HOW TO (get involved in rallying)

Most famous rallies are special stage events and at a national level the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship is this country’s most significant challenge incorporating rounds across the British Isles.

The basis of such events - the special stage - is a stretch of road closed to all other traffic, which must be covered at a high average speed against the clock.

In most of Great Britain (the exceptions are Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Mull, the Channel Islands and the roads used by the Jim Clark Rally), public roads are not available for this purpose, so special stage events use private land, frequently Forestry Commission roads or disused airfields.

Linking the special stages are sections of public road, where the required average speed is low (usually 30mph or slower).

At club level almost any car can be used, in the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship they must comply with the regulations of the World governing body, the Federation International d’Automobile. At all levels cars must comply with strict safety guidelines laid out by either the FIA or the UK’s governing body, the Motor Sport Association.

All rallies are organised by motor clubs, of which there are over 350 in the British Isles. Each event requires careful planning by organisers and in the case of the British Rally Championship, several hundred marshals.

Most events welcome spectators and the rallies that form the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship are well established in the calendar, offering spectator packs, programmes, dedicated spectator areas and service areas where fans can get up close to the cars and drivers.

To get involved in rallying at any level the best place to start is by joining your local motor club or by visiting Go Motorsport’s website. This is a dedicated site run by the MSA and will help you if you want to compete, help or just watch.

To find your nearest motor club click HERE
To get involved in spectating click HERE
To get involved in marshalling click HERE
To get involved in competing click HERE