Rally Comp

The Rally Comp device provides timing, scoring, pass alert, live position track, and and navigation functions

A Rally Comp device is required for all competitors, including cars, UTVs, and motos.

The Rally Comp device will be supplied to competitors at Registration and MUST be used through the full rally.

Competitors MUST utilize the power cable connected to the vehicle 12V battery to power the Rally Comp. All cables for the Rally Comp will be provided with the Rally Comp device. The power cable MUST be wired through a fuse then directly to your vehicle 12V battery rather than through a cigarette lighter socket or similar ignition key controlled power source. If the power to the Rally Comp is interrupted, such as when you shut your vehicle off, it will take longer when powering back up before it is able to perform its functions due to requiring a good GPS lock.

The Rally Comp supports several mounting options, RAM mount, ICO type two stud mount (fits in a traditional ICO position for motos), or other arrangement using some type of bracket attached to the two rear bolt studs.

The newer live position tracking antenna module is not shown except in the View and Dimensions image.

See official Rally Comp info for additional details.

RALLY NAVIGATION
Odometer, Adjustable
Cap Meter / Electronic Compass
Speedometer with audible alerts

COMPLIANCE
Speed Zone Compliance, Tracking, Audible Alerts
Hidden Waypoints (WPM) with penalty Logging, Audible Alert when achieved
Open Waypoints (WPE) with penalty Logging
Show Closed Waypoint with penalty
GPX Track Log
Arrow Guidance for WPMs (normally set for 800m radius in Sonora Rally) WPM validated when within 50m radius.
ODO Auto Set at Waypoints (disabled in Sonora Rally)
Stage Summary displayed at stage finish

SAFETY
Live position tracking via Iridium satellite 2-way link
2-way message communications (for emergencies)
Pass Alert with Audible Alert (cars can “beep” motos when preparing to pass)
Turn On / Show Waypoints with guidance (No Lost Drivers/Riders)
Mandatory STOP at highway crossings and other selected passages, penalty for violation

TIMING (Immediate Stage Results)
Stage Time Calculation
Stage adjusted Time with penalties (Shown WP, Missed WP & Speed Zones)
Wireless stage results transmitted to organization PC at finish line
Results published as riders/drivers arrive at finish

Rally Comp Video Demonstration

This video gives a general overview of the functionality of the Rally Comp. For Sonora Rally the roadbook scroll shown will not be used, as motos will have their own full-size roadbook holders, and cars have navigators to hold and flip through the roadbook pages. For Sonora Rally a few functions shown in this video will not be enabled, or will operate in a slightly different way, though the concepts are similar. The display readability has been improved since this video, so there should not be any issues with that even in the darker environment inside a car. We will publish details instructions on how to use the Rally Comp at a later date. For the most part, you should be able to race the whole day without pushing many buttons on the Rally Comp. It does its thing without much if any user intervention.

Digital Road Book: Tower One

The Sonora Rally is committed supporting the North American rally community on all levels, including technology and safety. It is because of this that we decided to embrace the future of rally raid and utilize the Tower One digital roadbook from ICO on the 2021 Sonora Rally. 

However, due to supply chain disruptions that we are all experiencing, and the size of the Rally entry, we will make the Tower One optional for all classes on a “first come first serve” basis. There are 20 Tower One digital roadbooks available for Sonora Rally, if you wish to run one on you bike or car please contact Erin at erinlee@sonorarally.

 

We highly recommend this device, especially for the 4 wheel vehicles. It is the future or rally raid and all major events worldwide are going this direction. The digital roadbooks also will store your tracks so you do not have to run a second GPS for back up. There will be a training roadbook available on Sunday the 9th of May for teams to test and familiarize themselves with the Tower One.

 

The ICO team will be onsite to assist with installation and operation. Please contact them for wiring and mounting information at luke@icoracing.com or https://www.icoracing.com/pages/about-us.

Heading Repeater

The Rally Comp can be used as your primary heading repeater. We highly recommend having a second heading repeater to in addition to the Rally Comp supplied by the organization. An ICO unit, the Tower One or second Rally Comp is acceptable as long is it does not have an SD card installed.

