Rally Racing

[adrenaline360]

Hey I was wondering...
If some one starts stage rallying how does he make it to the pros? I was pondering this for a long time. In other words can I enter a stage rally event that Ken Block is in and race I mean i just don't get it. How do you progress, is it just based on wins if so where do you have to start out. If I constantly win the events I go to and get sponsored when do I go big like WRC can some1 tell me I wud rly appreciate it.

plz....:shootsself:

[409industries]

baby steps my friend. baby steps. Theres a lot of people pondering these exact same questions on here, including myself. It would be nice if someone more established can offer their insights, but since i saw this first ill give it my best shot.

First, consider rallycross. A great safe, and CHEAP way to learn basic car control on dirt. Did i mention this is cheap too? You will meet a lot of great people this way also.

When you're looking for something more exciting that just cones... volunteer at a stage rally. You will become exposed to what it takes to run at an event. If you can, offer to help out with someones service crew. Again... meeting more people = good stuff.

Ready to take on stage rally? Save up some money, take out a loan, or get a big credit card because it takes money money money. Buy a rallycar of someone who is selling the whole thing, or build up a good car. Don't skimp on safety equipment! spend more money. dream about racing and then spend some more money after that.

With what little money you have left over, consider going to a Rallyschool like Team Oneils on the east coast. I have been told this is a great way to help keep you out of the trees at your first real event.

Start out at one of the regional stage rallies. I didnt see where you are located, but there are many local rallies that are run by smaller organizations. Rally America isn't the only sanctioning body in the US. NASA has a very strong rallysport program. Some of their rules are much more lenient so that you can get experience before running with the bigger RA dogs.

After all that. well its a real grey area i guess. I dont know much more about running a national championship with Rally America, but i do know its not cheap. Factory backing would be ideal or at least some really good sponsors that can offset the huge logistical expenses that come with trying something like that.

If you're really good and get picked up by a factory team, prove yourself in the US, then possibly try some PWRC events that come around if you are lucky / talented enough to get that opportunity. Keep putting down solid results. Then move up to WRC?

What do i know anyway! This should be a good discussion.

[WRXCMM]

wow...meet alot of people...and get people to know you...and keep in mind even sponsorships on the small scale you have to give give give in order for you to recieve...be thankful to your sponsors keep them involved in what you're doing, a business plan or event schedule would also help.

"it's not what you know, is who you know"

take it slow and enjoy it. "rome was not built in one day"...

damn this f\/ckn weed is good...kids don't do drugs.

or you could win the loto and buy your own team.

[UP2MTNS]

This will be a silly thread.....



find a fully rally prepped AWD car somewhere....buy it....go find the next RA event that block and TP (travis P) are running in, go drive your car there, and DOOOO EEEEET!


Seriously though, other than dealing with RA (Rally America) restrictions for noobs in open class AWD cars, there's not a whole lot you 'have' to do. It all depends on $$$$$$. The above scenario isn't unrealistic if you know your way around.


RallyX events are good for driving basics. Being skilled in anything (imo) requires understanding the basics.

409 pretty much spelled out all of the other 'best things to do'.

As far as getting sponsored, that's a matter of your business skills....

As far as getting to WRC.....if you're asking on this forum, you won't ever get there. (even if you win the lotto, won't happen)


Sorry for the generic answers....but you asked a pretty generic question.

[rollo]

Just like all racing, you need money to start out in stage rally. Not necessarily lottery money, but ten grand would be a nice start for a beginner level entry. But yeah, you would have to show the most outrageous, fearsome talent here to be seen by WRC teams. I suppose if you showed up in a beat up GTI and consistently beat the Subarus at the top national level, something outlandish like that, then someone would sit up and take notice.

Otherwise, it's the "get/be obnoxiously rich" route to WRC. It's entirely possible, look at Conrad Rautenbach. Sure, he's an okay driver, but he's rocking a current year spec C4, unquestionably one of the six most competitive cars out there. Is he one of the six best (currently competing) rally drivers in the world? (no) Is he one of the six richest (currently competing) rally drivers in the world? (almost certainly)

Back to reality, and the most likely scenario is - if you're super dedicated - that you spend your rally career in your GTI. But you're still racing against Ken, Trav, ACP, Tanner, Pinker, etc, which is kinda cool.

[adrenaline360]

ok thx for the answers but yea i just wanted a general idea not that i'll be in WRC any time soon. just for the sake of arguement can any1 race in RA or is there some kind of qualification? Do you have to have a few championships under ur belt? u kno how does it work?

[albascoob]

Vote for moving this to the Stage Rally Preparation forum...

[UP2MTNS]

ok thx for the answers but yea i just wanted a general idea not that i'll be in WRC any time soon. just for the sake of arguement can any1 race in RA or is there some kind of qualification? Do you have to have a few championships under ur belt? u kno how does it work?

for 2wd....nope, just show up and drive!!

for AWD....RA specifically looks for experience (not any kind of 'winning' necessary).

Rally are assigned coefficient points for their length/difficulty...1, 2, 3, etc....RA technically looks for 18 coefficient points before you can sit in an AWD open class rally car.


Waivers for other experience are possible as well.

NASA does NOT have that restriction.

[GruppoB]

Sorry to say this but it is mainly who you know. Making it up the ranks as a navigator is a bit easier than as a driver.

Glad hand at rallies and bs your way into to good seats!

:eek:

[albascoob]

I don't think anyone mentioned this yet as an answer to how to make it to WRC...

Move to Europe, get to know the names that matter, beat everyone on the rally circuit for a few years, be a personality that sponsors are willing to promote then MAYBE get picked up by a big team when the time is right.
Do it when you are young ( 17-18 ) because there are only a rare few that make the move successfully when they are in their mid 20's, Seb being one of them.

This is how most people generally make it to the big show and I've known a lot of folk back in the UK who started rallying when they were this age and never made it so it's not easy. Most either run out of talent or money...usually money.

[saturn]

honest answer: money

these drivers are all talented but it's not like they have some super magic powers or anything... it's all stuff you can learn with time and practice

[rollo]

Apart from Seb.. I'm pretty sure he has magic powers. It's not just that he's insanely fast, but that he's so easy on the car. Kinda like a modern rally version of 60s F1 legend Jim Clark. And that is saying A LOT.

[pigpen]

honest answer: money

these drivers are all talented but it's not like they have some super magic powers or anything... it's all stuff you can learn with time and practice

don't forget cajones the size of basketballs...you'll need those along with money if you are going to be fast enough to get noticed. or unstable...that seems to be useful for some. but as aaron said, if you want to keep it out of a tree when you're first starting out, i think you definitely want to attend a proper rally school or 3.

i think the hardest things about advancing through rally are probably:
1. startup capital to get you out there enough to earn a reputation
2. finding sponsors and convincing them that you will be an asset for their business goals
3. learning to drive fast enough to beat the guys that have been in the series for 20 years

note that ^^this^^ all comes from someone with no stage rally experience. all i know is what i've learned from talking to competitors, mostly at rallies where i've volunteered. you should definitely do that if you haven't already.