• SCCA Detroit Region, Piotr Roszczenko

Think TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rallies are not fun? Think again. TSDs, also called Road Rallies, are unlike races in that they are not tests of speed. Road Rallies are a test of skill and precision. Teams consisting of a driver and a navigator are given a set of Route Instructions that define which roads to drive and the speeds to maintain. Rally teams are scored on how close to their ideal time they arrive at each checkpoint along the route. This may not seem all that exciting – but there are many challenges to the team members that keep things fun and interesting.

Following the proper course can be a subject of satisfaction (and sometimes frustration), as can the math calculations the navigator must perform to keep his/her team “on time.” The driver will often be challenged by the road conditions, the weather, and the speeds. Regardless, teamwork is essential to be competitive against the other teams running in the class.

There are classes for Novices who are just getting started in rallying (using the stock odometer and a handheld calculator). From there, classes are defined by the level of navigational equipment used. No matter which class a team chooses to run in, there is still the option to enjoy the drive or work hard to get good scores. Alternatively, you may want to start by working a rally. All rallies need control (checkpoint) crews. This is a great way to get an introduction to the sport.

While Road Rallies are run on open, public roads and at speeds no greater than the posted limits – road selection is essential to keep it interesting. Most of the better roads used on Detroit Region Road Rallies are unpaved. These roads may be sandy, muddy, snow-covered, or icy. Road Rallies can run under all conditions – rain, snow, hot, cold, and well after dark. Still think Road Rallies aren’t fun? Give it a try – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The Detroit Region’s RoadRally program is excited to announce a great calendar of TSD (time-speed-distance) rallies for 2023 in the upcoming weeks!

We saw lots of new faces and heard great chatter from folks having a rousing good time rallying. So grab your calendar and mark up some of these dates (heck, mark ‘em all!) and plan to come out to rally with us in 2023. This year’s rally calendar has events to run all over the state, including the Upper Peninsula for POR this year.

Be sure to visit the Region’s website and RoadRally pages periodically for current news and updates. For more information, please get in touch with Piotr Roszczenko via the contact information below.