A few years ago the highly esteemed Paul Wright wrote an article in the CWAM Newsletter which persuaded me to take part in the National Rally. Despite the most appalling weather and a few frustrating experiences I had a great time, so much so that I've done it ever since. In the hope that some of you may be similarly encouraged I'm reprinting Paul's article. Some things may have changed since the article was first  written so check details on http://www.nationalroadrally.co.uk/2010/index.php before making too many plans.  Entries may be made online. A couple of tips if you decide to do it, planning the route is the secret of success and don't plan anything too energetic for the afternoon of Sunday July 4th.

For the past ten years, I have ‘competed’ in the National Rally, which is jointly organised by the ACU, based in Rugby and the BMF. For those of you that are not familiar with the event, it is described as a ‘Navigational Scatter Rally’ and is open to riders of mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, three-wheelers and motorcycles/scooters with sidecars who have passed the DoT test, i.e. they are exempt from displaying ‘L’ plates.

The basic format of the event is that you register and are subsequently allocated an individual rider’s number. Approximately two weeks before the event you will receive through the post the ‘Final Instructions’, which will contain a control card, a list of all the ‘controls’ with a brief description of their location, facilities available at or near the control and the opening and closing times of each. Also included is a route matrix which is basically a rough map of the controls and the distances between each control. There are some controls which do not have a distance specified between them, and hence you are not permitted to ride from one of those controls to the other without calling at another one in between.

You choose which level you wish to try for and select your starting control and route to the finish, clocking up the mileages on each control leg as you go, to achieve the required amount for the award. Some of the higher awards require you to call at a minimum number of controls and some of which may only be open at certain times, so route planning is essential. The top awards require you to call at the maximum possible number of controls to achieve the requisite mileage, but they do not tell you how many this is. You have to work it out from the route matrix, and your mileages must be spot on.

For instance the Platinum and Special Gold awards require you to visit the maximum number of controls for a distance of 540 miles. So you need to work out a start control location and route, adding up the mileages for each leg as specified on the route matrix to give you exactly 540 miles, no more and no less. If you go over you are disqualified and if you go under you are downgraded to the next lowest award provided that you achieve its requirements.

You will need to bear in mind that some controls are only open until midnight on Saturday and others will only open from 10.00PM on Saturday evening. These latter type controls also have staggered closing times dependent upon how far away from the finish they are, so planning is everything. And you get two weeks or less to do it in. GPS and Satnav is okay to locate the controls but will not help you to plan a route on the matrix, it will only help you to plan a route on the road between control locations.

For the lower awards there is a minimum mileage or a mileage band. This makes planning much easier and you can generally take your time more and enjoy the ride and scenery. That is not to say that you cannot do that on the higher awards, but you cannot afford to waste much time chatting at the controls or out on the road at a fuel or rest stop. You do not need to travel fast to achieve the higher awards but you cannot dawdle too much or you will run out of time, and you are required to take compulsory rest breaks from time to time as stipulated in the Final Instructions.

If you are new to this event and you wish to have a go then you would be better off trying for a lower award to get the feel of how it works before trying for the higher ones. Normally, with the higher awards you start at 2.00PM on Saturday afternoon and ride through to the finish control which will be open from 7.30AM to 10.00AM Sunday morning so there is a time window for you to finish in. Some of the lower awards have a later start time, either 6.00PM or 10.00PM depending on the level.

There are two daytime categories which start at 2.00PM and you finish at your chosen control by midnight on Saturday, the difference between these two is mileage travelled. This is primarily aimed at those that do not wish to ride overnight. The organisers have introduced two new categories for this year which are the two ‘sunrise’ awards which start at 4.00AM on Sunday and you ride your chosen route to the finish control. Again the difference between these two is in the mileage travelled. These lower awards are aimed to encourage riders of older classic and vintage machines to take part in the event. Pillions can also receive an award for taking part and completing a category, provided they have registered on the application form with a rider.

The mileage requirements range from 120 minimum in the Bronze sunrise category and 200 for the whole rally, up to 540 for Special Gold and Platinum categories, so there is plenty of scope. Don’t forget the mileage to your start control and home again afterwards to consider. Full details can be found on the web page for the event at‘http://www.nationalroadrally.co.uk/2010/index.php. Ian Chapman, Dave Homan or Tony Williamson have done this event previously and will be happy to talk to you. The basic entry cost this year is £26.00 for the whole rally, and slightly less for the daytime categories, with the pillions extra and optional additional insurance to cover risks off the public road which your own insurance may not cover. You may need to check with your own insurance to see if you are covered for the event, most people are, but it is best to check first.

Anyone interested in taking part has until about the end of May to register. It is good fun and can be addictive. For me is the highlight of the riding season. It is arranged for this time of year to take advantage of the short nights. Maybe a few of you would like to form a team to take part. You can do as much or as little as you wish. Try it, you would probably like it!

Paul Wright, Chief Observer.