Your guide to touring assembly terms

Welcome to our glossary, designed to help you navigate the exciting world of non-competitive rallies and touring assemblies. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your journey, this page is here to clarify common terms and make your experience even better.

Cars

The vehicles used to take part in a rally, tour, or driving event. Depending on the event, these may range from classic cars and historic rally cars to modern road cars. Some events have eligibility rules based on age, model, or vehicle type, while others are open to any road-legal vehicle.

Certificate of Exemption

a special permit from Motorsport UK required for non-competitive motoring events like touring assemblies, scenic club runs and classic car tours. It provides baseline insurance coverage for the organising club and officials, ensuring the tour complies with national regulations without needing full competitive authorisations.

Classic Tour

A non-competitive organised drive, often designed for classic, historic, or interesting modern vehicles. Classic tours focus on Scenic driving roads, Navigation using a roadbook or tulips, Visiting landmarks, Social stops.    Enjoying the journey rather than speed as unlike stage rallies, classic tours take place entirely on public roads while following normal traffic laws.

Crew

The people taking part inside the car. A crew usually consists of the Driver and Navigator who is responsible for following the roadbook, reading out direction, keeping time where required and assisting the driver.  Some touring events allow solo entrants and some even allow additional passengers.

Eligibility

The set of rules that determine whether a car or crew may enter an event. Eligibility can include factors such as, Vehicle age, Vehicle category, Road legality (Insurance and MOT) and Membership of a motor club (for some events).  Always check the event regulations before entering.

Navigation

The process of following the correct route throughout an event.  Navigation may involve Tulip diagrams, Written route instructions, Maps, Grid references, Timing information, Mileage checks.  Good navigation helps the crew stay on course and enjoy the event without unnecessary detours.

Plates

Special identification panels displayed on participating vehicles.  These usually include Event name, Event logo, Competition or entrant number, Sponsor logos. Plates help organisers, marshals, and spectators identify vehicles and are often kept as souvenirs after the event.

Roadbook

The primary navigation guide supplied by event organisers.  A roadbook typically contains Tulip diagrams, Distance information, Route instructions, Timing details, Hazard warnings, Fuel and refreshment stops, Emergency contact information. For many touring assemblies and classic tours, the roadbook is the crew’s most important document and serves as the official guide for the entire event.

Touring Assembly

A non-competitive form of grassroots rallying and a great way to get a taste of the sport of rallying and fun for all ages. There are often refreshment stops where competitors can socialise with other enthusiasts. Depending on the event Touring Assemblies are often organised for Historical cars, classic cars, Cars of interest, Sports cars, particular Makes or everyday road cars. Check to see if your car is Eligible with the event organisers.

Tripmeter

A distance-measuring device used during touring assemblies, regularity rallies, and navigational events to accurately record the distance travelled by a vehicle. A tripmeter can usually be reset to zero at the start of an event or section, allowing crews to measure distances precisely from a known point.  In touring assembly navigation, the tripmeter is an essential aid for both the driver and navigator. The navigator uses it alongside the route instructions, tulip diagrams, or map references to identify junctions, checkpoints, and other navigation features at the correct distances. Accurate tripmeter readings help the crew stay on the intended route and avoid navigation errors.  Tripmeters can be mechanical, electronic, or GPS-assisted.