Michelin Tire Corporation
PRO Rally is a form of high speed auto racing. The sport is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). SCCA's National PRO Rally series, the SCCA/Michelin PRO Rally championship, is based on the sport of World Rally, which is flat out racing against the clock, one vehicle at a time, on courses which range from desert to unpaved logging roads. U.S. PRO Rallies are run primarily on established National or State forest roads -- a rally never blazes its own trails. If environmental damage occurs, organizers make and/or pay for necessary repairs or restoration.
A PRO Rally event is made up of a number of short races, or "special" stages, over roads which are closed to the public. A special stage can be anywhere from half a mile to over 25 miles in length. A typical SCCA National event consists of 8 - 25 special stages totalling at least 75 miles. Most events include night stages, making it necessary for competitors to use auxiliary lighting and to adjust their driving techniques. The special stages are connected by public road "transit" stages which are traversed at legal speeds. The cars start at one minute intervals and race against the clock. Speeds of more than 120 miles-per-hour can be reached on the long straight-aways. The team achieving the fastest combined times wins the event. Teams are grouped into classes - Open, Group 5, Production GT, Group 2, and Production - providing exciting competition in all types of cars.
Each team is made up of a driver, a co-driver (or navigator), and a service crew. The driver is responsible for making the car go fast and for keeping it on the road. The co-driver is responsible for making sure that the team is where it is supposed to be and for warning the driver of upcoming hazards in the road. The co-driver has a route book which describes the course and any hazards which may be encountered along the way. The co-driver uses a computerized odometer to keep track of where the team is on the course. In North America, the exact course is kept secret until just before the event. The co-driver gets a copy of the route book less than 24 hours before the start of the race. The team is not allowed to drive on the course roads before the race. This policy is different from the sport of World Rally. In World Rally, the teams spend two weeks prior to the race practicing the course and making pace notes. The service crew is responsible for getting the service vehicle (filled with gasoline, spare tires, spare parts, and tools) to the designated service areas in time to meet the team during the designated service breaks. Service breaks are generally scheduled after three or four special stages or after 65 miles of travel (combined special stages and transit stages). It's always helpful to have a service crew with good mechanical skills to help fix the problems which occur during the race.
Rallies occur all over the US and Canada. The 1998 SCCA/Michelin PRO Rally National Championship consists of nine events, covering most of the US: from Maine to California. The season starts in the wet forests of Washington State in March, and will finish in the remote ranges of northern Michigan in October. The CARS Performance Rally Series consists of eight events across Canada. In addition there are many divisional rallies throughout the US and Canada.
PRO Rally teams come from all over the U.S. and Canada, and events often attract a few contenders from Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Players come from all walks of life. There's a fairly large contingent of folks from auto-related industries, but there are quite a few people who work in law, medicine, finance, accounting, and computers.
Local PRO Rally organizers - usually former rallyists - coordinate the course route, arrange up to 300 volunteer workers, and work with the local town and the forest service to ensure a good event. More than 500 people bring up to $2 million into the community during a typical PRO Rally weekend.
PRO Rally cars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and power. All vehicles must be based on a standard model built by a recognized automotive manufacturer. All vehicles must be street legal. Participants contend for positions overall, and for positions within their particular class. The class structure for this year is as follows:
The unrestricted four-wheel-drive class. This class allows 4WD, turbo charged engines, and extensive modifications to the engine, brakes, and suspension. Any car which does not conform to any other class must compete in the Open class. Popular cars in this class include the Audi Quattro, Toyota All-Trac, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Subaru Legacy, Mazda 323 GTX, and specially manufactured 4WD cars (like Paul Chioniere's Hyundai Elantra and Carl Merrill's Ford Escort Cosworth).
An open class for two-wheel-drive cars with engine displacement over 2400cc. This class allows rotary engines, turbo charged engines and extensive modification to the engine, brakes and suspension. Any 2WD car which does not comform to any other class competes in this class. Popular cars in this class include Dodge Charger/Shadow/Omni Turbos, Mazda RX7, Saab Turbo, Porsche Turbo Carrera, Toyota Supra, and 2WD Mitsubishi Eclipse.
An open class for two-wheel-drive cars with engine displacement under 2400cc. This class does not permit rotary engines or turbos. Extensive modifications are permitted to the engine, the suspension, and the brakes. Popular cars in this class include VW GTI, 2WD Toyota Corolla, and Ford Escort GT.
A restricted class for two or four-wheel-drive cars with adjusted engine displacements over 2650cc. All Production GT vehicles must have been offered for sale in the United States. This class allows rotary engines, turbo charged engines, and 4WD, but it does not allow modifications to the engine. Limited modifications are permitted to the suspension and brake systems. Modifications are limited to improving safety and reliability. It is essentially a show room car. Popular cars in this class include 4WD Mitsubishi Eclipse, Audi Quattro, and Toyota All-Trac.
A restricted class for cars with a maximum adjusted displacements under 2650cc. The adjustments pretty much rule out turbos, rotary engines, and 4WD. All Production vehicles must have been offered for sale in the United States. Modifications are limited to improving safety and reliability. Popular cars in this class include VW GTI and Ford Escort GT.
Last refreshed: 03 25 00