Zero Car
Encyclopedia
A Zero car is a car used in rallying
to open the road for the competing cars.
It has a couple of purposes:
Originally only one zero car (number zero) was used. These days it is not unusual for a rally to have two or three zero cars (numbered 000, 00 and 0).
The drivers are usually retired race drivers. The cars can be ordinary production sport cars, old race cars (which lost homologation
or are simply no longer competitive) or even new models (which the manufacturer wants to test before the homologation). The driver and co-driver wear normal safety equipment (helmets, racing suits, etc.). The zero car is usually driven at almost race pace.
Zero cars should not be confused with the organization car or the FIA inspection car, which also pass through the special stage
before the race cars, but are driven much slower.
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
to open the road for the competing cars.
It has a couple of purposes:
- so that the public is not surprised by the first car and
- so that its driver can warn the organization if there is a problem on the stage.
Originally only one zero car (number zero) was used. These days it is not unusual for a rally to have two or three zero cars (numbered 000, 00 and 0).
The drivers are usually retired race drivers. The cars can be ordinary production sport cars, old race cars (which lost homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
or are simply no longer competitive) or even new models (which the manufacturer wants to test before the homologation). The driver and co-driver wear normal safety equipment (helmets, racing suits, etc.). The zero car is usually driven at almost race pace.
Zero cars should not be confused with the organization car or the FIA inspection car, which also pass through the special stage
Special stage (rallying)
Special stages are the competitive sections of a stage rally event where the goal is to cover a stretch of closed road in the shortest time. On a special stage cars are set off individually at set intervals to reduce the chances of being impeded by other competitors. Each special stage is a...
before the race cars, but are driven much slower.