So what is Performance Rally?

Quite simply, it is a flat-out competition 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.

·   Competition is done on limited access roads, blocked off from "civilian" traffic, rather than on prepared tracks.

·   Events can be several hundred miles long, often lasting for several days.

·   Each car has a driver and a co-driver (or navigator).

·   In-between competition stages, the cars travel over public roads and are required to obey all traffic laws.

   The Events                                                                                                                                      

Each year the National Rally Championship consists of up to ten events held throughout the United States. The Regional performance rally series is comprised of over 50 events per year across the country.  The series is sanctioned by RallyAmerica (www.rally-america.com).

Contingency awards for independent entries are provided by Mazda, Subaru and a host of rally specific and mainstream companies. Most National Rally events feature one or two Regional Rally support events, enabling the entry-level or regional performance rallyist to run directly against the national series teams.

   The Course                                                                                                                                      

Each team is given a route book just prior to the start of the event that describes the course in detail with diagrams of turns, notations of water crossing, jumps, and spectators, etc. The co-driver (navigator) uses this book as well as local maps, odometers, and even computers to keep the driver on course and on time.

Transit sections are sections of the events in which the team travels to get from the finish of one stage to the start of the next stage in modified production vehicles (street legal).

Special Stages are where the real competition takes place. The roads are usually unpaved or seasonal roads, logging trails, mountain roads, or desert tracks. 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 is to the second until the competitors reach the "Finish Time Control" or "FTC". A transit section takes them to the next ATC. At the end of the rally, all of the stage times are added up and the fastest car wins. That, in its essence, is what Performance Rally is all about.

   The Cars                                                                                                                                          

Most popular are small American and imported sedans such as: Subaru, Neon, Audi, Ford, VW, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Saab, and Toyota. All vehicles must be street legal with modifications dependent on the class you choose to run. The endurance required for Performance Rally makes it an excellent showcase for manufacturers.

   The Classes                                                                                                                                     

FIA Group N

Very similar in basic concept to the Production and Production GT classes, these very competitive cars must follow the globally recognized rules format specified by the FIA. There are four classes within Group N, which allow this category's formula to accommodate a wide variety of vehicles.

Open Class

This very broad class allows for a tremendous amount of technical innovation. As with all performance rally classes, the cars must retain their production based appearance, but under-the-hood, virtually anything goes, and all-wheel-drive is absolutely essential.

Group 5

A two-wheel drive version of the Open class described above, following most of that classes’ rules. A uniquely American formula, engine displacement is limited to 5.1 litres, with supercharging and turbocharging allowed.

Group 2

A small displacement, two-wheel drive class that also follows the 'anything goes' format of the Open and Group 5 classes, but provides excellent competition opportunities for cost-sensitive competitors and manufacturers. Supercharging or turbocharging is not allowed, and adjusted engine displacement is limited to 2.4 litres.

Production

Performance Rally's version of 'Showroom Stock', this class features primarily 2WD cars that are virtually unaltered, except for the safety requirements, with respect to manufacturer's production specifications. Adjusted engine displacement is limited to 2.65 litres.

Production GT

Following the showroom stock foundation of the Production Class, GT cars are more powerful and often are turbocharged. These primarily 4WD cars are allowed adjusted engine displacements over 2.65 litres.

Photos by: Tom Buchkoe                www.buchkoe.com