SPOT Satellite Tracking

Required for Competitors

As a backup to the Rally Comp satellite tracking and scoring device, we also require competitors to carry a SPOT tracking device with live tracking. If you do not have a SPOT Tracker we will have a limited number available for competitors on first come first serve basis for a small rental fee. A second Rally Comp with tracking capability is also acceptable. New for 2021 GARMIN InREach WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR BACKUP TRACKING.

Please use the following information in your SPOT account:
Add this email in your SPOT account for the HELP/SPOT SOV (two hands button) message profile: spot@sonorarally.com
Do not add this email address to the Check In/OK, or Custom message profiles.

Please do not use our phone numbers in any message profiles, as we’ll watch only for the SPOT  email messages.

Please fill out the SPOT form so we have the link to your shared page, so we can track you if needed during the rally.

https://aventuraevents.wufoo.com/forms/w1dlosde0z8ajnk/

If you need help during the rally, please use the Rally Comp satellite messaging system, or your cell phone, or your Sat phone first. Only use your SPOT or inReach as a backup if all the other devices fail. When using the SPOT, you MUST keep tracking ON while out on the course

For SPOT, press the HELP (two hands) button if you need help and could not get through with your Rally Comp, cell phone, or Sat phone. We will not receive any SPOT SOS/911 messages from your SPOT, so don’t use that button if you are trying to get help from the rally organization.

For inReach, send a custom text message to spot@sonorarally.com informing us of you situation.

Sat Phones or Satellite Texting

Required for Competitors

For safety reasons we require all competitors (including Adventure Raid) to carry an operational Satellite Phone (one per vehicle) or a two way satellite communication device such as a Spot X or Garmin InReach. You may bring your own, or rent one. We have made arrangements the for a special price deal with a satellite phone rental provider. Non-competitors will be welcome to rent a phone as well. Your satellite phone number will be required at registration. This device is for you to contact race control in case of emergency or need for assistance. 

Please follow rally protocol when trying to communicate with Race Control. Alert us through the Rally Comp first, second attempt with a cell phone to call the numbers as they are listed on the back of your time card, third use satellite device if first two option are not getting desired results. Please contact race control first before calling friends and family asking them to help. This ultimately slows down response times and causes confusion through second hand information.

Use the following link to get your special pricing with Satellite Phone Store
https://satellitephonestore.com/sonorarally202
The pricing is good for the dates for Sonora Rally 2021, May 10-14th

Satellite Phone Store
California Office
2830 Shelter Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
Tel: +1-619-399-3800
Toll Free: 1-877-WHENEVER (943-6383)
Email: california@satellitephonestore.com
rafael@satellitephonestore.com
crystal@satellitephonestore.com

GPS

A compatible GPS is recommended for all competitors, either Garmin or Lowrance, to be used as a backup device for track recording, for guidance to key waypoints in case you’re lost or have an emergency where special capabilities are required. The Tower One or a second Rally Comp may also be used as your back up.

Your GPS may be mounted in a non-visible location or carried in your backpack. Keep in mind it MUST be recording tracks at all times during the race, so be careful if you are relying on the internal batteries!

No user loaded GPS tracks, waypoints, detailed maps, satellite imagery, or other such data are allowed in the GPS during the rally. If you have any important data in your GPS prior to the event, you should save it to your computer and remove it from the GPS prior to the event. If you have a microSD or SD card in your GPS, you should remove it prior to the event. The rally org will clear out any such data found in your GPS at registration.

Only models that have micro SD or SD slot and USB connector meet the needs for Sonora Rally. From a functional and affordability point of view, our favorite is the Garmin 78 handheld, shown to the far left. For the less budget sensitive, the Garmin Montana is a great choice. Other more expensive or older models will work great too (see list below). Since maps and GPS tracks for the course cannot be utilized, a large screen GPS is not of significant extra value. So, for Sonora Rally, in our opinion a large screen GPS is not worth the higher price.

No smart phone, tablet or similar device will be allowed for navigation. You should carry a cell phone in case you need to make an emergency call, but it will not be allowed to be mounted on your dash area or visible in any way while riding or driving. Some parts of the course have cell coverage, but most do not.

Though not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you use a GPS that allows connection to your vehicle 12V battery. Since it is required that your GPS be on and recording tracks at all times in the race, dead AA batteries in your GPS can ruin your day. So it’s a smart move to have backup power, meaning you should have both internal batteries AND a connection to your vehicle battery. And it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a set of AA batteries in your pocket just in case!

