DMVR Road Rally Rules and General Instructions

The following pages establish the rules and define the terminology and abbreviations used in DMVR's Rally Championship Series. It is VERY important that you read and understand this complete document, as well as any Supplemental Instructions for a specific event which may modify or supersede portions of these general rules.

Introduction

A road rally (sometimes also spelled rallye) can take on many different forms, but in general it can be said that rallies are a form of motorsport where cars leave a starting point individually and are directed to follow a more or less complicated route to a finish point where the competitors gather (or "rally") together again. They range from the high speed events that comprise the World Rally Championship and SCCA Pro Rally series, to just-for-fun "gimmick" events that are more of a parlor game for adults played on a REALLY big board. While we too stage an occasional "gimmick" event, the type of rallies used for the DMVR Rally Championship will be limited to a combination of two classic forms of rally conducted at legal speeds on public roads with normal traffic; T.S. (Time-Speed) and Q&A (Question and Answer). Let us emphasize strongly that our rallies are NOT races! Any moving violation citation or written warning received by a participant, or any excessive speed or unsafe driving observed by rally officials, is grounds for total disqualification.

As you begin the event you will be given a set of Route Instructions that you will follow to complete the rally. These will include numbered instructions which define the points at which you turn, and the average speed(s) you are to maintain. This is the Time-Speed component of the rally, and the object is to maintain your average speed(s) as closely as possible so as to arrive at the final checkpoint at exactly the right time; neither early or late. To discourage unsafe driving, cars arriving before their scheduled time will suffer twice the penalty of cars arriving after their scheduled time. Since stop signs, turns, other traffic, etc. will affect your overall average speed, it's usually necessary to drive somewhat faster than the average speed given in order to arrive at the correct time. While in most instances the average speed will be below the posted speed limit, there may be sections where the average will equal or exceed the posted limit. In these cases there will always be a segment which follows where the average speed is sufficiently below the legal limit to allow you to make up time without breaking the law (and many of the roads used may be QUITE well patrolled!). Between the numbered route instructions there will usually be some questions and/or "fill-ins" that you must correctly complete based on signs and objects that you see along the route. This is the Q&A component. The winner will be the car with the lowest combined total points from time, fill-in, checkpoint and/or Time Allowance penalties (See "Scoring"). Remember, these are intended to be fun and safe events. We would also like you to keep in mind that because of the scenic nature of some of the roads we may be traveling that you will probably encounter a number of pedestrians, children, bicyclists and/or runners along the way. Please be alert and courteous.

The Rules

1. Entry Requirements

A. Teams

Des Moines Valley Region rallies are open to anyone, although a current SCCA membership is required in order to compete in the Season Championship. If a competitor chooses to join the SCCA during the course of the season, their finish position in the previous event will be counted toward the Championship. A rally team is comprised of at least two people; a Driver and a Navigator. In order to compete for season Championship points teams are limited to two people, although children age twelve or under with properly signed Minor Release Waivers may also ride along without violating this rule. If a team does not wish to compete for Championship points the number of passengers is only limited by the seating capacity of the vehicle entered. The Driver and Navigator must both fill out and sign the Entry Form for the event, and all entrants and passengers must sign the SCCA Rally Release and Waiver (#9719, 1/94 edition) at the registration table. Any minors in the vehicle must also have properly signed Minor Release and Waivers (see Section C below).

B. Driver

Drivers are required to certify that they hold a valid automobile operator's license for the state in which they reside as of the date of the event. For regional events such as this, a valid Learner's Permit is also suitable as long as the legal requirements for its use are met.

C. Minor Release and Waivers

If the driver or navigator is under the age of eighteen then they must have an SCCA Minor Competitor Release and Waiver (#9724, 6/92 edition) which has been signed by each parent/guardian with custody of the minor. A new Minor Competitor Waiver must be filled out for each event. If other minor(s) are to be present at the event or passengers in the entrant's car, but not actually competing, then they must have a current SCCA Minor Release and Waiver (#9717, 6/92 edition) on file or filled out at the event, again signed by each parent/guardian with custody of the minor. This waiver remains in force until the form is revised by the SCCA. The minor(s), or the person(s) responsible for them, must also sign the Rally Release and Waiver at registration on behalf of the minor(s). Both types of Minor Release and Waivers are free of charge and may be obtained in advance of the event by contacting the DMVR Rally Events Director.

2.   Vehicle Suitability

Since DMVR Road Rallies are conducted at legal speeds on public roads almost any street legal and properly insured passenger motor vehicle in good operating order (other than two-wheeled motorcycles) is suitable. The type of vehicle has little bearing on a team's ability to compete, and DMVR events have been won by everything from classic two seat sports cars to pick up trucks, vans and large sport utility vehicles. However, the rally committee and/or Rally Safety Steward shall have the right to refuse entry for any vehicle that would, in their opinion, be incapable of negotiating the course safely. In rejecting such an entry the committee and/or Steward must give the entrant immediate notification along with the option of securing a suitable vehicle.

