What rally equipment do I need?

Before your first rally, you will need some kit. In basic form, this means helmet, overalls, gloves and rally boots as an absolute minimum. Fireproof underwear and balaclava are also recommended and, in many series, obligatory. Some of the top drivers use a HANS (head and neck safety) device, designed to reduce the risk of neck injury in certain types of accidents, and it's certainly something you should seriously consider no matter what level of rallying you are planning.

How much you spend is really down to you, but a budget of anything between about £750 and £2,000, and maybe more, is not unreasonable to cover good quality kit. Our advice is to buy the best kit you can sensibly afford. We hope you will never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad you didn't skimp.

Racewear suppliers can be useful sources of advice about race equipment and make sure you check about longevity, as things like helmets and overalls have a well-defined legal life. You'll find supplier ads in most of the motorsport press, but there's nowhere better to start than the advertisers on MotorsportAds.co.uk!

MSAR safety - specialists in competitor protective equipment
racewear.co.uk - high-quality racewear for all motor sport disciplines
SpeedSport Promotions - official stockists of MOMO products
Headcase - the ultimate crash helmet carry case

If you're planning to run the car yourself, you'll obviously need a lot more than this: mechanic's gear, tools, spare parts, wheels, jerry cans, trailers and service van, the list is almost endless and not one that we can fully cover here.

Not strictly equipment – but you do need to find a competent co-driver/navigator – he/she is not a sack of potatoes sitting in the spare front seat. If you aspire to greatness your partner in the car has to be good at their job too ( see section on co-drivers)


· How do I get my rally licence?
· What equipment do I need?
· Which championship is right for me?
· What type of rally car?
· Do I rent or buy a rally car?
· Do I run it myself or go to a team?
· How do I improve my skills?
· How do I get sponsorship?
· What about the co-driver/navigator?
· What can I put back into the sport?
· Where can I find out more?