Common Rallycross Misconceptions Debunked
When you are thinking about getting into any new activity, it can be really hard to know where to start but motorsports can be especially intimidating. You may feel like you need to replicate what you see in WRC in order to be able to start.
Even though we tout rallycross as the entry point to rally, many drivers think that they aren’t ready, good enough or that they need a special car before showing up. Instead of us telling you that’s not true, we put it out to our competitors to share the misconceptions that they had prior to their first rallycross.
It’s expensive.
Rallycross is not free but it is definitely the most cost-effective type of rally out there. Races will cost you $100 or less plus the cost of getting there. There are a lot of things that help you keep your budget in check with RX like camping onsite at the venue and bringing your own food/drinks (plus, there aren’t always stores and restaurants around RX venues).
You will want to factor in the cost of general repair and maintenance before/after each event as well but if you keep up on the care of your car, you can ward off tons of large, expensive issues.
People who race are cool and won’t want to talk to me. ~OR~ I won’t know anyone and it will be awkward.
Rally people are the best people so when you show up to your first race, get ready to meet 100 of your new best friends. Introduce yourself to the people next to you in paddock and it’s all downhill from there. Have a question? Ask anyone. Forgot to pack something? Ask anyone. Want to know more about someone’s car? Ask. Don’t feel comfortable introducing yourself or asking questions? Don’t worry… others will introduce themselves to you. #sorrynotsorry
I have to practice before I can race.
Before you go ripping around forest roads or other public roads (which is dangerous and can give the sport a bad name), read this: NO PRACTICE NECESSARY. You do not need to have any experience under your belt before your first event and here’s why:
Rallycross is a race against the clock which means you are out on the course by yourself. No need to worry about other cars hitting you (or vice versa), getting lapped or somehow being in danger because you’re new.
The track is marked with cones so even if you make a mistake, you’re just hitting a cone (not a 100 year old tree).
We give you time at each event to walk the course and then one parade lap to drive the course at slow speed. Walking the course and the parade lap will prepare you so that the course is familiar when you start racing.
If you do want some practice and coaching prior to racing, check out the school at Dirtfish. They have classes for all levels and will help you get more comfortable, give you pointers on technique/car control and you’ll get great seat time.
A co-driver is required.
In stage rally, you have a co-driver/navigator sitting in the passenger seat reading off notes to you as you race through a forest. Rallycross doesn’t require a co-driver because you will have a great line-of-sight throughout the course, the speeds are a bit lower and you aren’t at risk of going off a cliff.
If I want to win, I need to buy a fast car.
Rallycross courses are focused on technical skills. The most successful drivers are the ones who can navigate these technical elements without hitting many (if any) cones. Hitting a cone causes you to receive a 2-second time penalty. Having a fast car can give you an advantage in the straightaway sections of a course but that advantage can quickly disappear if you’re sloppy on the rest of the course and the penalties start to pile up.
Our best recommendation is always to start with what you have or buy something inexpensive to start. Don’t spend a lot on a car for rallycross until you’ve attended some events, hopefully as a competitor. Once you have raced a few times, you will know more about the class you want to race in, where your skills are and where you have room to improve.
Interested in getting started in rallycross? Check out our new competitor guide that has all the information you will need to get going.
And as always, email us if you have any questions!