I'm sure everyone else will chime in, but to get started in rallying, my best advice would be to:

- Volunteer at a performance rally, or try and get on a service crew. You can learn tons by helping out and seeing what works and what doesn't. Lanark Highlands Forest Rally is coming up very soon (i.e. 2 weeks), http://www.lhfr.ca and volunteers are always needed!
- Do some TSD (Time Speed Distance) rallies. These are legal speed rallies done on open public roads, but you learn almost all the timing rules that are used in performance rallies as well. You'll learn how the rules of rallying go, how to deal with pressure situations, etc. There's a sticky at the top of the forum for the MLRC Mini-Rallies.
- When you have a hankering for driving hard, try a RallyX. These are low speed events usually held in Bancroft, Ontario, but they are MUCH lower prep than a performance rally. Basically get an extra set of tires (gravels preferred, but winters + tubes can be used too. You can usually get used gravels for cheap) and maybe a skidplate and go at it. MLRC puts on RallyXes as well, there should be a sticky at the top.

If you're still hanging in there, you may want to try co-driving as it's a LOT cheaper than driving. And you get all the speed thrills as well

I wouldn't recommend any particular car before you do some of the above to see what works and what doesn't, but IMHO, RSX no, Prelude no, Impreza maybe. One thing you'll have recommended is that you buy (not build) your first rally car, and I firmly believe that + 2WD. Bad things can happen, and you must be prepared to walk away from a car if you have to. Plus, most rally cars are sold for far less than their build cost.

Feel free to give me a call.  Due to work concerns I'm on a temporary hiatus from rally.  I have learned many lessons that some you have to learn yourself and others that should be avoided at all costs.

Mark
6.13.985.886.3

mo wrote on 06/27/11 at 10:48:47:

Hi, mo.

There are many navigational rallies in Ontario.  Dates and locations for most events in Ontario can be found on the Rallysport Ontario events calendar: http://www.rallysport.on.ca/index.php?fuseaction=site.details&id=518

This calendar includes dates for ORRC events (our provincial navigational rally championship), MLRC mini-rallies (club-level rallies generally near the GTA), and KWRC SNATR (Saturday Night at the Rallies) events (club-level rallies in/near Kitchener-Waterloo)

Also potentially of interest, MCO runs their club-level Open Road Rally Series from various locations around Ottawa: http://www.mco.org/cms/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=...

In terms of resources about how rallies work, the Navigational Rally Manual is an excellent summary of what you need to know as a new team: http://www.mco.org/cms/attachments/052_Navigational-Rally-Manual.ppt (7 MB)



BTW - if you're interested in doing some rallying with your vintage car, you might want to check out the Lindsay to Brighton Run organized by the Little Britain Motor Company in October: http://www.littlebritainmotorcompany.info/index.php?id=events&event=4#4

I did it a few years ago with my uncle in his Triumph.  It's for classic cars only, and the organizers use an all-tarmac route that's chosen to be easy on the cars.  Entry is free, but it's limited to 50 cars.  The instructions are simple - it's more of a tour than a rally - but it's still a fun event and a great excuse to go for a drive in the country with a classic/vintage car.