In the world of rallying, driver and co-driver share an inextricable bond that cannot be overstated. If the driver is responsible for the physical control of the car, then the co-driver becomes the driver's eyes in the future, dictating the trajectory of the car long before the car turns into a corner. To an unprepared viewer or a newcomer to motorsport, the crew's speech sounds like an incoherent stream of numbers and sharp shouts, devoid of logic. However, behind this chaos lies the strictest coding system, developed over decades.
The speed of decision-making in a rally is measured in fractions of a second, and it is on the clarity of information transfer that not only the result at a special stage, but also the life of the crew depends. The navigator is reading sternogram (road book), which they compiled together long before the start of the race. Each number, each letter in this book has its own weight and meaning. Understanding what exactly the navigator is shouting allows the pilot to know in advance how tight the turn will be, whether there is a hole, a jump or a slippery section.
In this article we will break down the anatomy of rally teams so you can understand the essence of what is happening on the track. We'll look at the corner rating system, additional road characteristics, and technical terms used by the professionals. Knowing this language opens up a whole new understanding of rallying, transforming the noise into a harmonious symphony of handling.
Basic Turn Rating System
The basis of any transcript is the gradation of the steepness of turns. Unlike regular roads, where we judge the angle visually, rallying uses a digital scale. The most common system adopted in international rally racing (WRC) uses a scale from 1 to 6, with 1 being the tightest corner and 6 being almost straight but with a slight bend. It is important to understand that numbers are inverted compared to the intuitive expectation: the lower the number, the more dangerous and steep the maneuver.
The pilot must immediately respond to the command "One!", as this often means a 180-degree turn or a very tight hairpin, requiring a complete stop or extreme deceleration. In contrast, Team Six says that you can maintain a high speed with only slight adjustments to the trajectory. Between these extremes there are turns of medium steepness, which form the bulk of any special stage.
- 🏁 1 (One): A very sharp turn (hairpin), often requiring first gear or even a complete stop.
- 🏁 2 (Two): A sharp turn is usually taken in second gear with a sharp decrease in speed.
- 🏁 3 (Three): A medium turn, allowing you to take it in second or third gear without extreme braking.
- 🏁 4 (Four): A gentle turn, the speed is reduced minimally, often done in 4-5 gear.
- 🏁 5 (Five): A slight bend in the road, the speed practically does not change.
- 🏁 6 (Six): There is a barely noticeable bend, the car goes almost in a straight line.
⚠️ Attention: Different countries and championships may use alternative systems (for example, a 1-10 scale or letter designations). Before the start of the season, the crew must agree on a single standard in order to avoid fatal mistakes on the track.
Intermediate values such as "three and a half" or "four plus" are often used between the main numbers. This indicates to the pilot that the turn is slightly tighter or shallower than the standard value. This level of detail allows optimize speed passing the section without wasting precious fractions of a second on unnecessary steering movements.
Clarifying characteristics and modifiers
Just knowing the steepness of a turn is not enough. The road is a living organism that is constantly changing. Therefore, the navigator adds clarifying commands to the main figure. These modifiers describe the rotation geometry and pavement condition. For example, the command “Two left narrows” means that at the exit of the turn the road becomes narrower, which requires more careful positioning of the car at the curb.
Particular attention is paid to the type of rotation. There are "long" turns, where the radius of curvature increases, allowing you to accelerate on the exit, and "blind" turns, where the exit is not visible. For long turns the command "long" or "extended" is often used, and for blind turns it is an indication to be prepared for surprises. Description accuracy is critical here, since the pilot does not see what is hidden behind the horizon or forest.
The condition of the road surface is also dictated by voice. If there is sand, gravel or water on the asphalt, the navigator will definitely warn you about it. The command “sand inside” or “water on the asphalt” forces the pilot to change the apex point and operate the throttle more carefully. In mud rallies, commands about the rut are important: “deep rut” can hold the car, but “high rut” is dangerous because the car can toss or roll over when sliding.
The Secret to the Perfect Transcript
Professional navigators use a “double confirmation” system. First, a command is given to turn ahead (for example, “in a hundred meters”), then a clarification (“two left”), and the final execution command (“now”). This allows the pilot to mentally prepare for the maneuver in advance.
You can often hear the command "take care" or "cut." "Take care" means that you need to be careful with the edge, stones or ditch so as not to damage the suspension. "Cut" is permission or an instruction to cut a corner by driving onto the side of the road or grass in order to straighten the trajectory. These commands require the pilot absolute trust to the navigator, since execution often goes to the brink of a foul.
Hazards, jumps and elevation changes
Rallying is not only about turns, but also about vertical navigation. Hills, holes, jumps and ridges should all be reflected in the transcript. The most famous command associated with relief is “Cross” (or “Crest”). It means that at the top of the climb the road drops sharply down. At this moment, the wheels lose traction and control becomes impossible. The pilot must know about this in advance so as not to jerk the steering wheel in the air.
Jumps are described with an indication of their length and the danger of landing. The command may sound like "big jump" or "dangerous landing". If the jump is blind (you can't see where the ground is), the navigator shouts "blind" and the pilot relies only on his voice. There is no mistake here: landing early at high speed can lead to serious accident and damage chassis.
| Term | Meaning | Pilot action |
|---|---|---|
| Cross | A sharp change in the road profile | Do not brake on the ridge, keep the steering wheel straight |
| Pit (Dip) | Hollow in the road | Reduce the gas so as not to hit the bottom |
| Springboard | Artificial or natural takeoff | Control the departure angle, prepare the car for landing |
| wave | A series of small irregularities | Maintain high speed, do not brake at every |
Water fords deserve special attention. In a rally, this is not just a puddle, but a full-fledged obstacle. The navigator dictates the depth of the ford and the condition of the bottom. The "deep ford" command means that water may enter the engine if not prepared, or that the bottom is slippery. The pilot must select the correct gear to create wave pillow in front of the car and not stall.
