And They’re Off…
The fascination probably started young, spending afterschool hours watching Penelope Pitstop and Muttley compete on “Wacky Races,” itself inspired by another favorite movie, ”The Great Race,” starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. The concept of an international road raced appealed to my love of travel, while at the same time feeding my naturally competitive nature without the hassle of having to spend the time and money outfitting and learning how to drive a souped up racer. I have yet to compete in one or even learn much about them, but was surprised to learn how pervasive these road races are just in the U.S. alone. Nearly every state has its own club and event.
Amateur road rallying is very different than the professional circuit, which focuses only on speed and sees automakers spending lots of money to produce rally-specific performance cars. Some of the more well-known ones include the many different WRC (World Rally Championships) international races (Monaco, South Africa), and La Carrera Panamericana through Mexico. But amateur road rallies are for the everyman/woman, people like you and me, who love driving, love the challenges of discovering a new place, but don’t necessarily dream of being the next Dale Earnhardt.Â
The most popular are TSD rallies, which stands for time, speed, and distance. These rely on navigation and driving skills, rather than speed. A driver and navigator are given a set of precise instructions and an average speed limit — all within legal limits, as these rallies take place on regular streets and back roads — and must reach the various checkpoints as close to the designated time as possible. Arriving too early or too late earns points. The driver with the least points at the end of the rally wins, so it is important to stay on target and maintain the correct speed.  Across and even within the different stages, the average speed requirement can vary, meaning you’ll be calling up some long-forgotten pre-algebra D=RT calculations.
That’s why anyone and any car can participate for a nominal fee. You don’t need a performance-tuned WRX STi, just honed navigation skills, logic, a keen eye, and a symbiotic driving partner you can trust (maybe that’s why Dick Dastardly and Muttley never won). They are really glorified road trips, requiring extra motivation and extra attention; a chance to see different parts of the country or reacquaint yourself with your own backyard in the spirit of old-fashioned competition. Reading about the cult of road rallying can be daunting, but for those easily intimidated, most contests have a novice category. There are also Gimmick Rallies that involve solving clues, counting objects, or a scavenger hunt.
For the more ambitious or seasoned amateur racer, there is always The Great Race. This is the 1908 New York to Paris race that inspired the 1965 movie, and was a demonstration of the durability and power of the relatively new internal combustion engine. The Great Race continues today, and in 2008 will celebrate the 100th anniversary with a 20,000-mile New York to Paris competition focused on cars sporting innovative green fuel technology. There will also be a category for strictly vintage Great Race-inspired vehicles. So strap on those goggles and leather driving gloves, pack a map and some water, and get driving.
