Red Bull Motorsports
Rally Raid
Rally-raid, rallycross and WRC: 3 different ways to race a rally explained
A trio of distinctive disciplines means three different ways of approaching the world of rallying. This is how to distinguish between rally-raid, rallycross and the World Rally Championship.
What type of race is the Dakar Rally? What terrain does rallycross require? How is the winner of a World Rally Championship (WRC) race decided? Read on for your guide to what separates three distinct forms of rally racing: rally-raid, rallycross and WRC.
01
Rally-raid
Rally-raid is a test of endurance
© Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
During a rally-raid, your mission is to plot a route across vast deserts, rugged terrain and wilderness. Every kilometre is a challenge and every dune a test. Endurance is the key word. You have to be able to endure long distances and manage your machine, making repairs as you go if necessary.
- Terrain and distance: Rally-raids are contested over long distances, often several hundred kilometres. The terrain is tough and varied such as deserts, dried out riverbeds, mountains and big rocks.
- Duration and format: The race lasts several days, or even weeks and consists of multiple timed special stages.
- Vehicles: They are robust and specially designed to withstand extreme conditions. Reliability and endurance are prerequisites.
- Famous example: The Dakar Rally is the most emblematic of all rally-raids. The 2024 event covered a total distance of 7,891km, including 4,727km of timed special stages.
02
Rallycross
Rallycross madness
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Rallycross offers a change of scenery. In this discipline you face short circuits that combine asphalt with gravel or dirt. You navigate between explosive speed and tight corners. Drivers set off in groups of four and the goal is to complete your laps before crossing the finish line first.
- Terrain and distance: This type of racing takes place on short, closed circuits combining asphalt and dirt surfaces.
- Duration and format: Rallycross races are short, often lasting only a few minutes and are characterised by group starts as opposed to the individual starts of traditional rallies.
- Vehicles: Rallycross cars are small, extremely agile and designed for fast acceleration as well as tight manoeuvres. The vehicles used are very similar to those used in the WRC, with one important difference: in the elite category, the Supercar, the car's power reaches about 600hp.
- Spectacle and intensity: Rallycross is full of wheel-to-wheel racing and overtaking. The sport is especially popular in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Great Britain and France.
03
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship in Japan
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
A WRC driver races on real roads and the environment changes for each rally. In January the WRC tackles mountain roads at the Monte Carlo Rally and during the following month it's snow and ice at Rally Sweden. It’s essential to combine speed and endurance as racing is arranged in a time trial format.
- Terrain and conditions: WRC rallies are contested on diverse surfaces. Asphalt, gravel, snow and ice all feature during a WRC season. As a driver you have to be able to adapt to changing conditions.
- Duration and format: The WRC takes place on closed public roads. The races are divided into different stages or special stages. There are no group starts as in rallycross, but a time trial format instead.
- Spectacle and intensity: In the WRC there is no overtaking, but plenty of high-speed action to enjoy.
