Rallying is a unique form of motorsport, with several qualities that stand out from the rest. Among them is the presence of a navigator or co-driver, who sits in the passenger seats and reads out instructions to the driver. But why do rally drivers need to have a co-driver?

The co-driver is necessary on a rally team to help perform reconnaissance of the course and prepare pace notes. While the car is on the course, the co-driver must communicate road features like turns and obstacles to the driver on time. While doing that, the co-driver also provides advice to the driver as needed. Lastly, the co-driver is also responsible for logistics like accommodations and fueling.

Keep on reading as we take a closer look at the responsibilities of a rally co-driver and how it goes far beyond just telling the driver when to turn.

Let’s get to it!

Reconnaissance and Pace Notes

The responsibilities of a rally co-driver start even before the rally begins. Typically before a rally, drivers and co-drivers are allowed to perform reconnaissance of the course to study the terrain. 

During that time, the co-driver will prepare ‘pace notes’ or short-hand notes detailing every turn and every critical aspect of the course. Reconnaissance, or ‘recce’, is critical because it allows the co-driver to take note of any hidden road features that might put the rally car in danger later on.

There is no standardised format that all co-drivers must follow. However, there are a few common styles that rally teams prefer, which are easier to understand on the fly, especially when the car is going through the course.

For rallies that do not allow reconnaissance, the organisers will prepare standardised notes instead. Still, the co-driver must be able to understand those notes, especially for when they’ll have to read them out loud during the rally.

Reads Pace Notes 

Most people recognise rally co-drivers for their actions while the car is making its way through the course. During this time, the co-driver will use the car’s internal communications system to read the pace notes to the driver.

The most challenging part for the co-driver isn’t just to read the correct notes. Besides that, it’s critical that the co-driver reads them at the correct time. Then, as the co-driver calls out turns and hidden road features, the driver must be able to understand the information and respond very quickly.

That way, the driver can navigate the twists and turns safely without wasting time or getting the vehicle stuck in a ditch, for example.

Suppose the co-driver reads the pace notes too soon or too late. If that’s the case, then the driver might get confused, or they won’t have enough time to respond. Either of these problems could cause them to lose precious time.

Provides Navigation Advice

Calling out twists, turns, and road features isn’t the only thing that the co-driver does. Besides all of that, the co-driver also provides navigation advice as well.

For example, the co-driver might tell the driver that they need to speed up or slow down as needed. The co-driver may also call out a warning to caution the driver if there’s a potentially dangerous road feature ahead.

Some people might even argue that the co-driver is actually the person in charge and that the driver is the one following instructions throughout the course. As you might expect, this is a highly debatable issue among rally fans.

Whatever the case might be, it’s important to remember that the rally course is never straight. So, the driver is not able to see the entire course from behind the steering wheel. The co-driver, however, can do that, thanks to all of the pace notes that they have prepared.

Another way of looking at it is that the co-driver is the ‘eyes and ears’ of the driver. With their pace notes, they’re guiding the driver through every step of the course.

Right Place, Right Time

In rallying, race teams are required to follow a strict time schedule. Unlike other forms of motorsports, you can’t have plenty of cars going through the course at the same time. Therefore, the rally car must be ready to start at a very precise time. If they arrive too early or too late, they will be penalised for it.

That’s another responsibility that the co-driver has: they must ensure that the car is at the right place, at the right time. That might involve liaising with the rally organiser and keeping up-to-date with any changes in scheduling or other problems that might arise.

Logistics

The co-driver is also responsible for other team logistics. For instance, the team will need to have overnight accommodations, refuelling, and servicing of the vehicle. The co-driver must be able to organise all of this efficiently to ensure that they can be ready and on time for their time on the course, whenever that might be.

Developing and Maintaining Rapport With the Driver

Even though this might not be on the co-driver’s official list of responsibilities, getting along with the driver is an absolute necessity. On the course, the two must work hand-in-hand to ensure that the car can reach the end as fast and as safely as possible. That means there must be a strong rapport between the driver and the co-driver to ensure that things go smoothly.

Besides that, the driver and co-driver must also be able to communicate well and understand each other clearly. The odds are that they won’t be able to hear each other that well, even with the in-car communication system, especially with the noise of the engine and the car going through rough terrain.

So, the two must be able to understand each other even when it’s challenging to hear what the other person is saying.

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