An Introduction to Navigational Scatters
What is a Navigational Scatter?
A Navigational Scatter combines the fun of a treasure hunt and the skill of orienteeing with the motor cor, allowing competetors to rally down the UK's hidden maze of country lanes.
The Start
On arrival at the start location crews will be given a set of Final Instructions. These provide information about the finish location, the position and timing of the control marshals and any details about cautions and black spots. At the start time (usually 7pm) crews will be issued with their first set of clues.
Solving the clues
Clues have different point values (between 1 and 3) according to their location and difficulty level. Solving the clues will provide a grid reference on your map and you should mark this Route Check (RC) on your map. It is the navigator's responsibility to chose a route between RCs and direct the driver accordingly. More clues will be issued on arrival at the control marshals.
Control Marshals
Control Marshals will only be present at their location for a limited time period. During this time, points and more clues are available to any crews which visit them. The location of the control marshals in relation to the RCs you have plotted will influence your chosen route. For five minutes before and after the control marshal's opening period you will be able to visit and collect the clues, but not the points.
Finish
Crews must arrive at the finish pub and hand in their answer sheets by a set time (usually 10pm). Arriving after this time will result in you being outside time limit (OTL) and getting no points.
Scoring
You will get up to 3 points for visiting each RC (depending on its point value)
You will get 10 points for each Control Marshal you visit.
You will get 5 points for completing a simple "bonus task" which will be given to you at one of the Control Marshals.
Results
The result sheets will be totalled up in the finish pub after the event and provisional results will be produced. These results will become final results the next day (subject to appeals and drunken mathematics) and be displayed on the club notice board and on the website.
Top Tips
- Make sure you visit each Control Marshal as 10 points are on offer for each
- It may be worth spending some time solving the more difficult three-point clues to save driving a long distance between three easy one-point clues
- Don't sit at the start solving clues for longer than 20 minutes or you may run out of driving time
- Drivers, avoid arguing with your Navigator - they are always right (or was that left?). There is no point falling out - it's just a bit of fun anyway
- As crews become more experienced, it may become possible for the navigators to plot some of the simpler clues while you are driving out of Southampton and save some time
- A Navigational Scatter is not a speed event and relies on accurate navigation. We would rather see you at the finish than identify you at the morgue
- If you get stuck ask the Marshals - they are there to help
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Navigational Scatters are an excellent opportunity to experience affordable rally driving.
| 