⚠️ Attention: When passing through water fords, there is a risk of water hammer. If the navigator is not sure of the depth, he is obliged to use the “stop” or “check” command, since repairing the engine after water enters is the end of the race for the crew.
Distance and timing of commands
It is not enough to know what to shout, it is important to know when to shout. In rallying there is a concept of “distance to object”. The navigator counts the distance to a turn or hazard so the pilot can plan braking. The standard unit of measurement is meters or seconds, but counting “in…” is more commonly used (for example, “in fifty”).
The rhythm of the navigator's speech must match the speed of the car. At high speeds, commands are given more often and faster, in technical areas - more measuredly. There is a rule: the command for the next turn is given immediately after passing the previous one or even during it, if the area allows it. This creates a continuous flow of information that hypnotizes the pilot, allowing it to work automatically.
☑️ Checking communications in the crew
If the navigator becomes silent, this is also a signal. Silence usually means there is a straight ahead where you can speed up, or that the co-driver has become disoriented, which is your worst nightmare. In modern rallies they use intercoms (intercom systems) with noise reduction, but even they do not always save you from the roar of the engine and squealing tires. Therefore, diction must be delivered perfectly: briefly, loudly and clearly.
Specific commands and jargon
Each crew develops its own jargon, understandable only to two. However, there is a set of universal commands that are used everywhere. The word "Plus" means that the turn is longer or steeper than it appears. The word "Minus" is that it is shorter or simpler. The "Inside" command indicates that you need to press against the inside edge, perhaps even hitting it with the wheel to shorten the path.
The "Stop" command has a special status. In a rally, this is not just a request to stop, but an order for an emergency stop. It is used if there is a foreign object, an animal on the track, or if the navigator has lost his place in the road book. The pilot reacts to this signal instantly, regardless of speed. There is also a “Quiet” or “Careful” command, which precedes a difficult section that requires concentration, but not emergency braking.
- 🚧 Stone: A single stone on a trajectory that needs to be avoided or driven over carefully.
- 🚧 Vacuum cleaner: An area where there is a lot of dust from the car in front, visibility is zero.
- 🚧 Ice: An area where icing is possible, even if the surrounding area is dry.
- 🚧 Slice: Permission to cut a corner through grass or bushes.
You can often hear commands related to gear shifting, although in modern cars with sequential gearboxes this is done by the pilot himself. However, on older cars or in specific situations, the co-driver may shout "Gear!" or “Pull!”, suggesting the optimal moment to change gears, based on the sound of the engine and the sensations of vibration.
Psychology and interaction in the cockpit
The navigator's voice is the pilot's anchor in a world of chaos. When a car flies over a cliff, and there is slippery clay under the wheels, the pilot is in a state of extreme stress. At this moment, he does not analyze information, but reacts to reflexes. The navigator's tone of voice should be confident, calm and monotonous, even if the situation is critical. The panic in the navigator's voice is instantly transmitted to the pilot and can lead to an error.
Trust is the foundation of success. The pilot must believe that if the navigator says “six”, then there really is a straight line, even if visually it seems that there is a wall ahead. Psychological compatibility crew is often more important than technical training. Crews that have been performing together for years understand each other perfectly and even by intonation.
To create your own transcript, start with simple routes. Record on a voice recorder a description of a familiar section of the road, using numbers for turns. Try driving this section while listening to the recording and evaluate how accurately the description matches reality.
The interaction does not stop after the finish. The crews discuss each special stage, analyze errors in dictation or perception. “I didn’t hear about the stone,” “You said two, but there were one and a half” - such debriefing allows for improvement road book and synchronize the work of the brain and hands. It is this constant work on communication that makes rallying a unique sport where it is not the fastest car that wins, but the best team.
The main secret of the rally is not the reaction speed of the pilot, but the accuracy and timeliness of information from the navigator. The pilot controls the car, but the navigator controls the situation.
Can the navigator make a mistake in commands?
Yes, mistakes happen even among pros. If the navigator loses his place in the book, he must immediately say “Stop” or “Silence” so that the pilot slows down. Continuing to dictate "at random" almost always leads to an accident. In such cases, the crew loses a lot of time, but remains intact.
Are tablets used instead of paper books?
In modern high-level rally racing (WRC), the use of electronics for navigation and transcripts is limited or prohibited in order to preserve the traditional spirit of the sport. However, in amateur series, tablets with GPS tracks and digital books are becoming the standard, as they are more convenient and reliable.
How does the navigator understand where the car is?
The navigator constantly checks the speedometer (or odometer) with the marks in the road book. In addition, he senses overloads and knows the approximate time to complete sections. An experienced navigator “feels” the car as well as the pilot, guided by the sound of the engine and the nature of the roll.
What are "Pace Notes"?
Pace Notes are a transcript, notes made during reconnaissance (driving the course before the race). This is the crew's personal code, which the navigator reads during the race. Without pre-registering pace notes, participation in the rally is impossible.