How To Get Involved with Rallying (from CAMS & Vic Rally website)
Getting Started:
Rallying is one of the more team-oriented forms of motor sport enabling both driver and navigator to work together and experience the thrill of competition. Rallies are traditionally run on unsealed roads and can range from novice non-special stage trials run at club and state level, through to Australian and World Rally Championship events. Tarmac rallying is also an expanding form of the sport, particularly for classic style vehicles.
Some rallies can be navigational events where the emphasis is placed on map reading and the speeds are not necessarily high, or route-charted events where navigators are provided with a road book which contains the information required to complete a special stage or road section.
Who can compete?
Anyone can compete in rallying. Most people start off by competing in autocross events before moving on to introductory or novice club-level rallies to gain further experience, and then graduate to state-level events which are more competitive. Competitors in tarmac rally events often obtain experience in speed events or circuit racing. In most events, Drivers require a current civil driving licence and must successfully complete a licence lecture and an observed licence test. Navigators only need to complete the lecture. A junior licence is also available for drivers and navigators.
NOTE: Minimum age restrictions apply.
What cars can compete?
People competing in introductory rally events can use their everyday road car, whereas more specialised cars are required to compete in higher level events. Whilst many people competing in state and national championships have upgraded to four-wheel-drive rally cars such as Subaru WRXs and Mitsubishi Lancers, many people continue to compete with older style cars, including Datsuns, Escorts, and early Commodores, which run in separate classes. There is also a thriving historic rally scene.
Where to start?
So you have decided that rallying is for you but don't know where to go next, then read on.
Join a Car Club
There are a number of active rally car clubs in Victoria. Some clubs are focused exclusively on rallying while others on all forms of motorsport. You can join a car club without being a competitor or wanting to compete. Often you can go to a club meeting as a visitor to see what the club is like before you join. For a list of car clubs click here.
Contact C.A.M.S.
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport or CAMS as it is better known is the governing body of all motorsport within Australia. Check our their website for contact details.
Spectating
Spectating is a great way to get involved in rallying and on most events in Victoria is FREE of charge. Most events will produce a spectator guide that will tell you what time and where to go to see all the action. Because spectator guides also tell competitors where they will be going (in the case of navigational events), they are often not released until the day of the event.
Become an Official
This is the best way to get started in rallying because you will meet a lot of key people who are heavily involved in the sport and are also helping others to run their event. To become an official simply contact the event's secretary and let them know that you are interested in helping, you dont even have to a member of their car club. There are a number of different roles that you can do as an official and all event organisers are always willing to accept help from others. Best of all you will get closer to the action than spectating as you will have your own private spot to view the cars go by.
