Rally Pacenotes: How They Work, How to Write Them, and Call Them on Stage

Rally pacenotes are the backbone of competitive stage rally. Without them, a driver on a closed road or forest stage is navigating blind. With a well-written, well-called set of notes, a crew can confidently attack corners they have never seen at competitive speed.

We’ll take you through the complete picture: what pacenotes are and how they work, the notation system, how to write them on recce, how to call them on stage, the software tools available, and the communication equipment that ties it all together.

What Are Rally Pacenotes?

Rally pacenotes are a written description of every corner, hazard, and feature on a stage, created by the crew during reconnaissance or recce, before competition. On the day of the event, the co-driver reads them aloud to guide the driver through sections they cannot see in advance.

The notes are specific to each crew. Every pair develops their own calling style and notation system within a broadly consistent framework. Two crews running the same stage will have different notes (different corner numbers, different phrasing, different distance calls) and both can be correct. What matters is internal consistency between driver and co-driver.

Regulations governing the number of recce passes a crew may complete before competition are set by the relevant governing body for the event. In the UK this is Motorsport UK; in Ireland it is Motorsport Ireland. The exact number varies by championship and event, but two to three passes is standard. Always check the supplementary regulations for the specific event you are entering, as the permitted number can differ even between rounds of the same series.

Pacenote Format: Numbers, Calls, and Conjunctions

There is no single universal pacenote system. Every crew develops their own notation, and two crews running the same stage can have completely different notes and both be correct. What matters is that the driver and co-driver agree on and consistently apply the same system. The following is one widely used example to illustrate the format, not a standard you are required to follow: 

Numbers 1 to 6 to describe corner severity. Here is what each number represents:

• 1: Hairpin. The tightest possible corner. Requires a near-stop or handbrake turn in many cars.

• 2: Very tight. Slower than walking pace in many rear-wheel-drive cars.

• 3: Tight. Requires significant braking.

• 4: Medium. Still requires braking but can be taken with commitment.

• 5: Open. Fast corner, light braking or lift.

• 6: Flat or nearly flat. No braking required.

Direction is added before the number: L (left) or R (right). A medium left corner is "left 4." A hairpin right is "right 1."

Conjunctions

Conjunctions describe how corners connect and are essential for accurate note-calling:

• "and": two corners of similar severity flowing together without a significant change in line. "Right 3 and left 3" means commit to both in sequence.

• "into": a tighter corner follows a wider one. "Right 4 into left 2" means set up for the left early. Getting this wrong is one of the most common co-driver mistakes on stage.

Most crews use an arrow symbol (>) to indicate tightens. Whether you use 'into' or '>' as your notation, agree on your system with your co-driver before recce.

Caution Calls

Caution calls mark hazards the driver needs advance warning of:

• Crest (Cr): the road rises and the landing is not visible

• Big crest (BigCr): significant air or a blind landing

• Jump (Jmp): the car will leave the ground

• Bump (Bmp): significant surface irregularity, including potholes or rocks

• Dip: road drops sharply, affects braking and suspension loading

• Don't cut: a cutting line exists but is dangerous or prohibited

• Bridges: called ahead of narrow or low-clearance structures

Distance calls in metres separate features: "50" means 50 metres to the next call.

Worked Example

Right 3, into left 2, 50, crest, right 4 and left 4, 100, jump, left 1 DON'T CUT

Read in sequence: tight right corner, commit to the left immediately after, 50 metres to a crest, then two medium corners together, 100 metres to a jump, then a hairpin left with a dangerous cutting line.

Important note on numbering: some crews reverse the scale entirely with 6 = tightest hairpin, 1 = flat. Neither system is wrong, but driver and co-driver must agree before recce and stay consistent throughout. Mid-stage confusion on corner severity is a safety issue.

How to Write Pacenotes During Recce

First pass: drive at low speed and focus on getting the sequence right. Corner direction, number, hazards, junctions. Do not worry too much about distances on the first pass. Work on getting the calls in order before refining the details.

Second pass: refine distances, add caution calls, and check your call timing against the stage speed you expect to run. Drive slightly faster than the first pass to feel which corners need earlier calls at competition pace. Pay extra attention to blind crests with tight exits and any section where your notes feel uncertain.

Third pass (if permitted): final checks. This is also the pass to confirm distances with rally computers. Focus on anywhere you were not confident on pass two.

