Road Rally is generally described as Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) rallying. It requires a street-legal car, a driver, a navigator, a functioning odometer and a timepiece. Those tools land you in the Novice or Seat-of-Pants (SOP) class. If you add a calculator or auxiliary odometer, you move up to Equipped class. If you install a rally computer or use an app on your smartphone, you step up to Unlimited class. Some rally groups give different names to the classes but the equipment being used determines what class you’re in. Some rallies also include a class for vintage cars.
The objective is to follow the route instructions provided and traverse a series of enjoyable roads past checkpoints at exactly the right time. Scores are based on how well you maintain average speeds. The speeds are always at or below the posted limit in TSD events. If you pass a control 10 seconds early or 10 seconds late, you are given 10 points. The lowest score wins. Generally speaking, awards go to first through third place in Novice, SOP, Equipped and Unlimited classes.
The Pacific Northwest has several rally clubs that put on a variety of events. They range from beginner level events on pavement to more advanced challenges on snow and ice. Many of these events now require that you download the Richta Rally “competitor” App: https://richtarally.com/apps.html
Events in the Pacific Northwest:
Touring events suitable for beginners but also attended by extremely accurate veteran teams:
Raindrop Rally, Washington, May 4, 2024 https://www.rainierautosports.com/events/raindrop
Mountains to the Sea, Oregon, September 21, 2024 http://www.cascadegeargrinders.org/Mountains-to-the-Sea.html
Portland/Seattle area beginner level trap rallies
Cascade Sports Car Club Saturday rally series, monthly events March thru August http://cascadegeargrinders.org/index.cfm
Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon Sunday rally series, monthly events March thru June https://www.alfaclub.org/AROO_Rally_Cup_Series.html
Seattle Friday Nighter series https://nwrally.org
Ghouls Gambol Rally, Portland, Oregon October 26, 2024 http://www.cascadegeargrinders.org/
Brisk gravel/snow events:
Thunderbird, Merritt British Columbia, February 10 & 11, 2024 http://www.rallybc.com
Alcan Winter Rally, Canada / Alaska (lots of Canada!), February 21 – March 1, 2024 https://www.alcan5000.com
No Alibi, June 1, 2024 https://www.rainierautosports.com/events
Totem, British Columbia, TBD, 2024 http://www.rallybc.com
Vintage events:
Cascade Classic Rally & Tour, September 6-8 2024 http://www.collegeplan.org/rally
Northwest Classic Car Challenge, Portland, Oregon, June 27-24, 2024 http://nwclassicmotorcarrally.org
If you’re curious about any of the above, send us a note russ@compassmicro.com and we’ll respond quickly. Our staff has experience in all of these events. Some can easily be run with a friend, spouse or child in your daily driver and some will test those relationships and/or require more car prep.
Latest news:
Watch this space for updates on the Oregon Rally Group, Bob Wakehouse memorial running of, The Road Not Taken.