Competition Divisions
The Great Race field ranges from first-time competitors to past champions. Five competition divisions help organize teams by experience and competitive history while allowing everyone to share the same roads, checkpoints, and challenge.
Grand Champion
Grand Champion represents the highest level of Great Race competition and includes teams connected to past overall wins. These competitors bring extensive rally experience and a history of success in the event.
Official division placement and eligibility are determined by the current Event Regulations.
Expert
Expert includes highly experienced Great Race competitors who have demonstrated strong performance over time. It is one of the most competitive divisions in the field and rewards consistency, precision, and experience.
Exact qualification for Expert is based on the current Event Regulations.
Sportsman
Sportsman brings together a wide range of Great Race competitors, including returning teams with varied levels of experience and competitive history.
It is often one of the larger divisions and includes an especially varied collection of teams and vehicles.
Rookie
Rookie is designed for teams entering the Great Race with limited or no previous Great Race competition experience. It gives newer competitors the opportunity to learn the rally while competing alongside other teams at a similar stage.
Exact Rookie eligibility depends on the experience of the team members and the current Event Regulations.
X-Cup
X-Cup introduces young people to vintage automobiles, rallying, teamwork, and competition. Teams are generally connected to schools, youth programs, or other organized groups and compete while developing hands-on skills and becoming part of the Great Race community.
Which Division Am I In?
The descriptions above are a general overview. If you're considering entering, use the resources below to figure out your next step.
I'm new to the Great Race.
Start with the Rookie information above, then visit the Participant FAQ for preparation, costs, support crews, hotels, and other first-time competitor questions.
Visit the Participant FAQ →I need to know my exact division eligibility.
Division eligibility can depend on prior Great Race experience, team composition, past results, and other official competition rules.
Ask the Rulebook →I'm interested in competing but haven't decided yet.
Learn what the Great Race experience is like, what to expect from the event, and why competitors keep coming back.
Why Join the Great Race? →I'm new to rallying and want to learn.
Start with the Rookie Handbook and tutorial resources to learn about timing, navigation, teamwork, and Great Race-style rallying.
View Tutorials →Start Here
These pages cover the experience, prospective-participant questions, official competition rules, and Rookie preparation.
One Field. Five Divisions.
Different experience levels share the same roads, checkpoints, and challenges — one of the things that makes the Great Race field so unique.
