What Is The Meaning Of Zero Cars In Safari Rally?

Almost everyone is heading to Naivasha. Some are already there and the excitement is just on another level. You might have seen people making fun of those who own Subaru cars or about “women” who have given “great” excuses to be away.

Well, the Safari Rally is back and everything according to organizes is in place. In fact, the “test-run” is today (Thursday) at Kasarani. As the Rally gears towards kicking off, the labeling of cars has become a discussion among Kenyans.

For instance, what is the meaning of the Rally Car labeled (0) ZERO? A zero car is also known as a route opening car and is a car used in rallying to open the road for the competing cars. Some call them “pacesetters” like in athletics.

The Zero cars are course vehicles driven through a stage before the competitor cars start to alert spectators that the section is live. The zero car is traditionally preceded by the triple zero and double zero cars.

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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, rally drivers.

The cars can be ordinary production sports cars, old rally 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 a rally pace.

Zero cars should not be confused with the organization car or the FIA inspection car, which also passes through the special stage before the rally cars, but are driven much slower.

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