So what exactly is performance rally?

• A Stage Rally IS a race.
• A Stage Rally IS NOT illegal.
• A Stage Rally DOES require special equipment.
• A Stage Rally ENCOURAGES novices to participate.
• A Stage Rally IS a LOT of fun.

Performance Rally is the largest spectator motorsport in the world. Millions of people line the roads in Europe and Africa where the sport is as popular as Formula One. Major car makers and tire companies sponsor works teams to contest the World Rally Championships. Here in the US, we call it National Rally and Regional Rally.

So what is Stage Rally? Quite simply, Stage Rally is a flat-out race over closed sections of rural roads by modified production automobiles. It is different than most car races in that:

• Competitors race one car at a time against the clock, usually at one minute intervals.
• Flat-out racing is done on limited access roads, blocked off from "civilian" traffic, rather than on prepared tracks.
• Events are usually several hundred miles long, often lasting for several days.
• Each car has a driver and a co-driver (or navigator).
• In-between the racing stages, the cars travel over public roads and are required to obey all traffic laws.

Competitors are not allowed to practice the stages. Each team is given a route book just prior to the start of the event that describes the course in detail. It includes diagrams of turns, notations of water crossings, jumps ("yumps" to the rally purist), and spectator areas, etc. The co-driver uses this book as well as local maps, odometers, and even computers to keep the driver on course and on time.

Special Stages are where the real competition takes place. The roads are usually unpaved, logging trails, mountain roads, desert tracks and in general, pretty rough roads. Checkpoints and traffic controls close all "civilian" access to the stages. The cars arrive at the "Arrival Time Control" or "ATC" and leave in one minute intervals. Timing on the stage lasts until the competitor reaches the "Finish Time Control" or "FTC". A transit stage will then take them to the next "ATC". Transits are sections of the event in which the team travels from the finish of one stage to the start of the next stage on public roads. At the end of the rally, all of the stage times are added up and the fastest car wins.

What kinds of cars compete in a Stage Rally? Most popular are small American and imported sedans such as: Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Saab, Toyota and Volkswagen. All vehicles must be street legal with modifications allowed, depending on the class you want to compete in. The endurance required for Stage Rally makes it an excellent showcase for manufacturers as evidenced by a posting in excess of $75,000 in cash and product awards.

A common quote in rallying is: ''To finish first, you must first finish.''. The point behind that quote is that a lot of things can happen while you are running in a Stage Rally. From a mechanical failure to any of the unlimited ways a team has managed to put their car into the woods, just finishing an event can be a great accomplishment! A very exciting form of motorsports to watch, it is even more exciting to participate in.

You can catch a rally on TV, but the best part is being there. You will find "Spectator Stages" at virtually every national event. This gives you a chance to see how these cars run and the best part is that it is FREE. Spectator guides are available at Rally headquarters. Remember that these cars are coming through at speed. Use common sense and follow the instructions of the course marshals.

Classes:

Open

• The rules are "open". The cars in the class must start as production cars and look like the car when all modifications are made. Almost any modification is allowed. You'll find some very innovative cars in this class.

Group 5

• You'll find two-wheel drive, turbo or supercharged vehicles in this class.

Production

• This fast growing segment of ProRally features cars that are virtually unaltered, except for the safety requirements, with respect to manufacturer's production specifications.

Production GT

• Similar to the Production class, but the cars are more powerful and most have all-wheel drive.

Group 2

• The purpose of this class is to create a small displacement, 2WD open class that will provide a broader range of competition opportunities for competitors and manufacturers.

So, you think you're ready to jump into stage rallying? Not sure how to get started? Visit Specialstage.com. Never be afraid to ask questions. Most rallyists will be more than happy to talk for hours about rallying and their experiences (probably more than you care to hear).

Next, find a performance rally event that is nearby and go spectate or (better yet) volunteer to work a control at the rally (for LOL-ers the Headwaters Rally in May is a fun and low-key event). Don't be worried if you don't know anything. The worker meeting before the rally will teach you everything you need to know to work. In addition, working a rally will give you great insight as to how controls work (very important once you start competing).