So you want to get into amateur rally racing. If you love the sport and want to give it a go then great. Give it a try. Just try to remember that it isn’t for everyone. It’s dangerous, even life threatening for those who don’t prepare properly. It’s not easy to practice either. You can’t just jump in a car and go tearing down your street and ripping around corners. Yet there are ways to prepare and to ease yourself into the sport while mitigating any danger to yourself and others. These tips can help you get started but they are no means the be all and end all of advice.
Get The Right Car And Make Sure Its Up To Scratch
This is so important. In all likelihood you’re not going to be using your main vehicle as your rally ride. But don’t skimp when it comes to purchasing. It’s going to take a bit of abuse. You’re going to be throwing it around a lot. Remember to get something with a bit of steel. Once you’ve purchased you’ll need to make sure the parts are up to scratch. For example, a lot of people use Subaru’s in rally racing. There’s no problem with it, it’s just certain parts of the vehicle can degrade over time which is why it’s worth considering subaru head gasket replacement. Look at the tires too. They need to be in good condition before you hit the track. Same with the windscreen wipers. Get an all point check done beforehand for peace of mind.
Practice Right
You’ll need practice. But not the kind that endangers people. If you know where the track is going to be, head up there early and drive it. Take note of the corners and idiosyncrasies of the route. It won’t be perfect because you’ll be going a lot slower, but it’s something. See if you can take your car down to a track day. It’s different to rallying, sure, but you can get a feel for your car when its moving at high speeds. You’ll know what it’s like in the corners too and can iron out any issues you find with a mechanic before the race. If you really wanted you could sign up to an advanced driving course or a rally taster day where an expert can show you the ropes. Advice from within the industry is worth its weight in gold.
Get a Good Navigator
Remember rally is a sport of two halves. The driver, and the navigator. Don’t try to go it alone. Most reputable amateur courses won’t allow it anyway and its dangerous. You can’t focus on what’s coming next when you’re negotiating a tough corner etc. Find someone. Anyone can learn to do it and it’s a lot of fun. A good friend or family member is a good bet. Maybe you’ve found someone already, but if not, have a look at some of the forums online. See if you can get someone with a bit of experience, they can give you a jumpstart.