3.   Vehicle Inspection

A. Requirement for Vehicle Review

Each vehicle entered in an SCCA Road Rally shall be subjected to a review of vehicle suitability and compliance with insurance requirements within the 24 hour period immediately preceding the start of the event, usually during registration on the day of the event. Such review may be by physical inspection or warrant by entrants, or a combination thereof.

B. Failure to Meet Inspection Requirements

Any vehicle failing to meet the standards required shall be banned from participating or be disqualified. The entrant of any vehicle initially failing to meet the requirements prescribed by the rally committee shall be allowed to remedy any deficiency and to re-submit the vehicle for inspection as the committee may direct.

C. Minimum Inspection Requirements

1) The inspection shall be conducted in accordance with standards prescribed by the rally committee. As a requirement, the following vehicle equipment shall be in proper operating order:

a) Headlights (high and low beams) and parking lights
b) Taillights and stoplights
c) Horn, windshield wipers and directional signals
d) Rear-view mirror
e) Footbrakes and parking brake
f) Tires (inspected for condition of sidewalls as well as tread)
g) Seat belts, securely installed for all occupants

2) In addition it is recommended that each car have on board, in an accessible location, the following items:

a) First-aid kit (Johnson & Johnson Auto First Aid Kit or equivalent);
b) Fire extinguisher of at least 2 B:C rating;
c) Tow rope or chain; and
d) Emergency warning triangles or road flares.

3) Car numbers shall not be placed on the windows of the car. The organizers shall not require any contestant to place any event or organization related material on any window. It is not necessary for competitors to remove any SCCA decal previously applied to side car windows.

4.   Insurance

A. Event Insurance Requirement

All SCCA-sanctioned events must be insured for Event Liability and Participant Accident coverage by the SCCA Event Insurance Plan. Coverage details can be found in the current copy of the SCCA Insurance Handbook, on the Insurance Poster and Certificate at registration for an event, or by contacting the SCCA Risk Management Department. The Event Chairperson shall not let the rally begin until assured by receipt of an appropriate insurance certificate that the insurance requirements have been met.

B. Insurance Application Procedures

The rules for completion and submission of SCCA Master Plan Event Insurance requests are found in the SCCA Insurance Handbook, and on the reverse of the Insurance Request form. Forms and Handbook are available from the Regional Executive, the Rally Events Director, and the Risk Management Department.

C. Competitor Insurance Requirement

Each owner/entrant must have a valid auto insurance policy covering the entered vehicle(s) with liability limits not less than $20,000/$40,000/$10,000. Entrants must warrant that their coverage meets required limits, and that the policy is in force on the date of the event.

D. Incident Reporting

The driver (or owner) of a vehicle participating in an SCCA Road Rally which is involved in an incident resulting in personal injury or property damage of any kind must report the incident to the Event Chairman or designated representative before the end of the event or as soon as practical thereafter. The Event Chairman or a designated representative is charged with the submission of the completed SCCA Incident Report and/or Blue Card and should file the report within 10 days of the incident with the SCCA Risk Management Department.

5.   Event Administration

A. Registration

Prior to the start of the event, registration will be conducted at the designated starting point of the rally. Please make sure that you arrive early enough to allow time for completion of registration prior to the advertised starting time of the rally. Registration shall consist of: completion of the event Entry Form by the Driver and Navigator; signing of the Rally Release and Waiver by all participants and passengers; payment of designated Entry Fees; verification of Minor Release and Waivers where necessary; verification of compliance with Vehicle Inspection Requirements when required; distribution of Event Supplemental Instructions when applicable; and a mandatory Safety Meeting for all participants. A copy of the SCCA Insurance Poster, the event Insurance Certificate, and the Rally Safety Steward's evaluation form for the event shall be posted at registration for inspection by participants.

B. Starting Procedure

Each vehicle will be assigned a starting time with a minimum interval of one minute. It will be at the discretion of the event organizers whether the participants begin under the control of a worker or at their own discretion. All occupants of the rally vehicle must have seat belts fastened throughout the event.

C. Odometer Check

All DMVR events will begin with an odometer check which will allow the teams to compare the odometer in their vehicle with the odometer used to calculate the official times for the event. This segment will provide a final mileage figure as well as interval mileages. This segment will be conducted as a Free Zone with a specified time to complete, rather than at an average speed.

D. Checkpoint(s)

All Checkpoint(s) for the rally, including the rally finish, will be indicated by a checkpoint sign, an example of which will be displayed at registration. Upon encountering a checkpoint sign the driver should slow and park as close as possible beyond the sign and any other vehicles already there, then wait for further instructions from the checkpoint crew. Checkpoints will close 30 minutes after the last car is scheduled to arrive. Stopping, or slowing to the point where the entrant constitutes a hazard to traffic (in the opinion of the checkpoint crew), within sight of a checkpoint is forbidden and the entrant's time will be taken at the point at which they stop or slow.

6.    Scoring and Penalties

All cars begin the rally with 0 points. Penalties will be assigned as described below. The winning vehicle will be the vehicle amassing the lowest total penalty points, with the other finishing positions being determined by an ascending order of their total penalty points.

