but you miss the turn for the unclassified road, and travel another mile down the road, have to turn back, and head in the right direction. So now you have added another 2 miles to your travelling distance and lost time. Are you starting to understand yet, you get to hoon about back roads, having an absolute riot with your mate, trying to average 60/70/80/-- miles an hour to get to the next point. Oops, and there only is one correct route, with cleverly placed marker boards with letters on them that you note so the organisers can tell you went the right way. You get penalised for being early, being late and missing code boards, and there are rules to get you excluded, but you have to be an idiot to manage that. There are only small tacky trophies, you'll use close to a tank of petrol, and it costs around £30-£40 to enter, but it's an absolute scream. Incidentally, the guy in the Fiat usually wins, he's be doing it for years, gets harder clues than you but still manages to clean every stage, but where's the fun in doing it at sensible speeds. Anyone up for a go?

Craig

[ANDYJDMSTI]

sounds interesting

[zeolite]

Done loads in the 80s and 90s. Retired to go stage rallying.

[DEVLIN]

Tell me where and when.

[paulc555]

I've been trying to find somebody locally who could point me in the right direction for getting involved in this.....I've organsied and ran road rallys in Ireland for a number of years but have always wanted to try my hand at this...can you give me any more information...

regards

[AndyBCTR]

I do quite a few, won the ESACC novice driver's champ last year and won three events as navigator

They really are great fun.

GMSC are running the Aquarius as a Nat B and 12 car event on the 12th of Feb if anyone's interested.

Andy

[craigdmcd]

Thanks for the reply Andy on when there is an event on, I'll now get on the case and find when other rallies are available since there are a few interested. Barry, if you want, I'll navigate for you on your first couple till you get the jist, Andy, are you willing to navigate for a few novices? AndyJDM, is a 80/90mph average not too boring for you? Keep your eyes peeled for more posts about this, then spread the Gospel, HALLELUJAH!!!

Craig

[McGoo]

I would be quite interested in giving this a go, either as a novice driver or navigator.

Are there any useful web sites about which show a bit more detail on the Rules, Clues and Navigation stuff ?

Cheers

Davie

[Hepy]

A guy I work with does these road rallies. I think in a Legacy. It sounds like quite a good event.

[AndyBCTR]

Craig, I'd be happy to naviagate for a novice driver Sorry for the late reply, I never got the reply email

There are three championships on the go, the Scottish, the East of Scotland and the West of Scotland. If anyone wants any info just let me know.

[fraser_drinkwater]

count me in

[craigdmcd]

Ok troops, I'm on the case now, been talking to the local car clubs etc, all good news, will post a lengthy note in the next day or two to let you know what happening .

Craig

[McGoo]

Looking forward to it.

[JohnSt]

East Ayrshire CC are problably going to run some this year.

---john---

[fraser_drinkwater]

Happy with that

[craigdmcd]

Right troops, I am back on the case with this after being in Sunny(not) Hong Kong. I have hijacked these dates that seem to be for the East and North of Scotland from somebody else's post (sorry if it was your post)

Date Event Organising Club

Feb 12 Aquarius Glenrothes MSC

Mar 5 Nuit Blanche Rally EUMSC

Mar 12 Gropers Rally SDMC

Apr tba Boontree Birl Rally 750MC

Apr 16 Teviotdale Rally Hawick & Border CC

Sep 3 Autumn Rally Highland CC

Oct 22 Caledonia Rally Scottish Sporting CC

Nov 19 Early Winter Rally Border Ecosse CC

Nov 26 Williamson 100 Rally Aberdeen & DMC

Also I know that Lanarkshire car club are holding their Clydesdale Navigational Rally on Sat 12th March, starting at Happendon Services on the M74, and strangely finishing at Hamilton services (don't expect a mad dash up the motorway). I've talked to the organisers, and for those that aren't sure whether this is going to be their cup of tea or not, a 12 car rally is taking place behind the MSA event so you can enter on a reduced fee by paying for just the entry (approx £40) and a 1 day club membership at £1. I have the the entry form on a PDF document that I can e-mail to anyone interested. It's all a little confusing, so if you need some guidance, call me on 07721 610095 and I can put you straight. Also the Glasgow University is holding their Navigational Rally the following weekend as far as I'm lead to believe which is held on the north side of Glasgow. I've probably missed a lot of info, but I'll fill in the blanks as I remember them.

Craig

[AndyBCTR]

The Lanarkshire CC event at novice level is promised to have very very easy clues to make it more enjoyable It'll still be a challenge to get to the end though

[craigdmcd]

Right. looks like me and Barry Devlin are going to compete on the Lanarkshire Car Club event, who else is up for a shot and I'll get the entry e-mailed to you?

Craig

[DEVLIN]

Bttt for a serious lack of interest !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyBCTR]

Myself and one of the other TRS guys are attempting the Aquarius tomorrow night

I'll be doing the Lanarkshire one too but who I don't know yet. I've got the regs and entry already from Ian