Road rallying is a countryside pursuit that has taken place all over the UK since the early 1960s. Essentially, it is orienteering in a motor vehicle on the public highway (and in some cases on private land with the land owners' permission).
If you have seen stage rallying ( i.e. the WRC) on television or on a computer game, then it is nothing like that! Stage rallying is a "fastest against the clock" type activity whereas road rallying is about following a precise route, obtaining proof from marshals at a preset time schedule governed by law. Competitors work-out the route based on navigational clues provided by the organisers. Most long term residents will have received rally "PR Letters" over the years as there are around three major events in Kent per annum with many unnoticed minor events throughout the year. The purpose of this on-line information is to expand upon the information in your letter and help to answer any questions you may have. The Powerush has been run in Kent since the 1970s. What does my PR letter mean? Your letter will inform you the approximate time that the cars will start passing your property and for how long. Ideally, they will pass one at a time at one minute intervals. The letter will also inform you of the direction that they are passing. Hopefully, none will get so lost they will be going the wrong way!
I have mislaid my letter! If you would like to be reminded of the time of the vehicles passing then please contact our PR Officer who will be pleased to confirm the details.
Is it legal?
What about insurance? Competitors are required to make a declaration that they are adequately insured at the event start when they "sign-on". They will not be permitted to start otherwise.
What sort of vehicles take part? A typical entry of say forty (40) vehicles will comprise road cars that are completely legal for the public highway. They are vetted or "scrutineered" at the start so that they comply with the law, they produce a current MoT pass certificate, Road Fund License and other documentation. Typical cars will be every day motor cars. They will probably have additional lights to help spot the safety marshals. Each vehicle will be tested for the sound it makes and not be allowed to start if it cannot comply with these strict requirements. What time of the day? Our rally starts from Ashford at 11.30pm on Saturday, November 25th and finishes in the Ashford International Hotel at 6am on November 26th where the crews and marshals will try to enjoy a well earned breakfast. This is the safest time of the day from the point of the least amount of traffic on the roads: it is much easier to see other road users at night.
What is the route? Only the organisers, Police and MSA know the route in advance. The point of the event is to work the route out using Ordnance Survey Landranger maps combined with organisers route instructions. Our route covers 150 miles between the start and finish although "as the crow flies" these are only a few miles apart. The route uses almost exclusively C class roads and some unsurfaced tracks and byways and visits many of the interesting roads between the two locations. How is the event timed? The route is broken up into a number of sections with a "Time Control" at the start and end of each section. The time allowed from one Control to the next is that for traveling at no more than 30 mph (despite the National speed limit often being double that). For example, a five mile section will have ten minutes allowed to complete it. Competitors are heavily penalised if they attempt to complete the section in less time. We also have the power to stop crews competing if they do not comply with this time schedule.
How will I know that they are competing vehicles? Each vehicle will display a "Rally Plate" on its' rear and near side rear windows with their competition number showing. Should you feel that a particular crew have misbehaved in any way then please note this number and contact the organisers above. Who is watching the crews? The organising team includes a sub-team of Driving Standards Observers. Their duty is to observe competitors and note any transgressions. This are reported and acted upon. It is very rare that we have to penalise competitors or report them to the Governing Body for further sanctions but we will do so if required. The local Police are also likely to monitor the event at various points on the route.
I have further questions If you still have unanswered questions then please make use of the contact details below: Sincerely, THE P. R. OFFICER www.powerush.co.uk With thanks to John Upham |