Race Events "Rally" and "Rallycross"

[chris.alex]

A while ago, I learned that in the RC world, "rally" means that you follow the car on very narrow tracks, always running behind it. The speed is quite low, and the tracks are about 80 cm wide. The whole thing seemed very strange to me.

Then I learned that "rallycross" actually means what I had originally understood as regular rally. 

Why on earth is the version that is much more similar to WRC called "rallycross"? Did I misunderstand something?

[JimBear]

All the ways we kids can play ...  

The second one yes, the first one was a new idea (to me). 

[Rokka]

Quote

WRC (World Rally Championship) is a time-based rally competition held on long, point-to-point stages on public or closed roads, with one car racing at a time against the clock.

Rallycross is head-to-head racing on short, mixed-surface circuits (dirt and asphalt), with multiple cars competing simultaneously in short, intense races.

This is emulating WRC type rallying with against the clock racing on long point-to-point stages:

 

[Mad Ax]

I think @Rokka has it correct here.

Around my way we've only ever raced Rallycross - 6-8 car heats on a mixed surface circuits (tarmac, grass, astro, and small jumps), which is very much how real 1:1 rallycross works.

I've never really been sure about the idea of running along behind your car - I think I'd be sure to trip over something and land flat on my face - but I guess it allows you to run a longer point-to-point stage without a high vantage point to see.  Also those tracks tend to be very narrow, it might not be possible to get the accuracy for those tracks from a rostrum.

[chris.alex]

On 6/4/2025 at 11:10 PM, Mad Ax said:

I've never really been sure about the idea of running along behind your car - I think I'd be sure to trip over something and land flat on my face

That is exactly what I fear. However, I hope to find the opportunity to do both of the versions in the near future. 

Thank you all for your feedback! 🙂

[Pylon80]

On 6/6/2025 at 5:06 AM, chris.alex said:

That is exactly what I fear. However, I hope to find the opportunity to do both of the versions in the near future. 

Thank you all for your feedback! 🙂

They have the first one (running behind your car) "close" to me in SoCal but I have been discouraged by driving about 6h for it then probably pay for a hotel room then another 6h to get back home. All of that by myself. Maybe I should just do it at least once 🤔

[vodka]

I had missed this post and ended up creating one that's really similar... what a coincidence! For me, rally has always meant starting at point A and finishing at point B, running behind the car (and honestly, that idea never really appealed to me). Based on what I knew about full-scale rally, I never thought there could be other types of races... but rallycross really opened my eyes.

[Big Jon]

For anyone interested and in the DFW Metroplex, Thompson’s RC Raceway in Ft. Worth is running monthly Rally-X. Next meet is July 19, and the track opens at 3 with first qual at 6:30. It’s an incredibly fun track with a great group of people. The track is vintage friendly, and there are 2WD and 4WD buggy classes. I’ve been running my Super Astute in 2WD and my XV01 in Rally.