by Tenebris

Created on: December 22, 2009

The co-driver is the heart of the rally team. All co-drivers navigate, but that is only the beginning of their duties. In teams with a designated co-ordinator, the co-driver fields the regulations, writes up the pacenotes during reconnaissance (“recce”), and ensures the rally car adheres to the correct time schedule between special stages. In teams without a designated co-ordinator, the co-driver organises the entire team.

The duties of the co-driver begin as much as half a year before the actual race. Submission of the official entry form, with all the ‘i’s’ dotted and the ‘t’s’ crossed, is the responsibility of the co-driver, as is checking to make certain all received paperwork is correct and that the team is properly insured. The co-driver must learn the regulations, timing, and penalty systems for the rally, communicating them as needed to the rest of the team, and keep track of its overall timetable. Where there is no designated co-ordinator, it is the responsibility of the co-driver to book and confirm nearby accommodation for the crew throughout both recce and rally.

The co-driver is also responsible for publicity, especially where sponsorship is involved.

As the rally draws closer, the co-driver needs to brief the driver on its details, including stages (length and number) and road surfaces. Team schedules for movements, service, and recce must also be prepared, based on the rally’s roadbooks and service books and on the timetable for restricted recce periods. A movement schedule should also include emergency contingencies. The team co-ordinator can prepare the movements and service schedules, but the recce schedule is usually prepared by the co-driver.

For the rally itself, the co-driver acts as navigator and caller. A good co-driver should be able to describe any section of road in a timely and consistent manner almost as second nature. Rally drivers trust their co-drivers utterly. Accurate calling of the relevant details lets drivers concentrate on what they do best: driving.

For blind events (without practice or recce), the co-driver depends entirely on the roadbook, supplemented by 1:25000 maps. The co-driver should mark the route and stages on the map ahead of time, checking each junction against the information in the roadbook. The co-driver may add any information from the roadbook to the map. Where the map and the roadbook differ, the roadbook is usually more accurate.

For events which allow recce, the co-driver is responsible for writing up pacenotes, which summarise the details of each part of the route. A good co-driver will make note of every corner, junction, approach, distances, speeds, and even odd bumps in the road. Blind events will sometimes give out route notes which serve a similar purpose, but make no mention of anticipated speeds or driving lines.

When the medals are presented, driver and co-driver accept them together. Courteous co-drivers always allow their drivers to step on the podium first.

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