Hello all,

Been interested in rally a long time and now finally want to try some of the beginner navigational rallys around ontario.. so I had a question..

For some of the TSD rallys which are on paved and/or non-paved roads.. am I crazy for wanting to enter with my brand new ride?

I guess I'm wondering if any, how much damage, flying rocks, gravel etc. I should expect going into some of these events.. should I kiss my paint goodbye?

Also I find that even in all the navi-rally photos everyones running subies and the like..  Would I be crazy driving a fwd GTI in lets say.. a winter road rally? (somewhere in the future of course) Or am I good to go with a dedicated set of good winter tires?

thanks!
hope to start meeting some folks out there

If your car is low, the skidplate issue is significant. Since you mentioned a GTI, I think all newer VW's have cast aluminum oil pans, so they break real easy.

Good winter tires are a must!!!

Not everyone that enters winter rallies drives a Subaru, It just seems that way.

Like anything else if you are going to play at the sharp end (running in the top 10) you are going to have to be well prepared.

The other option is to buy a winter beater and drive that. Remember there is a competitor that routinely runs in the top 5 with an 85 Tercel (FWD). It is about driving on time and on course.

Just to somewhat summarize: to start in a mini-rally, raliette, or regular day ORRC event, you can use your daily vehicle with no more fears than going to work: if you're a crazy driver, you might do a crazy thing, on a rally just like in regular driving; but if you're a normal driver, there's no need or requirement to do anything extraordinary for the first few events at least.

You can come and test the waters equipped only with curiosity and sanity (but do read up a bit on navigation and rules unless you enjoy being lost for hours ); after you try a few regular rallies, meet some folks and decide to get serious about it, you can discuss some options and priorities with us. The overnight winter drivexes are definitely not for the unprepared (in terms of vehicle, skills & attitude), and most organizers won't allow inexperienced people anyway (I think Lanark, which is still on gravel, requires three TSDs under your belt; not sure how Ontario Winter Rally works).

FWD GTI is certainly no crazier of a vehicle than a RWD pickup truck, or a family minivan, for most TSDs. And Ontario Winter Rally, one of the more challenging winter drivexes, keeps being won by this pesky guy in a 1984 Toyota Tercel. Station Wagon....
So come on out and have some fun

I've run my 1986 Volvo 240 in three OWRs, two Lanarks and a bunch of rallycrosses with no skidplate.  However, the oilpan is way back away from the front death zone, unlike a VW GTI.  I now have a skidplate.  

For navexes, no worries at all.  For drivexes and rallyX, be smart and don't drive beyond your abilities.  Get the right tires for the conditions and a skidplate and give 'er.  Just get a little experience first.  Drivexes are where you get to really have fun.

Nate