What is Performance or Stage Rally?
Performance Rallying has long been a favorite form of motor sport in Europe, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. In these places, rallies often draw crowds in the tens of thousands. Unlike conventional racing, rallies are held primarily on forest access roads. These roads consist of everything from loose gravel to mud or snow and ice. The conditions can dictate speeds from well over 200 km/h to as low as 30 km/h. Also, unlike racing, the route remains unknown to the driver until it is read at speed by the CO-driver (navigator). At every moment, the car, driver and CO-driver must be ready for whatever may be around the next curve! Performance Rallying displays a unique combination of driver skill, car performance, strategy, endurance and pure guts.
The Performance Rally format consists of two parts: Special Stages and Transit Sections. The Special Stages are the competitive sections of the route and are closed to public traffic during the event. These are flat-out runs against the clock, at speeds that the average motorist would never imagine possible. The Transit Sections are routes between Stages, in which the teams must obey all traffic laws. Ample time is provided to allow teams to arrive at the start of the next Stage without speeding, and penalties are assessed for arriving too early or too late. Any moving violation in a transit section is grounds for disqualification. The accumulation of times from the Special Stages and transit penalties makes up the final score and helps to determine the winner.
Performance Rally vehicles require certain safety equipment to protect the crew. This includes a full roll cage, with door bars and triangulation, fire extinguishers and special seat belts. The crew must wear approved fireproof suits and helmets, and must hold a St. John Ambulance First Aid certificate. All of this equipment is scrutinized by event officials before the start of each event
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