rally

Automobile competition using public roads and ordinary traffic rules. The object is to maintain a specified average speed between checkpoints; the route is unknown to the driver and navigator until the start of the event. Such competition began in 1907 with a Beijing-to-Paris event (12,000 km [7,500 mi]). The Monte-Carlo rally began in 1911. The Dakar (Senegal) Rally (15,000 km [9,300 mi]) is considered one of the most grueling rally events.