Rallye du Maroc 2019: Roabook gains colour

Among several news and changes for the 2019 edition of Rallye du Maroc, the organization led by David Castera will introduce a new type of roadbook.  Used for many years, the very well-known black and white roadbook that is usually delivered to the participants the night before each stage has a serious upgrade planned. Until now, the roadbook was delivered to the teams in the day before the stage was raced, allowing for the co-drivers or riders to study and mark the paper with colour pens and highlighters whatever way they think is needed to be more clear, like danger zones or important points in the route like crossroads or check points.  But with the evolution of technology, especially satellite mapping and navigation, many teams started to use these new tools to better understand what they will find in the stage and be better prepared, gaining incremental advantage over the others "not so gifted in new technologies".

The 2019 Rallye du Maroc will be like a "test tube" of a new system, that is providing the participants with a roadbook already marked, in a system similar to those used by the co-drivers and riders themselves. In two stages of this year's edition of Rallye du Maroc, the participants will receive this new roadbook version only 15 minutes before the start.  Despite official comments that this new system is intended to allow more time for the participants to rest and take care of their vehicles, the main goal should be to return to the race the necessary of balance between speed and navigation skills necessary for the big desert stages that still attract hundreds.

If proven successful and well accepted by the teams, it will be no surprise if this new coloured roadbook will also be used in other rallies, including the world famous Dakar Rally.

Text Rally-Raid Network
Image: Rallye du Maroc