Track Tips for Rally Drivers – Master Any Rally Stage
Whether you’re a first‑time competitor or a seasoned pro, the track makes or breaks a rally run. A good read on the stage, a quick car check, and the right driving line can shave seconds off your time and keep you safe. Below are the basics you need before you hit the dirt, gravel, snow or asphalt.
Read the Stage Like a Map
Start with the roadbook. Look for symbols that tell you about turns, jumps, and surface changes. Mark the tricky sections in a notebook – a tight hairpin, a sudden switch from tarmac to gravel, a steep climb. If you can picture the route in your head, you’ll enter the start zone with confidence instead of guessing.
Most rally clubs also provide a recce video. Watch it once, then pause and note the reference points: a tree, a fence post, a rock formation. When you’re on the stage, those landmarks will cue you to brake early or lift‑off the throttle.
Prep Your Car for the Track
Every surface demands a different setup. On loose gravel, lower the ride height a little and add a softer suspension setting to keep the wheels in contact. For mixed tarmac‑gravel stages, keep the ride height moderate and use a medium‑stiff damper to balance grip and comfort.
Don’t forget the tires. A good rally tyre will have a versatile tread pattern that bites into loose soil yet stays stable on hard‑packed sections. Pressurise them according to the manufacturer’s recommendation for the expected load – usually a few psi lower than on a road race.
Check the brakes and handbrake. A properly adjusted handbrake is essential for the sharp slide‑turns you’ll face on narrow tracks. Test it during a short shakedown run; you should feel a firm pull without any wobble.
Finally, run a quick engine check. Make sure the cooling system is full, the oil level is right, and all bolts are torqued. A breakdown in the middle of a stage costs time and can be dangerous.
When you roll out, keep an eye on the roadbook, listen to your car, and trust the prep you did. The right track knowledge + a well‑tuned car = a smoother, faster run.
Got a specific stage you’re worried about? Drop a comment on the Earls Barton Rally Hub forum – the community loves swapping track notes and can give you that extra edge. Happy rallying!
Do rally drivers remember track or rely just on navigator?
This article explores the question of how rally drivers navigate their way through a course. It looks at the differences between experienced rally drivers who have raced the same course multiple times, and those who are new to a track. The article concludes that experienced drivers rely on their knowledge of the track, whereas new drivers rely on the navigator to direct them. It is also noted that both drivers and navigators must be able to quickly identify course changes and landmarks. Finally, the article suggests that experience is key to successful rally driving, as it allows the driver to trust their memory of the track, while the navigator can be used to augment that knowledge.
read more
