Opening car / opening bike

Before competitors start a rally stage, an opening car or opening bike (often called the “open” or zero vehicle) runs the route. Its crew checks that the road is passable, the roadbook is accurate and safety points are in place.

If the terrain has changed, for example a washed-out track or new fence, the organiser issues corrections. These appear in the roadbook or on a correction sheet as notes such as “modification from opening car” or “new note”.

Always read correction sheets and update your roadbook before the start. Missing a change made after the opening vehicle passed is a classic cause of lost time and navigation errors.