Abi Mahmood & Chris Butcher 2007 Emerald Stages- 10th o/a & 1st Class C
Against the clock
Rallying is a timed race over closed sections of real public roads by modified production vehicles. Competitors race one car at a time against the clock, usually at one-minute intervals. Competitors aim to finish the event with the lowest cumulative time.
Track conditions
The flat-out racing can be done on tracks of either tarmac, mud, snow and unpaved gravel / dirt roads- these are referred to as 'special stages'. Between the rally stages the cars travel over public areas & roads and are required to obey traffic laws. Events can be several hundred miles long and can last more than one day.
Teamwork
Each car has a driver and a co-driver. The driver's role is obvious. The co-driver navigates between special stages and then reads detailed route notes and pace notes warning the driver of upcoming hazards during the stages.
Mechanics
After several stages the cars come into a 'service park' where the team mechanics will have anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes to make any necessary repairs.
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Chris co-driving for Rob Dennis, Carfax Stages, December 2009 - En route to winning the Cotswold Stage Rally Championship
