Due Time

Due Time in motorsport is the specific time that a rally crew is expected to arrive at each checkpoint or time control point along the race route.

In rally racing, drivers don't all start at the same time like in other motorsports. Instead, they begin at set intervals and must reach various checkpoints throughout the course at predetermined times. These target arrival times are called due times, and they're calculated based on the distance between checkpoints and expected travel speeds.

Rally crews carry a timecard that gets stamped at each control point to prove when they arrived. If a team reaches a checkpoint exactly on their due time or even arrives early, they receive no penalty points. This might sound easy, but due times are intentionally set to be very challenging or sometimes impossible to meet under normal driving conditions.

The strategy behind difficult due times is simple: since rally winners are determined by who accumulates the fewest penalty points, organizers want to test each crew's ability to maintain precise timing while navigating challenging terrain. Arriving late at any time control results in penalty points being added to the team's total score.

For example, if a crew's due time at checkpoint three is 2:15 PM but they arrive at 2:18 PM, they'll receive penalty points for those three minutes of lateness. These penalties can quickly add up and determine final race standings.

Due times force rally teams to balance speed with precision. Drivers must push hard enough to meet their target times while avoiding mechanical problems or navigation errors that could make them late. This time management aspect makes rallying unique among motorsports, where raw speed alone doesn't guarantee victory.