The 2008 Banbridge Leader Rogues Rally Navigation Rally has its emphasis on simple navigation, so competitors who don't want to have to work too hard at the maps should find it an enjoyable event.
This year's event uses a compact 70 mile route based on Rathfriland itself, using the local roads and lanes with the aim very much to make the event pleasurable for both driver and navigator. The event is a follow on from the 2008 joint Rallyschool with Newry and District and North Armagh Motor Clubs.
The 2008 Rallyschool attracted over 40 pupils who learned the secrets of how to get started in Motor Sport. The five-week course, which was held in October, included a table top rally which saw the crews complete a Rally without ever leaving the room.
This was followed up by a 20-mile practice rally that gave everyone an idea of what will happen on his or her first event.
A Navigation Rally is not a test of speed, but a test of map reading skills to enable the competitor to get from one checkpoint to another along a specified route.
To ensure that the crews have followed the correct route, secret checks are positioned along the way and penalty points are applied for missing or approaching a checkpoint from the wrong direction.
route
As well as sticking to the correct route, the entire event is timed to an average speed of 30mph and crews also accrue one penalty for every minute they are late at each check and two penalties for every minute that they are early, so the fastest driver definitely won't win an event.
The aim of the event is to plot the route, using the cryptic instructions provided at each checkpoint to get you to the next section where you will be given the next set of instructions, and the crew with the least penalties at the end of the event will be the winners.
Each event is divided into several classes depending on the experience of the navigator. The Banbridge Leader Rogues Rally will cater for experts (class one); semi experts (class two); beginners (class three) and Rallyschool pupils (class four).
This sort of event is where up and coming World Rally star Kris Meeke started off before ending up driving for Citroen.
On the evening of the event cars will be put through a basic safety check where they will be checked to see that they are road legal, beginning at 7pm in the Bowling Green car park, Rathfriland.
Crews will then proceed to documentation in the Old George Hotel were they will be given the map references of the main checkpoints for the event.
A drivers briefing will be held before 8.30pm and the cars will start at minute intervals from 8.46pm.
The first crews are due back at the Old George around midnight where supper will be available and the awards are presented as soon as the results are finalised.
Leader Editor Mark Weir said, "We are delighted to be involved with the Rogues Rally this year.
"The event reflects what we are all about – it's something different that gets the community involved – and hopefully the people of Rathfriland will come out to support the rally."