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Rally racing Dayle ITM style

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Published on

August 26, 2025

Rally racing explained.

Rally racing is a motorsport where two-person teams (driver and co-driver) race cars against the clock on a series of timed, closed-road “special stages”. Unlike circuit racing, rally cars run one at a time, and the total time from all stages determines the winner. The sport demands incredible precision, strategy, and endurance to navigate diverse and often challenging terrains like gravel, dirt, and tarmac.

How a Rally Race Works

1. Special Stages:

Each rally is divided into multiple timed sections, called special stages, on public or private roads that are closed to other traffic for the event.

2. Pace Notes and the Co-Driver:

Before the race, the driver and co-driver (navigator) “walk” the stages at low speeds to create detailed “pace notes” that describe the upcoming turns, obstacles, and conditions. During the race, the co-driver calls out these notes, giving the driver information about the road ahead, which is critical for navigating at high speed. Teams compete against the clock in stages linked by transits.

3. Against the Clock:

Drivers start each special stage a minute or two apart to avoid direct competition and overtaking on the course.

4. Calculating the Winner:

The winner is the team with the lowest total time across all the special stages.