SCCA RoadRally

SCCA RoadRally is the road rally program of the Sports Car Club of America. Local SCCA regions run events on public roads where teams of two, a driver and a navigator, follow route instructions and try to arrive at checkpoints at exactly the right time. SCCA calls it a scenic drive with a purpose and the least expensive form of motorsport.

How it works

Organizers plan a route months ahead, set average speeds below the posted limits, and write step-by-step instructions using distances, landmarks or clues, per SCCA’s guide. Cars start a minute apart. The first section calibrates each car’s odometer against the rallymaster’s. Hidden checkpoints time each team, and points are added for arriving early or late; the lowest score wins. SCCA says competitors should never feel the need to speed, and that the goal is precision, not risk.

The kinds of rally

Touring rallies, also called time-speed-distance events, focus on staying on time over easy-to-follow routes. Course rallies add rules for working out where the route goes, which SCCA calls chess on wheels. GTA rallies, for game, tour and adventure, have no average speeds or timing and score teams on answers to questions about what they see. Treks are non-competitive convoy drives behind a lead car. Classes depend on the timing and calculating equipment a team uses, not on the car.

Who it is for

Any street-legal, insured car can take part, per SCCA’s how-to page. It must pass a basic safety check: working lights, wipers, mirror, brakes including the parking brake, seat belts for each occupant, horn and roadworthy tires. A team needs two people; the driver needs a license. Under-18s may ride or navigate with a parent-signed minor waiver. Many events have novice or first-timer classes, and charity editions collect toys or books.

Events coming up

Regions post events on SCCA’s RoadRally calendar and register entrants through MotorsportReg. Upcoming examples include the Teddy Bear Toys for Tots rally in Hackettstown, New Jersey, the Children’s Book Run in McKinney, Texas, Drive the High Country from Santa Clarita, California, and the Frickland Frolick from Spring Valley, Wisconsin. Each event’s own page sets its time, fee and rules.

What it costs and how to join

SCCA says entry fees are typically under $40. Registration varies by event: online, by mail, or on site. For insurance reasons, at least one person in each car must be an SCCA member, either annual or a weekend member signed up during registration. SCCA recommends contacting the organizer with questions, and says teams new to rallying should tell someone at check-in.

The rules

Events run under the SCCA RoadRally Rules plus each event’s general instructions. SCCA’s pages describe events held on public roads within the legal speed limit, with no special car equipment required.