A. Time Penalties

One penalty point will be assessed for each second you are late, two points for each second you arrive early.

B. Time Allowances

Due to the possibility of delays caused by vehicle or rail traffic, errors in course following, accidents, break downs, construction, or by the desire of one of the people in your car to take a "pit stop" for whatever reason, each car will be given the option of declaring a Time Allowance (TA). A TA form will be supplied with the Route Instructions for an event . TAs may be declared in one minute increments beginning with one-half minute (e.g. :30, 1:30, etc.) up to 15:30. The TA form must be completed prior to arriving at a checkpoint and must be immediately handed to the checkpoint worker. A TA will NOT be accepted for stops conducted within sight of, or at, a checkpoint. A penalty for use of a TA will be assessed which will be additional penalty points equal to the final time penalty points for that leg after the finish time is adjusted by the TA. For example: A team submits a TA for 3:30. If they had actually been 4:00 late, then their adjusted time for that leg after the TA would be :30 late, resulting in 30 time penalty points. Therefore their TA penalty would be an additional 30 points.

This penalty may be waived at the discretion of the organizers in situations where the entrants can prove that the delay was caused by external circumstances beyond their control such as railroad traffic, road construction, or traffic obstructions caused by, or assistance at the scene of, accidents not involving the rally vehicle. Mechanical failure of the entrant's vehicle, voluntary stops, or course following errors by the participants are not grounds for waiver of the penalty.

C. Fill-in Penalties

60 Points will be assessed for each incorrect fill-in (equivalent to one minute late), 30 points for a partially correct or misspelled fill-in.

D. Checkpoint Penalties

600 points will be assessed for missing, or failing to stop at a Checkpoint.

E. Panic Envelope

If you become hopelessly lost or confused, a "panic" envelope is stapled to the back of your instructions which gives the location of the post-rally gathering point. Opening the panic envelope incurs a penalty of 10,000 points.

F. Disqualification

1) If a contestant is judged by the rally committee to be guilty, or cited or given written warning by a law enforcement agency, of any of the following offenses, that crew shall automatically be disqualified:

a) driving while intoxicated;

b) consuming alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances prior to or while participating;

c) exceeding the legal speed limit; and/or

d) dangerous or reckless driving.

2) If a contestant is judged by the rally committee to be guilty, or cited or given written warning by a law enforcement agency, of any of the following offenses, that crew shall be disqualified or otherwise penalized:

a) in-motion traffic violations other than those described above;

b) being at fault in an accident; and/or

c) detrimental or unsportsmanlike conduct

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 Terms and Abbreviations

Special Notes On Turns:

1.    For purposes of our rallies; driveways, park roads, private, unpaved or gravel roads, roads which are barricaded or otherwise impassable, roads which have an illegal entry or require an illegal turn, roads which clearly end in a parking lot, plant entrance, or garage, as well as roads marked "Dead End", "No Outlet", "Not a Through Street", "Pavement Ends", or "Road Closed", DO NOT EXIST and should be ignored unless you are specifically instructed otherwise (as in R into Park)

2.   An "Opportunity" to turn is any paved public roadway (other than those listed above) that you may make a legal turn onto, in the specified direction, from the road you are currently on. For example, if your instruction reads simply L then you would turn onto the first paved public through street or road which intersects your road from your left. If your instruction reads R 2nd Opportunity then you would turn onto the second paved public road to the right, etc.

3.   Turns mandated by traffic regulations, or where you have no other option are not specified in your instructions and are to be assumed. For example, if your next instruction reads "R at T" and you are confronted with this situation:

You would turn right, but this would not count as your "R at T" since the gravel road doesn't exist. (See note # 1 above). You would continue to the next all paved "T".

4.   At no point will you be asked or expected to do anything in violation of traffic laws.

5.   All route instructions are to be completed in numerical sequence, regardless of fill-ins or questions. For example, if your instructions read:

32. R at T

"________________ Tire Company"

33. L 2nd Opportunity

You would turn left at the second paved public road after your turn at the T, not the second paved road after the tire company. This is critically important to remember!

6.   The execution point for an instruction that is referenced to a numbered route instruction will be as follows:

A) For instructions involving turns it shall be the point where the rally car initiates the turn.

B) For instructions (such as CASTs) which reference an object without requiring a turn it shall be the point where the front tires of the rally vehicle pass the referenced object.

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Course Following Priorities

You should make course following decisions based on the following sequence of priorities:

1. Obey the law.

2. Obey an emergency instruction from rally organizers.

3. Execute a numbered route instruction.

4. Continue on a road, street or highway you have been directed "onto".

5. Proceed as straight as possible on a paved, public road.

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These Rules and Instructions were last revised on 3/12/2000.
Converted to HTML on 3/12/2000

Questions, comments and suggestions should be directed to:
Ric Johnson - DMVR Webmaster
515-277-7350
E-mail to ricjohnsondm@msn.com

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Page Design © 1997-2003  Ric Johnson Productions
Last Revised on 2/6/03