Recce

Recce is a pre-race practice session in rallying where drivers and co-drivers drive through the competition course at slow speeds to study the route and create detailed notes about upcoming turns, hazards, and road conditions.

Short for "reconnaissance," recce is one of the most important parts of rally preparation. Think of it like studying for a test – drivers need to learn every twist, turn, and bump in the road before they race through it at high speed. During recce, teams drive the same route they'll race on later, but much slower and safer.

The process typically involves two passes through each stage. On the first pass, the driver calls out what they see ahead – things like "sharp right turn" or "big jump coming up" – while the co-driver writes everything down in a special shorthand code. This creates what's called "pace notes," which are like a roadmap written in racing language.

Speed limits during recce are strictly enforced, usually between 30-90 km/h depending on the event rules. Teams must use regular road cars, not their race cars, and breaking these rules can result in penalties or even disqualification from the entire rally.

The tools used during recce include a road book (provided by race organizers), a trip meter to measure exact distances between landmarks, and communication systems so the driver and co-driver can talk clearly. Many teams also record their conversations to review later.

On the second pass, teams refine their notes, making sure everything is accurate and clear. The co-driver will read these notes aloud during the actual race, telling the driver what's coming up so they can maintain maximum speed safely.

Without proper recce and good pace notes, rally drivers would have to slow down significantly to avoid crashes, making this preparation phase crucial for competitive success in rallying.