Rally

Special Stage Rallies

These are far more expensive than road rallies, with more emphasis upon car preparation, speed and driver ability, rather than navigational skills.

Most famous rallies are special stage events, like the Wales Rally GB , Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship . At a national level the British Rally Championship is the most significant challenge and incorporates rounds across the country.

The basis of such events - the special stage - is a stretch of road closed to all other traffic, which must be covered at a high average speed. In most of Great Britain (the exceptions are Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Mull, the Channel Islands and the roads used by the Jim Clark Memorial Rally), public roads are not available for this purpose, so special stage events use private land, frequently Forestry Commission roads or disused airfields

There is two types, ‘Multi-use’ where the event is within the confines of the venue and does not use public roads, in which case taxed and insured is normally relaxed. The other is ‘Multi-venue’, this is when various special stages are linked with sections of public road, where the required average speed is low (usually 30mph or slower). Because of these sections, all competing cars must be properly taxed, tested and insured.

Minimum Requirements

The Driver must be at least 17 years old and must hold a valid Road Traffic Driving Licence. Before you can apply for your first Stage Rally Driver Licence, you must do the following:

1. Purchase a ‘Go-Rallying’ starter pack from MSA which includes a DVD, a copy of the Motor Sports Yearbook, the necessary application form, plus various other useful items.

2. Complete a one-day MSA course for novice drivers, run only by members of the British Association of Rally Schools (BARS). Contact your local school for costs.

When you have obtained a Competition Licence, you will require the following:

· A car with added safety equipment (rollcage, fire extinguishers fireproofing, etc).

· An MSA Log Book.

· A navigator or co-driver who is at least 16 years old and holds a valid club membership card and a Non-Race National B or higher Competition Licence.

· Crash helmets and flame-resistant overalls.

Road Rallies

All manner of events are run under the umbrella title of 'rallies', including economy runs and treasure hunts. However, the most popular are simply known as road rallies. All these events are run within clubs or regional championships.

The essence of this type of event is to maintain a time schedule through a series of control points by following route instructions which often put a great emphasis on navigation.

These events take place on normal public roads, almost always at night. All competing cars must be properly taxed, tested and insured.

Minimum Requirements

· Any standard road car.

· 2 crew members with valid club membership cards.

· Ordnance Survey maps

· The driver must be at least 17 years old and must hold a valid RTA Driving Licence.

· The navigator must be at least 12 years old.

To purchase a ‘Go-Rallying’ starter pack to obtain a

MSA Special Stage Rally License click on image.

For list of driving schools see the

British Association of Rally Schools