GPS Models:

The following features are required for any GPS used in Sonora Rally:
• Garmin or Lowrance only
• Must support track recording (track log of where you went)
• Garmin models must have a USB Interface

Any Lowrance model that meets the above requirements is acceptable.

Garmin model rundown:
• Garmin GPSMAP 60cx, 60csx, 76cx, 76csx, 62s, 62sc, 64, 64s, 64st, 78, 78s, 78sc, 276Cx are acceptable.
• The GPSMAP 62 (no suffix) does not have a microSD card slot, so is NOT acceptable.
• The GPSMAP 276c, 376c, 378, and 478 do not have a microSD card slot, so are NOT acceptable.
• Garmin Etrex Vista, all models that have color display and extended memory (microSD card slot) such as the Etrex Vista HCX are acceptable.
• Garmin Etrex Legend, all models that have color display and extended memory (microSD card) such as the Etrex Legend HCX are acceptable.
• Garmin Oregon – All models that have microSD slot, Color screen, USB connection are acceptable.
• Garmin Montana – All models that have microSD slot, Color screen, USB connection are acceptable.
• Garmin Monterra is NOT ACCEPTABLE since it’s a “smart device”.

Use of a USB connection for power is discouraged since they tend to fail from vibration after a period of time. Many of the prefered Garmin models have a round 4-pin connector that accepts a 12V power connection. If you have such a model, THIS CABLE is the way to go. When wiring to your vehicle 12V power, it is preferred to connect directly to the battery or to a circuit that is not switched by your key, since the GPS will not power back on when you turn the key back on. You have to manually turn the GPS back on with the power button on the unit, and you’re sure to forget that in the heat of competition. If you forget to turn it on, you won’t be recording tracks and you’ll be at risk of receiving a penalty if you are missing those tracks.

Garmin Power Cable

GPS Configuration:

Your Garmin GPS may need to be configured in a particular way to support the requirements of this rally. Some required settings may be different than your normal usage.

Your GPS must be setup to record tracks at all times while you are racing, without interruption. It is your responsibility to keep your GPS operating and recording, otherwise you risk severe time penalties if our primary tracker fails. In case we have to validate that you have followed the course correctly (no cheating or shortcuts), at the end of each stage officials may ask to remove your GPS from your vehicle and may download your recorded tracks into a computer (for Lowrance, just remove chip with recorded tracks included).

Best Garmin GPS Settings (varies slightly depending on model):
• Track Log: “Record, Show on Map”
• Record Method: “Auto” (not “Time” or “Distance”)
• Record Interval: “More Often” (not “Most Often”, “Normal”, “Less Often”, or “Least Often”)
• Wrap When Full: No (checkmark off)
• Heading: “Numeric Degrees”
• North Reference: “True”
• Position Format: hddd°mm.mmm’
• Map Datum: “WGS 84”
• External Power Lost: “Stay On” (you should power your GPS with internal batteries as well as through a cable from your vehicle 12V battery)
• Map Orientation: “Track Up”
• Map – Data Fields: 1 Large (wide) data field
• Map – Change Data Fields: “Heading”

Use of any GPS device other than the one approved in scrutineering is forbidden. That includes using smart phone apps, tablets, a second handheld GPS of your own, or any other such device.

Need to buy a GPS receiver?

If you don’t already have one of the specified Garmin GPS units, we recommend the Garmin GPSMAP 78. The 78 provides great features at a very affordable price, check out GPS City for great prices.

Garmin also offers the 78S and 78SC. You can research the added features these models bring for a higher price, but those added features will not be of much if any value in Sonora Rally.

Experienced rally competitors wire their GPS power to the vehicle 12V battery so unexpected low batteries in the unit don’t spoil your race. Since the newer Garmin 62 series (similar to the 78 series) do not have a 12V power connector, the 62 series is not the best choice. Go for the 78, which has a 12V power connection!

Helpful Links:
Garmin GPSMAP 78 at GPS City
RAM mount for 78 at GPS City
Garmin round power cable (fits many but not all Garmin handheld units)

Email: california@satellitephonestore.com
rafael@satellitephonestore.com
crystal@satellitephonestore.com

FIA Road Book Lexicon

Download Lexicon Reference Sheet Here