Joker Lap

A joker lap is an alternate route on a racing track that drivers must take once during a race, typically designed to be slower than the main route and used as a strategic tool to gain competitive advantage.

In motorsports like rallycross, the joker lap appears as a detour or alternate section of the circuit that branches off from the standard racing line. Think of it like taking a side street instead of the highway—it's a different path that usually takes a bit longer to complete. The joker lap is intentionally designed to add at least two seconds to a driver's lap time compared to using the normal route.

The key rule is simple: every driver must complete the joker lap exactly once during each race. If a driver forgets to take it or tries to skip it, they receive a time penalty that typically costs them far more than just taking the joker lap would have. This mandatory requirement ensures that all competitors face the same challenge.

What makes the joker lap interesting is that drivers can choose when to take it. This decision becomes a critical part of race strategy. A driver might take their joker lap early in the race to avoid getting stuck behind slower competitors on the narrow alternate route. Alternatively, they might save it until the final lap, hoping to surprise their rivals with an unexpected position change.

The strategic element works because while one driver is on the joker lap losing time, other drivers continue on the faster main route. When the driver on the joker lap rejoins the track, they might emerge in a completely different position than when they left. This can help them escape from a group of battling cars or, if timed poorly, drop them back in the running order.

Most racing series don't allow drivers to take the joker lap on the first lap of the race. This rule prevents everyone from rushing to take it immediately and ensures the strategic element remains throughout the competition. Teams and drivers must constantly monitor their competitors' choices, adjusting their own plans based on who has and hasn't taken their mandatory joker lap yet.

Rallycross is the primary motorsport that features the joker lap as a standard element. The FIA World Rallycross Championship has made it a signature feature of their races, adding unpredictability and excitement to every event. Other racing series, including the World Touring Car Championship and Formula E, have experimented with similar concepts on certain tracks, particularly street circuits where creating an alternate route is feasible.

The joker lap transforms racing from a simple test of speed into a chess match on wheels, where timing and tactical thinking matter just as much as driving skill and car performance.