Editing Rallying (section)

== Characteristics of a rally ==

=== Itinerary ===
[[File:Australia_Classic_2015.jpg|thumb|Start point of a regularity road rally]]
All rallies follow at least one '''itinerary''', essentially a schedule of the points along the route that define the rally. A common (single) itinerary may begin and end with a '''ceremonial start''' and '''finish''' that confirm the bounds of the competition. Many rallies’ itineraries are divided into '''legs''', usually corresponding with days on multi-day rallies dividing overnight rest periods; '''sections''', usually between ''services'' or ''regroups''; and '''stages''', individual point-to-point lengths of road. A '''loop''' is often used to describe a section that begins and ends in the same place, for example from a central service park.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=WRC A-Z |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/more/about-wrc/lexicon/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=WRC - World Rally Championship |language=en}}</ref>

A '''time control''' is usually found at each point on the itinerary, a '''timecard''' is carried by the crews and handed to an official at each control point to be filled in as proof of following the itinerary correctly. As crews start each leg, section and stage at '''intervals''' (for example of two minutes), each crew will have a different '''due''' or '''target time''' to arrive at each control, with penalties applied for being too early or late.<ref name=":0" />

Long rallies may include one or more '''service''', a window of time where mechanics are permitted to repair or prepare the car. Outside these services only the driver and co-driver can work on the car, although they must still respect the timing requirements of the rally. A '''flexi-service''' allows teams to use the same group of mechanics with flexibility in the timing, for example if two cars are due to arrive at two minute intervals, the second cars' 45 minute service can be delayed whilst the first car is serviced. During overnight halts between legs cars are held in a quarantine environment called '''[[parc fermé]]''' where it is not permitted to work on the cars.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Citroën C3 WRC Glossary {{!}} Learn More About The WRC |url=https://www.citroen.com.gh/citroen-universe/citroen-racing/glossary/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Citroën Ghana |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Rally Terminology – Legend Fires North West Stages Rally |url=http://www.northweststages.co.uk/spectators/rally-terminology/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Other examples of features of an itinerary include '''passage controls''', which ensure competitors are following the correct route but have no due time window, the timecard may be stamped or the cars may be observed by officials. '''Refuel, light fitting''' and '''tyre zones''' allow competitors to refuel, fit lights for ''night stages'' run in darkness, or exchange used tyres for new. '''Regroups''' act to gather competitors in one location and reset the time intervals which may have grown or shrunk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Event |url=http://www.historicroadrally.co.uk/hrcr/navigation/ng3.htm |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.historicroadrally.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-27 |title=WRC itineraries by the rule book |url=https://itgetsfasternow.com/2019/02/27/wrc-itineraries-by-the-rule-book/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=It Gets Faster Now! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BSCC INFORMATION FOR REGROUP CONTROL OFFICIALS |url=https://bscc.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Re-Group-Information-2020.pdf}}</ref>

A '''road book''' may be published and distributed to competitors detailing the itinerary, the route they must follow and any supplementary regulations they must follow. The route can be marked out in tulip diagrams, a form of illustrating the navigational requirements or other standard icons.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=ROADBOOK USER GUIDE |url=https://storage-aso.lequipe.fr/ASO/motorSports_dak/lexique-lecture-rb-fr-uk.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 DAKAR ROAD BOOK LEXICON |url=https://storage-aso.lequipe.fr/ASO/motorSports_dak/lexique-dk21-v3.pdf}}</ref>

=== Special stage ===
{{Main|Special stage (rallying)|Power Stage}}
[[File:Rali_de_Castelo_Branco_2017_DSC_5297_(32564588084).jpg|thumb|Start line of a special stage, the end of the start line zone is marked by a board]]
Special stages (SS) must be used when using timing for classifying competitors in speed competitions. These stages are preceded by a time control marking the boundary of a road section and the special stage. The competitors proceed to the '''start line''' from where they begin the special stage at a prescribed time, and are timed until they cross the '''flying finish''' in motion before safely coming to a stop at the '''stop control''' which acts as a time control for the following road section and the place for the crews to find out their time of completing the stage. To avoid interruptions and hindering other competitors the road between the time control and the end of the start line zone, and between the flying finish and stop control are both considered as under parc fermé conditions, crews are not allowed to get out of their car.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=2022 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP – SPORTING REGULATIONS |url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/wrcsr_2022_22-03-22_blue_updates.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

A '''Super Special Stage''' runs contrary to the ordinary running of a special stage, the reasons for which should be explained in the supplementary regulations. This may be where head-to-head stages are run in a crossover loop style, or if a short asphalt city stage with [[Doughnut (driving)|donuts]] around hay bails is run on a gravel rally for example.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" />

A '''Power Stage''' is used in the WRC and European Rally Championship, it is simply a nominated special stage that alone awards championship points to the fastest crews.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" />

A '''Shakedown''' is often included in an itinerary but does not form part of the competition. Crews can do multiple passes of a special stage to practice or trial different set ups. In some championships, a '''Qualifying Stage''' may also run alongside a shakedown to determine '''road order''', the order in which competitors will compete.<ref name=":0" />

=== Recce and pacenotes ===
{{Main|Pacenotes}}
[[File:Pacenotes.jpg|thumb|Example of notation used in special stage [[pacenotes]]]]
Pacenotes are a unique and major tool in modern special stage rallying. They provide a detailed description of the course and conditions ahead and allow the driver to form a mental image beyond the visible to be able to drive as fast as possible.<ref name=":2" />

In many rallies, including those of the World Rally Championship (WRC), drivers are allowed to run on the special stages of the course before the competition begins and create their own pacenotes. This process is called reconnaissance or recce and a low maximum speed is imposed. During reconnaissance, the co-driver writes down shorthand notes on how to best drive the stage. Usually, the drivers call out the turns and road conditions for the co-drivers to write down. These pacenotes are then read aloud through an internal intercom system during the actual rally, allowing the driver to anticipate the upcoming terrain and thus take the course as fast as possible.<ref name=":0" />

Other rallies provide organizer-created "route notes" also referred to as "stage notes" and disallow reconnaissance and use of custom pacenotes. These notes are usually created using a predetermined format, from which a co-driver can optionally add comments or transpose into other pacenote notations. Many North American rallies do not conduct reconnaissance but provide stage notes due to time and budget constraints.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090203131957/http://www.rally-america.com/glossary.php Rallying Glossary]}} Retrieved 13 August 2006.</ref>

=== Service park or bivouac ===
[[File:2016_Rally_Germany_003.jpg|thumb|WRC Service Park at [[2016 Rallye Deutschland|2016 Rally Deutschland]]|right]]
Though not necessary for all rallies, many road rallies have a central service park that acts as a base for servicing, scrutineering, parc fermé and playing host to Rally Headquarters, where the rally officials assemble. Service parks can also be a spectator attraction in their own right, with opportunities to meet and greet the crews and commercial outlets providing goods and services. If the rally is of the touring A to B kind there may be multiple service parks that may be very small and only used once each meaning teams carry as little as possible for simple logistics purposes. A remote service is a small service used once when there are stages far away from a central service park.<ref name=":0" />

In off-road cross countries the service area and support teams may travel with the competitors along the route in a Bivouac. The word means 'camp' and many participants indeed sleep in tents overnight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-18 |title=Doing a Rally Race as a Beginner: Bivouac Basics // Cross Country ADV |url=https://crosscountryadv.com/doing-a-rally-race-as-a-beginner-bivouac-basics/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Cross-Country Adventures: RALLY+ADV Equipment |language=en-US}}</ref>