Writing method: most co-drivers write by hand using a dedicated spiral-bound pacenote pad. Loose pages in an open car are a problem, but spiral binding solves it. Some co-drivers voice-record during recce and transcribe between passes. Either method works. What matters is legibility under pressure.

Pre-stage confirmation: before the stage, driver and co-driver run through the notes together in parc ferme or at the start line. It is not a regulatory requirement, but skipping it is a risk no experienced crew takes. It confirms the co-driver has the right set, catches transcription errors, and gives the driver confidence in the first few corners.

Consistency over system: the best pacenote system is the one both crew members know by instinct. Do not change systems between events. If you are developing your notation, make changes in testing, not competition.

Calling Rally Pace Notes on Stage: Tips for Co-Drivers

The notes are only as good as the call. A perfectly written set delivered at the wrong moment is useless.

Good preparation starts before recce day: plan your stage order in advance, eat well, stay hydrated, and factor in breaks. Know your recce times and stick to them strictly as crews can be excluded for being on stage outside the permitted window. Some events require sign-in and sign-out at each stage, and trackers may be fitted to recce vehicles. Pack maps, pacenote books, pencils, and erasers before you leave. Always be aware of other traffic on the road during recce. 

Intercom Systems for Rally: What You Need

Pacenotes are only useful if the driver can hear them clearly. Rally places unique demands on intercom equipment that circuit racing does not.

On a stage, cabin noise at speed in an open or lightly insulated car is significant. The co-driver is calling notes continuously with both hands occupied. The intercom must work reliably through a full day of stages, often with vibration, dust, and temperature changes.

Key features to look for:

• Noise cancellation in the microphone and speaker. Digital systems offer better noise rejection than analogue at equivalent price points.

• Helmet mic compatibility. Your intercom must be matched to your helmet's electronics.

• Hands-free operation. The co-driver cannot hold a PTT button while reading notes.

• Battery life sufficient for a full event day without recharging.

Stilo is the dominant name at professional level. The DG-20 and WRC variants are used across national and international events. Matched to your helmets, it’s a sensible and cost-effective starting point for UK club rally.

A Monit rally computer completes the co-driver setup. An accurate odometer is not optional when your pacenotes contain distance calls in metres, and without one, calls drift out of sync with the road on longer stages. The Monit Q-series are the entry-level club rally choice, with the G-series stepping up to GPS+ technology for crews who want the added accuracy on longer or more complex stages. Monit computers are not limited to the competition car. Many crews run a dedicated unit in their recce vehicle to build accurate distance notes during reconnaissance. Race & Rally stocks recce car trip meter kits for crews who want a proper setup for both vehicles.

Final Thoughts

Rally pacenotes are a skill that improves with every event. Your first set will not be perfect, and your first recce will take longer than you expect, but that’s normal. The key is building a consistent system with your co-driver early and sticking to it. Everything else like call timing, delivery pace, and distance accuracy develops with mileage.

If you are putting together a co-driver setup, the right equipment makes a significant difference. A reliable intercom, a compatible helmet, and an accurate rally computer are not optional extras, they’re the tools the notes depend on. Browse our full range at Race and Rally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the numbers mean in rally pacenotes?

The standard UK system uses numbers 1 to 6. A 1 is a hairpin, signifying the tightest corner. A 6 is almost flat. Numbers in between describe the range of severity. Some crews reverse the scale (6 = tightest, 1 = flat). There is no universal rule, but you must agree with your co-driver before recce and stay consistent throughout.

How many recce passes are allowed in UK rally?

Motorsport UK regulations set the number of permitted recce passes per event, typically two to three. Check the supplementary regulations for the specific event as the number varies by championship and stage length.

What is the difference between "and" and "into" in pacenotes?

"And" connects two corners of similar severity flowing together: you take both without significantly changing your line. "Into" signals a tighter corner following a wider one: the next corner requires earlier braking and more commitment. Getting conjunctions wrong is one of the most common co-driver errors on stage.

What intercom do rally crews use?

Stilo and ZeroNoise are two of the leading intercom manufacturers, both producing systems across the full range from club-level analogue through to professional digital setups. The key requirement for rally regardless of level is reliable noise cancellation and helmet mic compatibility. Cabin noise on a fast stage is significantly higher than on a circuit. Browse our intercom range to find the right system for your setup.