Reconnaissance Drives

In most rallies, including those of the World Rally Championship (WRC), drivers are allowed to run on the tracks of the course before competition. In these reconnaissance drives, the co-drivers, who sit next to the drivers, write down shorthand notes on how to best drive the stage. Usually the drivers call out the turns and road conditions for the co-drivers to write down. These "pace notes" are read aloud through an internal intercom system during the actual race, allowing the driver to anticipate the upcoming terrain and thus take the course as fast as possible.

In the past - and until recently in North America - most rally courses were not allowed to be scanned prior to the race, and the co-drivers used maps supplied by the organisation. The exact route of the rally often remained secret until race day. This is changing though, as rallies throughout North America are now switching to either organiser supplied "route notes" or to full reconnaissance or "Recce" (pronounce Wreck-E). This change has been brought on in large part due to competitor demand. Recce makes the competition experience faster, safer, and more satisfying for the entrant.