Types of Rallies

Rally races typically come in two types, stage and road rallies. While the stage rallies tend to be more organized and frequented by the drivers at the top of the rally-racing circles, there are other popular options as well. Stage rallies emphasize speed over relatively short distances, such as a closed section of highway.

The terrain over which such races take place varies as widely as the drivers themselves. While some races are run over relatively pristine asphalt or tarmac, others are run on dirt courses or even over snow-covered mountain passes. The rallies make for very interesting viewing, and many drivers prefer the elements of danger that are added in such conditions.

Road rallies work a bit differently. Road rallies are the traditional form of the sport, and have been around since the end of the 19th century. Road rallies are run over long distances, some as long as thousands of miles. Instead of outright speed, it’s important that accurate times be kept, since not all cars will enter each checkpoint at the same time. Rallies often include runs through different countries, and even different continents during the course of a single race. Such rallies are often named for their start and end points, such as the Paris-Dakar Rally. Another is the Pan Am Rally, which runs across North America. Such races focus more on following directions and efficient problem-solving than they do on base speed alone. Many road rallies are driven each year, and most of them include a primarily amateur showing.

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