Scatter
Please note that this is only a brief outline of
what is involved. Our club nights are a great source of information and there
will always be someone who will answer any questions you may have.
Scatter Rallies, 12-Car
Rallies and Road Rallies are all similar in nature with Scatters being regarded
as the simplest form of rally with 12-Cars next and Road Rallies the most
difficult. It follows therefore that the requirements for vehicles, paperwork
etc. are also similar.
What is
it?
A navigational test held on public roads, usually
on a weekday evening.
You arrive at the start, which is usually a local
hostelry, and are given a sheet with thirty or so clues to points on an
Ordnance Survey Map.
The idea is to visit as many of these as possible
in the available time and collect the answers to the clues (eg
a fire hydrant number or the total mileage on a sign post).
Once you have collected as many clues as possible
you return to the finish with the answer sheet before the time limit to avoid
penalty points for lateness. You can go around the clues in any order so the
skill is not only in solving the clues to put the points on the map, but also
to plot the best route through the points.
What do I
need to get started?
Age
17 to
drive, 16 to navigate.
Paperwork
For
drivers a valid driving licence and a club membership card. For
navigators a club membership card and an Ordnance Survey 1:50000 map of the
area
Vehicle
Any road legal taxed,
insured and MOT’d car is acceptable.
Useful
items/modifications
A navigator to help plot
the points and tell the driver where to go (spouses, girl or boyfriends are
usually good at this!).
A map light for the
previously mentioned navigator.
A piece of wood to put
under the jack if you need to change a wheel, as you are likely to be using
some obscure lanes.
What will
it cost
Entry fees are currently £10 an event, which
usually lasts a couple of hours. You will need enough petrol for about 50
miles.
What can
I enter
The club runs an evening
series consisting of 6 rounds during the winter, and has a reciprocal agreement
with other local clubs which allows our members to compete on their events as
well.
The down side - possible pitfalls.
Due to the nature of the
event the navigator can suffer from varying degrees of carsickness.
You will be driving on
narrow roads at night so while it is possible to use a large car it can make
life a little awkward.
The state of some of our
roads does also mean that it is possible to pick up a puncture.
The event is on public
roads so you have to be aware of
other road users and abide by any traffic laws and speed restrictions, and
there will often be club officials checking this.
If taking a spouse, girl
or boyfriend as a navigator it can cause a certain amount of stress when things
do not go according to plan!
As with any form of motor sport, although they are
rare, accidents can happen. You must be aware of the risks and accept them, if
you are to compete.