Watching SPEED channel (Redline was the show) noticed a CR MINI in the background and kicking up a lot of dirt. Wondering if it was a NAMer. And how rally cross compares to autocross.

 

Rally Cross requires a lot more safety equipment- including a roll cage. At least in my region it does.

 

??? I thought the show was taping in SoCal and they said that no roll bars or cage was part of the appeal. Goes to show can't trust everything on TV

 

I think it depends on the region for safety equipment. My local region had rally cross last year. The only restriction was no convertibles. They set up a course in a field and only raced if the ground was frozen. I didn't have a car to participate with, but it looked like a good reason to get a cheap beater with snow tires and go out and blow off some steam in the winter.

 

Maybe you are confusing rallies with rally-cross. As I understand it (in the SF scca region anyway) Rally X is just like Autox but on dirt instead. I actually went and watched one. There were plenty of guys with stock wrxs, audis, RX-7 beaters etc.. No roll cages required.

A rally on the other hand you need to have a fully race-prepped car. Hopefully this clears up some of the confusion.

A while back I started a thread that asked about the mini as a rally-x car, and most guys here recommended against it for various reasons. I'll see if I can dig up the thread.

Here is the thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=54595