How to Time Speed Rally
So, you want to take your car out for a nice drive, or to spend quality time with other people who like cars, or to raise money for a worthy cause. Think about joining a Time Speed Rally sponsored by the Northeast Rally Club. Any street legal car can enter. The task in a Time Speed Rally is to navigate a set of instructions and arrive at checkpoints at a pre-determined time.
Even though it sounds easy, it is tricky to do well. Some people just go to
take a nice ride, and some are serious about getting their 'Aces' - legs with
zero penalty. Here is a brief overview: You have a set of instructions, a clock
and a speedometer in your car. You're driving down a random road at 50 mph
looking for a curve warning sign. When you see the sign, you are to change your
average speed to 45 mph for 36 seconds, then accelerate back to 50. Then turn
right and change your speed to 25 mph. The trick is you can’t instantly change
your speed – you need time to slow down and speed up, and you need to account
for that time. It’s a precision driving/navigating exercise. For each second you
are early or late, you receive a one-point penalty. The low score wins. There
are literally hundreds of instructions to follow over the three-day rally, and
as many as 20 checkpoints along the way. You do not know beforehand where the
checkpoints are or what time they are supposed to be there. The drivers must
also deal with the normal, everyday traffic on the roads. Maybe a farmer is
moving a baling wagon to a different field, or there’s traffic coming when you
need to make your turn. The interaction with regular people out living their
lives makes this a fun and challenging time.
It is also a rolling car show, featuring classic Jags, prewar convertibles and
speedsters, muscle cars, sports cars and modern rides mixed in as well.
Drivers must also attend “school” before the event to go over safety procedures
and to train the rookies how to do it.
Sound interesting? Here are some links to help you learn "How To Rally".
The Northeast Rally Club General Rally Instructions
Car and Driver Calibration for Rookies
Other Rally Sites: