Introducing Rallying

What is a Treasure Hunt?

Treasure Hunts are fun, social events. Teams are made up of driver and navigator, but additional passengers are often permitted. After being given a set of clues, or a list of items to collect, all teams must determine their own route to reach the various plot points necessary within the time limit.

Both Treasure Hunts and Navigational Scatters are excellent entry points to learning the techniques of navigation and starting to build the teamwork that is needed between driver and navigator.

Routes are often on public roads, with speeds rarely exceeding 30mph. Events usually start in car parks and finish at a place of interest or refreshment, picking up clues and treasure along the way.

What is a Navigational Scatter?

A great entry point into rallying, a Navigational Scatter is a fantastic opportunity to build the skills necessary in more complex formats. Teams, each made up of a driver and a navigator, are given around 20 – 30 plot points scattered across a defined area, with a clue or question to solve at each point (the number on a particular telegraph pole, for example). Similar to orienteering but in a car, competitors locate points choosing their own route and meet up at the finish. One step up from a Treasure Hunt.

Navigational Scatters usually take place in the evening or at night, along public roads, with speeds rarely exceeding 30mph.

What is a 12 Car Rally?

A 12 Car Rally, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a rally featuring 12 cars. Competitors participate in teams of two, a driver and a navigator.

A 12 Car is Navigational Rally limited to 12 vehicles. Crews have to locate route checks, navigate a route and time controls whilst maintaining a time schedule. The difference lies mainly in that, in a 12 Car Rally, you are given a series of instructions defining your route, visiting the plot points in order and at particular times. At each point, there will be a marshal waiting to note your time and to provide the next set of instructions. The objective is to navigate to each time control accurately while following a time schedule.

Like most road rallies, a 12 Car Rally takes place on public roads, with speeds rarely exceeding 30mph.

What is a Navigational Rally?

A Navigational Rally is similar to a 12 Car Rally, but does not have a limit on entrants. It takes place in the evening or at night and involves navigating to a number of different plot points in the designated area.

All teams (made up of a driver and a navigator) are given a series of instructions defining the route and must visit the plot points in order and at particular times. At each point, there will be a marshal waiting to note the time of arrival and to provide the next set of instructions.

Like most road rallies, a Navigational Rally takes place on public roads, with speeds rarely exceeding 30mph. The aim is to complete the course accurately, in the best time possible.

What is a Road or Historic Rally?

The most advanced StreetCar rally format, Road and Historic Rallies tend to have the greatest number of competitors and cover the furthest distance. Taking place in the evening or at night with a top speed of 30mph, these events take place on public roads – though there may be some off-road special tests.

Sometimes the directions are provided beforehand, so teams (made up of driver and navigator) can pre-plot their routes, but the navigator may also need to plot while moving. Both driver and navigator must complete the route at the set time schedule.

Historic Rallies operate in fundamentally the same way, though usually during the daytime, and with classic cars. Clubs will specify the makes, models and years of eligible cars for each of these events, as they may differ.

Both Road and Historic Rallies are a progression from the previous types, requiring team members to have accomplished driving, navigational and collaboration skills, so it is advised to start with a Navigational Scatter or 12 Car Rally to develop your technique.

What is a Targa Rally?

A popular spin-off of a Road Rally, time plays a greater part in a Targa Rally. A cross between a Rally and an Autotest, a Targa consists of a course marked out by cones, with a set route and a navigator to direct. The aim is to follow the correct route, in the quickest time possible.

Targa Rallies are most commonly held during the daytime, on private land, with twists and turns keeping speeds low. Some events may use multiple venues, navigating on public roads between locations.

At single venue Targa Rallies, you may share your car, taking it in turns to act as driver or navigator. Teamwork is key.