RE: RAC info?

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

well, not really.  the road stages *are* timed, in at least that the
competitors must be at the next service/special stage/parc ferme by a
certain time or accept road penalties, which are just as serious as any
other penalty.

this practice comes from the old days of rallying where the special stages
were just that, and the competitors travelled on public roads as fast as
practical between these "special stage" additional tests of skill.  the
timing issue was afaik, initially to ensure reliability and to prevent
competitors getting "refits" between special stages.

ironically, there has been much work in the last few seasons to ensure that
more of this happens, and so you get the sight of the driver/co changing the
tyres and looking forlornly under the bonnet at a recalcitrant engine while
the service crew looks on powerless to help...

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

	-----Original Message-----

	Date: Fri, 27 Nov 1998 07:44:39 GMT
	From: quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)

	In message <l03130301b28393b87222@[207.210.67.236]>
spokes@mail.the-wire.com writes:

	> Given the popularity of rallying in Europe, would it not be
accepted
	> practice to close down the roads in an effort of saftey? Mind you,
from the
	> RAC footage I've seen it probably wouldn't matter that much...why
do people
	> insist on standing at the OUTSIDE of a hairpin corner?! Boggles my
mind
	> really...

	About as popular as closing Route 101.

	These return legs are _NOT_ part of the timed rally.  All of the
timed
	sections are on closed roads - the great majority on private roads.

	All the drivers are doing, essentially, is driving from stage to
stage.
	It was once suggested that flatbeds should be required, but that
idea
	was felt to disadvantage the privateer.  Don't forget this is a
public
	entry rally - as well as the world stars, anyone with the
appropriate
	competition licence can enter.