Rallye-Donia

Rallye-Donia 2025 has a route based around the Campsie Hills. The rally, however, has a couple of surprises. Firstly, this will be a Regularity Rally run during the day. Secondly, it will be used to promote the use of standard electric vehicles, so will be open to fully electric (BEV), Plug-in Hybrid (pHEV) or hybrid (HEV) vehicles.

A Regularity Rally consists of a number of competitive sections linked by relaxed road sections. On the competitive sections two-person crews are required to maintain a given average speed, always below 30 mph. This sounds simple, but firstly consider that this average covers junctions, single track twisty roads, and passing places. Then add in that there are number of points along each section where any deviation from the average speed (measured in seconds!) is penalised. These checkpoints are virtual, recorded by phone app and GPS. In order maintain the car’s speed accurately crews can use a variety of tools, the best being a freely available app. This will tell the crew to speed up or slow down throughout the section – the key to success is great communication between the navigator and driver. We will be running training sessions for the tools involved to allow novices and experienced hands to all compete.

The route takes place in daylight on entirely on public, tarmac roads, so no special preparation of the car is required. Totalling less than 90 miles, the route allows for re-charge of EVs if required and features a good break at lunchtime to allow crews to compare experiences and get some additional advice and pointers if they wish.

This event is also a training event for the upcoming EcoRally Scotland – Scotland’s round of the Bridgestone FIA EcoRally Cup, being organised and run by the Scottish Motor Racing Club. As an added bonus, winning the winning crew from Rallye-Donia 2025 will receive a £100 discount on their entry to EcoRally Scotland.