What does the co-driver say during the time attack, and what does it mean?
I’m guessing you’re referring to the reading of the pace notes. What the co-driver is reading out is a description of the road ahead. It’s strung together – one obstacle after another, and flows along as they progress. Corners are often given a number dependant on their severity – a 7 corner is a long, open sweeping corner that can be taken at full speed. A 3 corner is probably a sharp elbow, while a 2 or a 1 is reserved for u-turns or hairpins. Other obstacles are described – rocks or obstructions near the edge of the road, water, jumps, grids etc. An example of pace note chatter: “One hundred, seven left tightens then fifty jump, then two hundred 3 right – rocks, don’t cut, into hairpin left, fifty jump then fifty water into 4 right – fence, don’t cut…” What does all that mean? One hundred metres to a sweeping left hand turn that tightens, then fifty metres to a jump, then two hundred metres to a sharp right turn. The turn has rocks near the inside edge that you will hit if you cut
