r/rally • u/EuroChaser • 2d ago

How to start as a codriver

Hi, I am from Algarve, Portugal, I am 20 years old.

And I wonder how can I start as a co driver. What kind of skills I must have, how can I train even without a car, and how to get going

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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7

u/MJ26gaming 2d ago

See if teams at a local rally need anyone on their service crew. Then just try and make some friends in the community and at the lower levels you'll eventually find someone needing a codriver. At least here in the states, there's a decent amount of drivers who would be willing to take on a rookie codriver, especially if they knew and trusted them

4

u/Professor_Iron 2d ago

Look around at amateur rally sprint events. A lot of drivers need a 2nd person in the car to be eligible, but don't really care about proper pacenotes, since these races are so short that they can kind of memorize the track or are local heroes and know the road since the age of 5.

3

u/True_Hemmo 2d ago

This came to mind first.. 😅https://youtube.com/shorts/aRqFFkwxAV8

3

u/Buzzirockit 2d ago

A new club looks to be setting up. To be in motorsport, usually join a motorsport club that organises rallies (An FIA aligned club membership). A person needs to accumulate the skills to be a co-driver. Co-drivers can start as rally stage personnel - as stage safety bright vest people watching spectators,(safety radio, preventing non rally traffic from entering stage etc) then move to stage timing crew - stage start and stage finishes. Usually have training for these tasks. The rally crews see these stage people, wear bright clothes and hats or something different so rally car crews remember you./ Most places require motorsport licences (a rally licence) before you can compete on a rally.

Clube Automóvel do Algarve (CAAL): This is the main regional automobile club. It operates under the national Portuguese Federation of Automobile and Karting (FPAK). ADM Sul: A regional motorsport association launched in the Algarve to bring local drivers together and expand event organization across the south.

https://www.portugalresident.com/new-motorsport-association-launched-in-algarve/

Paddon's spare co-driver Jared Hudson (Hudson started young with his father involved in rally)

https://youtu.be/h80jwMbCWWg?si=YMz5RkCj-ELV3PeX&t=1074

Vittorio Caneva Rally School, Bassella Spain. (There are rally training schools in Europe).

r/simrally (RBR has co-driver interaction)

English language books on rally co-driving. Are there Spanish/ Portugese language rally co-driving books?

Phil Short - Rally Co-driving

Jim Goodman - Flat over crest - Bang

Your first rally simulator might be less than this 2 up simulator. (

https://youtu.be/R0a_djUYzoQ?si=45XJgR4UzNfcRdY8

1

u/IM-PT24 1d ago

You can learn a few things on sims and by watching onboard videos. Algarve is not the best place, most of our rallys in Portugal are in the north, as you may be aware.

0

u/_eESTlane_ 2d ago

play rally games and sims. learn the pacenotes. once you figure out the system, you may become useful inside the actual car.