KIDS’ CAR CORNER The

Raucous Rally Race Cars

UPSHIFT KIDS’ CAR CORNER SUMMER ISSUE

ABBY MCBRIDE | PHOTO ABOVE: ETHAN PELLEGRINO

The term “rally” as a racing word was first used in January 1907 at the Monte Carlo Rally in France. The beginning of the word rally comes from the old French word “ralier,” which means to bring together or to make a shared effort. Rally racing, although competitive, is about a shared effort: The connection between driver and co-driver and the joint action of competition between racers. Unique in the world of motorsport, rally racing creates competition through collaboration.

Racers drive cars they purchased but then changed, or they will specially build a car. Racers do things like make the brakes stronger, make the car lighter, or put in bucket seats so the driver and co-driver can sit low to the ground. The race happens on closed public or private roads with a co-driver reading maps, and pages of notes describing the road ahead. What is unique about rally race cars is that many of the race cars were designed to be driven on the street by an everyday person. With modifications, they become faster, lighter, and stronger, ready for the rally race. The driver and co-driver then come together and work very hard to drive their best.

A racing livery is the paint and sticker design used on the rally cars to attract sponsorship and advertise sponsors. A sponsor is a company or person who gives money to support the racers. Below are some creative and colorful rally race cars.

Below is a frame where you can design your own Rally Car! Ask a caregiver to help you print this out or just use your own colorful paper. Happy designing!