Rally is a motorsport discipline conducted on a specific route, usually timed, and carried out under various surface conditions. In rally races organized in stages, drivers and their co-drivers (navigators) attempt to reach the finish point within predetermined target times on closed courses that are off public traffic apart from the race route. The co-driver is the person who guides the driver by reading pace notes. Rallies hold a unique place among motorsports as they involve both speed and endurance elements.
The word rally is derived from the French verb “rallier,” meaning “to come together again.” In this context, the fundamental principle of the discipline is the gathering of competitors at specific control points and the orderly progression between stages. The stages generally consist of two main parts: special stages, which are timed and where the race takes place; and liaison stages, which are transit sections that allow competitors to reach the next special stage while adhering to traffic rules.
Rally Vehicles (pıxabay)
History
The origins of rally sport date back to the late 19th century, the period when the automobile began to enter mass use. The first rally events in the modern sense were organized in the early 1900s in European countries such as France, Italy, and Monte Carlo. Over time, these races, which increased in speed, technical proficiency, and difficulty level, gained a professional identity with the establishment of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1973. The WRC is held under the auspices of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and continues throughout the season with stages held in various countries around the world. Within the WRC system, subcategories such as WRC-2 and WRC-3 also exist; these classes offer separate racing platforms for different vehicle regulations and athlete levels.
Types of Rally
The rally discipline is classified according to different levels of difficulty and formats. These include sub-branches such as “classic rally,” “rally sprint,” “hill climb rally,” “rallycross,” and “rally raid” (desert rally). Rally sprint consists of short, timed stages; hill climb rally is based on vehicles rapidly climbing inclined tracks.
Rally Raid and the Dakar Rally
Rally raid is a type of rally characterized by long-distance, multi-stage races usually held under challenging natural conditions. In these rallies, participants must focus not only on speed but also on navigation, technical skills, and strategy. The best-known example of rally raid races is the Dakar Rally. First organized in 1979 on the Paris-Dakar route, the Dakar Rally is now considered one of the most challenging motorsport events in the world. The rally is organized in different vehicle categories such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, and ATVs and includes geographically diverse tracks such as deserts, mountainous areas, and rocky terrains. In recent years, special categories for vehicles with electric and sustainable fuel systems have also been created. The Dakar Rally tests not only physical endurance but also technical mastery, navigation skills, and mechanical knowledge.
Rally Sport in Türkiye
Rally sport in Türkiye is regarded as an important part of the development in the field of motorsports. This discipline, which started with amateur initiatives in the mid-20th century, gradually gained an institutional structure and achieved a professional dimension with races organized at both national and international levels. Rally events in Türkiye are organized and supervised by the Türkiye Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED). The federation is a continuation of the Türkiye Automobile Sports Institution (TOSK), which was established in 1990.
Rally Vehicles (pıxabay)
First Rally Races and Development Process
The first rally races held in Türkiye date back to the late 1960s and were initially conducted with a limited number of participants, mostly on intercity roads. In the 1970s, events known by special names such as the Shell, Hittite, Bosphorus, and Troy rallies are considered the building blocks of Türkiye’s rally history. During this period, stages were created by utilizing the natural geographical features of cities, and the races attracted great interest among the public.
Türkiye Rally Championship
From the 1990s onward, under the leadership of TOSFED, a professional league system was adopted and a regular race calendar was established under the name Türkiye Rally Championship. Throughout the championship, numerous stages are held in different cities during the year, and individual drivers and teams compete to form an overall classification based on a points system. Special rally cars equipped with FIA-approved safety equipment are used in the races; thanks to the competition between domestic and foreign brands, both athlete development and the use of domestic automobile parts have expanded.
2025 Türkiye Rally Championship / Marmaris Aegean Rally (TRT SPOR)
WRC and the Türkiye Rally
Türkiye was included in the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar for the first time in 1999, and with this development, it became an important player on the international rally stage. The Türkiye Rally was held as part of the WRC in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2019, and 2020; these events attracted the world’s leading rally teams and drivers.
The Türkiye Rally is especially known for its challenging gravel stages in touristic regions such as Marmaris, Muğla, Antalya, and Fethiye. The tracks located in mountainous and forested areas require high technical skill from the drivers, while the region’s hot climate conditions pose endurance challenges. With these features, the Türkiye Rally stands out both as a race with high spectator appeal and as an event that contributes to Türkiye’s promotion in terms of organizational capability.
Athlete Development and Young Talents
Interest in rally sport in Türkiye has been steadily increasing in recent years with the participation of young athletes. Thanks to grassroots programs and driver development projects supported by TOSFED, young drivers can access rally sport at earlier ages and gain experience in national championships. The interest of female drivers in rally has also increased in recent years, enhancing the inclusivity of the sport.
Spectator Participation and Media Attention
Rallying in Türkiye is followed with great interest by both the local population and motorsport enthusiasts. Particularly during WRC stages, thousands of domestic and foreign spectators gather at specific points along the race routes; thus, rallying functions not only as a sporting event but also as a social activity that provides regional economic benefits. During the 2019 Türkiye Rally, nearly 100,000 spectators gathered along the Marmaris stage alone. Media organizations give extensive coverage to these races, broadcasting them live or recorded through television and digital platforms to reach viewers.
