Understanding Open Checkpoints

Traditional Atlantic Region MotorSports (ARMS) events—like the Bluenose Rally and Midwinter Moon Rally—rely on minute-timed Open Checkpoints.

Here is what to expect and how to keep your penalties low:

• The Process: Look for a roadside vehicle with a white sign showing a checkmark. Drive past, pull over safely, and send the driver back with your route card. (Why the driver? Because drivers have been known to drive off without navigators, but never the other way around! Plus, it gives your navigator time to do the math.)
• The Timing: Arrival times drop the seconds and round to the top of the minute. Your score is based on your elapsed time from the last control to the checkpoint sign. Once assigned a new departure time, your schedule resets—you cannot make up past errors on the next leg.
• Approach Strategy:
  • Running Early? Ease off the gas as soon as you spot the sign. Slow to a crawl if necessary (without stopping!) to let the clock roll into a later minute.
  • Running Late? Safely pick up the pace on your approach to squeeze across the line before the minute turns over.

Always drive safely, maintain full control of your vehicle, and enjoy the roads. See you at the next road rally in Atlantic Canada!