You put on a good Regional RoadRally. Your teams have fun. They come back. You have a Rallymaster, some good roads, RoadRally Safety Stewards, Registration and social media support from those who know what they’re doing, and you’ve figured out how to make the event happen.
So, have you ever thought about making it a Divisional?
Maybe your first reaction is: Why would we want to do that?
We’ve heard the stories, too. More paperwork. More rules. More scrutiny. National competitors will show up, pick apart the rally, and protest something. Somebody from the National Events Committee (NEC) will be looking over your shoulder.
Whether those concerns come from personal experience, stories handed down through the years, or simply not knowing what is involved today, they’re worth talking about. Because making your Regional-sanctioned road rally a Divisional may be a much smaller step than you think.
What Actually Changes?
For starters, you aren’t suddenly committing your Region to putting on a National RoadRally.
You’re taking the rally you’re already producing and giving it Divisional status. That also makes your event eligible for the SCCA National RoadRally Championship points chase and gives competitors from outside your Region another reason to put your event on their calendars.
And the basic requirements aren’t particularly daunting. The Sanction Application is due 45 days before the event—the same as a Regional—with the General Instructions following soon afterward. There must be at least a $10 discount for SCCA members from the non-member entry fee. The sanction fee? Just $2.50 more than a Regional. A Divisional normally has a minimum of 90 miles and nine controls, although Sanction Exceptions are possible. Afterward, you submit results on the Official Results form within two weeks.
And here’s another difference that shouldn’t be overlooked: you get help.
The NEC assigns an experienced Liaison to your event. That person isn’t there to take over your rally. The Liaison is a resource—someone who knows the National program and can help you work through questions before they become problems.
Why Bother?
Perhaps the better question is: Why not?
Your regular entrants still get the event they enjoy. Your Region still gets to put on its rally. But now you’ve opened another door. Competitors interested in National Championship points may discover an event they otherwise wouldn’t have considered. Your local competitors get a chance to meet rallyists from other Regions. And someone who has always thought of themselves as a local competitor may discover that the broader RoadRally world looks pretty interesting from where they’re sitting. That’s one way a program grows—not by replacing the local event, but by giving it a larger reach.
Now Tell People About It
Divisional or Regional, nobody can enter a rally they don’t know exists. Set your dates early and submit your Sanction Application so the event gets onto the SCCA calendar while people are still making plans. That applies to entrants and other Rallymasters looking at open dates on their calendars.
If your Region uses a pre-registration system such as MotorsportReg, open registration early. Once people put an event on their calendar and register for it, they’re considerably more likely to actually be there. And if you don’t use a pre-registration system, consider changing that, for the same reason.
Think about whom you’re trying to attract, too—and tell them honestly what kind of rally you’re offering.
A pleasant Sunday drive on paved country roads appeals to a different crowd than an event featuring unpaved roads and a little more adventure. Don’t make entrants discover that distinction at the start line. Truth in advertising may occasionally sound like an oxymoron, but it’s pretty important in Road Rally.
Then spread the word beyond the people already on your mailing list.
Marque clubs are natural prospects. So are racers, Rallycross, and Solo competitors looking for another excuse to use their cars. People who enjoy numbers and precision may discover they make terrific navigators. Children of former rallyists sometimes have fond memories of riding around while Mom and Dad did this crazy sport. Social clubs may be looking for exactly the sort of one-day adventure you’ve created.
College bulletin board? Put up a flyer.
Auto dealer waiting room? Why not?
Facebook, Instagram, club website, email lists? Absolutely.
And if reels, stories, graphics, or social media aren’t your thing, the Regional RoadRally Development Committee can put you in touch with people willing to share what they’ve learned. Road Rally isn’t usually a spectator sport, so showing people why we do this sometimes requires a little creativity.
Still Not Sure?
Good.
Tell us why.
If something about making your event a Divisional gives you pause—paperwork, rules, competitors, protests, sanction requirements, or something else entirely—we’d rather hear about it than simply wonder why more Regions aren’t taking the step.
Some concerns may be based on how things worked years ago. Some may be misunderstandings. And some may point to things the National RoadRally program really does need to make easier.
That’s a conversation worth having. Meanwhile, take another look at that Regional rally you’re already putting on. You may be closer to making it a Divisional than you think.
Drop the NEC an email and let us help you get started: nec@scca.com.
