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Get ready to test your navigational skills and teamwork at the Automapic rally on October 4th! Hosted by the Kitchener Waterloo Rally Club, (www.kwrc.on.ca) this event is set in the picturesque surroundings of Stratford, Ontario. The rally kicks off at noon and should wrap up between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM.Competitors are encouraged to arrive early for registration, with online registration highly recommended to save time.$50 entry fee. For newcomers, a dedicated class will be held before the event to provide a solid foundation in navigational rally basics. absolutely new to this? Try the beginner. SNATR section that starts at the middle of the event at the St. Mary's Tim Hortons. $20 entry fee. Check KWRC's website for full details.
How Navigational Rallies Work
A navigational rally is a timed event where a team of two people—a driver and a navigator—follows a precise route using a set of instructions provided at the start. The best part? Any street-legal car is acceptable! No special gear is required for your vehicle. For the navigator, all you need is a clock, a clipboard, and a pen. While a GPS (or Google Maps) isn't required, it can be a helpful tool.
The navigator is the brains of the operation, communicating upcoming turns, road changes, and the target average speed to the driver. The driver's job is to focus on the road, obey all traffic laws and road signs, and maintain the requested speeds as closely as possible.
Along the designated route, teams will encounter a series of hidden checkpoints they must locate and stop at. These checkpoints aren't marked on any maps or provided in the instructions in advance; they are found by successfully following the course.
Common Rally Instruction Types
The Automapic rally uses several types of instructions, catering to three difficulty levels:
Beginner: Uses dead-easy instructions to help new competitors get a feel for the sport.
Novice: Offers easy instructions, a step up from the beginner level.
Expert: The most challenging level, requiring an advanced understanding of rally instructions.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the instructions you might encounter:
Tulips: A series of simple diagrams showing the path you should take. Each drawing represents an intersection or turn, with an arrow indicating the correct direction to follow. They resemble a tulip, hence the name.
Straight Line Diagrams (SLDs): These are diagrams of a long section of road. Key landmarks like intersections, bridges, or unique road features are shown in order, helping you stay on the correct road even with multiple turns.
Giant Tulip Maps: A series of interconnected tulip diagrams, often representing a more complex or longer section of the route. They provide a more comprehensive visual guide than individual tulips.
Maps with Marked Way-points & Notes: These are actual maps with the route drawn out and specific points marked. Accompanying notes provide additional guidance, such as road names or specific driving instructions.
Calculated Average Speed (CAS): This isn't an instruction type, but a crucial concept. The CAS dictates the average speed you must maintain over a certain section of the route. Checkpoints measure how closely you adhere to this speed. If you arrive too early or too late, you'll incur penalties.
We look forward to seeing you in Stratford! 🚗🗺️
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Stratford Ontario, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
