Bragging Rights Only: The Exciting World Of Rally Racing
While automobile rally racing has attracted global fans for more than a century, a fast and furious form has become increasingly popular within the past few decades. A growing cadre of non-professional drivers in the United States participates in special events where they race their autos on closed-off rural roads. Most of these drivers build their own racers, which rules dictate must be modified street-legal productive autos. There are no cash prizes for the majority of events – the entire satisfaction comes from the effort and the opportunity to earn bragging rights.
Choose Your Flavor
The sport of rally racing attracts three types of participants:
- Drivers, mechanics and support teams
- Event volunteers
- Fans
If your desire is to compete, the only requirement is to sign up and show up with a qualified vehicle. The demanding process of a rally car build can take years and a great deal of money. A large percentage of the drivers and their helpers spend months working nights and weekends preparing, modifying and repairing their cars. Unlike the professional racing circuit, there are few major sponsors, and many a racer is built on a shoestring.
Instead of spending those long hours on a rally car build, many choose to simply buy a used rally car. That has created a significant opportunity for those who wish to spend all their time in the rally racing world. Since the modifications are subject to strict rules and safety requirements, you may find this route a smart, though costly, shortcut to the sport.
An alternative to being a driver is participation as a rally volunteer. A number of local and regional rallies attract large crowds, and the work to organize and run them requires hundreds of volunteers. You can choose to work just at the event or get involved with everything from qualifying the entrants to working on logistics and promotion.
A popular position many volunteers work towards is being certified as an official. If you love cars and racing, but don't want to or can't drive, you'll find it rewarding to serve as a volunteer. You will work as an insider with the teams and be right in the middle of the action with the opportunity to meet all the players.
Of course, every sport is there for the fans, and rally racing has some of the most avid of fans and supporters. As with NASCAR racing, you can make a weekend out of a rally. The fun includes setting up your camper or tent for tailgating and then standing only feet from the cars as they whiz by. Since the races are held on regular roads (officially closed off for a period of time) instead of special tracks, you get a strong dose of realism and speed as you line your chosen part of the course.
Fan, volunteer or driver, you'll find rally racing provides the thrills and chills you want when fast cars are pushed to the limit by talented and daring drivers.
For more information, contact a business such as Ralli Candi.
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