Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Our rallies are open to all abilities. Generally crews are made up of a driver and navigator (crews may share duties). Husbands and wives, parents and children, and just good friends all compete on our events.

Just about anything with four wheels of a specification built before the end of 1976. If a car was built in the late 1970s but is identical to an earlier car then it is almost certainly eligible. Some events have additional restrictions, and our Generations Rally accepts slightly later cars, so please check the brochure. If you are unsure please contact us. For categories see ‘How are cars categorised for competition?’ below.

If you haven’t done a rally before, we recommend starting with a shorter event to give you the opportunity to understand some of the basics involved. You might also consider marshalling opportunities with your local club to see an event in practice.

 

Before your first event with us, we can put you in touch with another crew who can help answer some of your questions and provide some friendly advice.

This depends on the category of event entered. Tulip roadbooks are the main form of navigation on all events. Carreras may use other simple instructions, but no map reading skills are required. For Rallies, and to a lesser extent Challenges and Marathons, simple map-based navigation may be needed on some sections. Special Tests are defined by clear diagrams.

 

The event brochure will detail the level of skill required and we are happy to recommend navigation courses for beginners.

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Event and car categories

Short, themed events, focussing on one or two specific regions. Simple to moderate Regularity Sections, and Tests at private venues.

All asphalt, friendly, sociable events, with hotels chosen for luxury, quirkiness, or for nearby rallying highlights. Between one and two weeks long, with two or three Regularity Sections per day. Tests featuring on most days, often on permanent race circuits.

Two to three weeks from/to a location that European crews can reach by car. Tests and Regularity Sections on gravel and unsurfaced roads. Time Control Sections may feature on a small number of days.

Longest and hence toughest of our rallies, with emphasis on exploration and endurance. Competitive Sections on a variety of surfaces. Cars usually shipped to start in far off, exotic, places.

Cars are categorised by the date individual technical specification were first built.

A Pre-war Cars of a specification built up to…
A1 Pioneer 31/12/1918
A2 Vintage 31/12/1930
A3 Post Vintage 31/12/1945
B Classic Cars of a specification built up to…
B1 Early Classic 31/12/1960
B2 Classic 31/12/1967
B3 Late Classic 31/12/1976
C Youngtimer 31/12/1985
X Special a car found at scrutineering to be ineligible in any other Age Category due to non-period modifications of a later specification date than allowed for the event.

Entering an event

Rallies are priced individually for a crew of two based on locations and length. Additional costs, such as car preparation, transportation, recovery, getting to the start and home, equipment, insurance and visas must all be considered.

Accommodation for the event is included in the entry fee, but if you require extra nights before or after the event, this will be your responsibility to arrange. Single rooms are available for a supplementary fee but may be limited at some hotels.

Included in the entry fee are group dinners most evenings and, on the majority of driving days, lunch and coffee halts will also be arranged in a variety of venues.

As well as accommodation and the majority of meals, it includes mechanical and medical support, parking, maps, metal or adhesive rally plates, door stickers, identity badges and the all important prizegiving dinner and awards.

Vehicle insurance is not included. Many insurers include this kind of event in their classic car policies, some do not. Mandatory Third Party Liability Insurance may also be required in specific countries outside Europe. We strongly recommend adequate travel, medical, breakdown and cancellation insurance to provide cover as soon as an event is entered.

 

The majority of our events do not need any kind of competition licence, and those that do are easily obtained. The event brochure and newsletters sent to entrants in the lead up to an event will provide information for any specific visas or other requirements.

A fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, high-vis jackets and a towrope are all mandatory. An oil-resistant groundsheet is required for events that park in historic areas. Other equipment may be needed for certain events, please check event brochure.

This is the entrants responsibility. We can offer advice and we also partner with CARS Europe who can provide quotations to transport vehicles. Please check the event brochure for details of specific requirements.

During an event

Scrutineering takes place before the start of a rally and is a physical inspection of competing vehicles to check they comply with the relevant Technical Regulations (sent to entrants before each event) and that they are carrying the specified safety equipment.

This depends on the category of event entered. For example Carreras are all asphalt events, whilst Challenges and Marathons include gravel and unsurfaced roads. The event brochure will give more detail and, where available, daily distances.

This depends on the category of event entered. The two main types of competitive section on all events are Regularity Sections and Special Tests.

 

Regularity Sections combine correctly following navigational instructions with accurately maintaining a set average speed – these are mostly undertaken on open public roads.

 

Special Tests are timed sections on private land, test tracks and race circuits.

 

On Challenges and Marathons there may be a small number of Time Control sections, which will be outlined in the event brochure.

 

No special safety equipment is required for any of these sections and they are linked together by more relaxed Road Sections, which form the majority of each day’s driving.

Our expert team of sweep mechanics follow the last car on the rally route and are equipped to help anyone they come across. Should a car need to be transported by truck we will help as much as we can, but all responsibility, including payment, rests with the competitor. We recommend all crews have knowledge of basic maintenance and repairs for their car, and consider any spares they may wish to carry with them on event.

We always have at least one doctor or paramedic on our rallies.

Membership and merchandise

You don’t need to be a Member to come along on one of our events. Membership is by invitation and only open to those who have completed a Rally the Globe rally. There is a one-off fee, but membership is lifelong.

 

Benefits include:-

  • Exclusive application period before each rally opens to the public
  • Printed bi-annual ‘Gazette’ newsletter which includes photos and reports
  • Welcome Pack of Rally the Globe branded goodies
  • Member-only events, such as our Cloverleaf rallies and social events
  • Consultation on new rally routes and locations

Unfortunately, we do not sell our merchandise, which is exclusive to rally entrants.

How to contact us

If you require any further information or advice please feel free to contact Rally the Globe – if we don’t know the answer, we will know someone who does.

+44 113 360 8961 info@rallytheglobe.com
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