Do you dream of becoming a rally driver? Meet KJS!

If you have long felt that standard driving on state roads is not enough for you and are looking for more challenging challenges, take an interest in KJS. It is an acronym for Competition Car Driving, an automotive event for amateur drivers. An event that you can take part in.

Difficult routes. Rivalry. Lots of car enthusiasts. Moreover, everything is done legally.

Sounds interesting? Do you rub your hands just thinking of yourself as a rally driver? Pause and read the article. There you will find all the information you need to know about KJS and how you get started on your competitive adventure.

What are KJS rallies anyway?

KJS was created for drivers who dream of racing with other riders and competing for a better time. You compete in your own car, but you don't have to meet any difficult conditions for a classic race.

The situation is a little different with Super KJS, which you can read about later in this article.

You will learn more about the competitions themselves in each auto club. Look around, you will surely find at least one. If you are serious about racing, sign up for them. You will meet experienced people who will help you take your first steps in motorsport.

You can also find a complete list of car clubs on the official website of the Polish Automobile Association (pzm.pl).

An interesting fact is that - according to the official position of PZM - in the case of KJS, we should not use the terms "competitor" and "rally". Why? Because they apply to professional drivers with sports licenses.

What is the race about?

Before you start your introductory sessions, carefully check what the KJS events are about. Below we have prepared a short description of them for you.

Competitions are held by analogy with the Polish championship. Therefore, prepare to inspect each vehicle before takeoff. In addition, the organizers designate checkpoints where time is measured.

The competition itself consists of at least 6 so-called "Fitness tests" with a total length of no more than 25 km. Each test is a maximum of 2 km - unless the race is held on a track with a valid PZM license. Then the length of the tests does not exceed 4,2 km.

The organizers mapped the route using chicanes (tires, cones or natural obstacles). They do this in such a way that drivers can drive through each section at a speed of no more than 45 km / h. The speed may not be dizzying, but KJS thus ensure safety and reduce the risk of serious accidents.

After all, the players are amateurs.

Races usually take place on tracks, parking lots or large areas. Sometimes organizers also order a test on a public road, but then they must meet additional requirements (having an ambulance card, road rescue vehicle, etc.) and have the appropriate permits.

KJS rules - who drives the car?

In KJS, as in the case of professional rallies, the crew consists of a driver and a pilot. If you have a Category B driver's license, you are already eligible for your first role. You don't need additional permits or special licenses.

The requirements for the role of a pilot are even lower. A candidate without a driver's license is also possible, he must be only 17 years old. However, low requirements do not mean that everyone will find a place in this position. Since the pilot guides the driver and warns of future turns and hazards, select someone with a good understanding of the terrain. Organization and resilience will be additional assets.

There is one more thing. If you participate in KJS in a vehicle owned by another person, you will need their written permission.

KJS - where to start?

Once you become a member of the car club, you will have access to all car events. However, complete all necessary formalities prior to takeoff. Do not forget about this, you cannot go without them.

It's about:

• payment of a fee for participation in the event (the price ranges from 50 to 250 PLN),
• driver's license and identity card,
• current liability insurance and accident insurance.

Prepare everything on the day of the event, and you will avoid a situation where the organizers will disqualify you before the start of the competition.

How to prepare for amateur rallies?

Before signing up for the first competition, try your hand at the difficult conditions of the rally track on your own. KJS is very different from traditional car driving. Even if you feel comfortable driving on state roads, the race is likely to be quite challenging for you.

This is why pre-competition preparation is so important.

You will launch it now, that is, in front of a computer or phone screen. Find articles online about proper running technique (and more) and start learning with theory. Thanks to the knowledge gained, you will be much more confident in the transition to practice.

It is best to make your first attempts in a location that is closed to traffic, such as an unobstructed plaza or an abandoned parking lot. Don't think about the race right away, but rather start with the basics, such as correct driving position, sporty shifting or starting, acceleration and braking (including cornering).

You will succeed if you follow the tests that are taken in real KJS. Plan a route, take a friend with a stopwatch with you and give it a try. Thanks to timing, you can easily check your progress.

Pilot training

Last but not least is the contact with the pilot. You form a team with him, so your chemistry is a big part of the race. Determine which commands are best for your situation and practice them as you drive. For example, have your pilot prepare a route that you know nothing about. Then drive him only on his commands.

Through this exercise, you will learn how to interact while driving.

Helmet

Finally, we note the technical side of the preparation. Both you and your pilot need helmets - this is a KJS requirement. Here the question immediately arises: what kind of head protection will be the best?

There is no single correct answer.

It is best to avoid the cheapest models as their quality is poor. And the most expensive helmets seem like an exaggeration if you're just starting out and don't know how your racing career will go. Therefore, the best choice would be a product of average quality, the price of which does not exceed PLN 1000.

A good way to learn is karting

If you want to try your hand at racing on a real track, there is no better way than go-kart. You are sure to find at least one go-kart track in your area. Keep practicing and you'll learn the basics of racing pretty well.

Many rally stars started out with karting. Why?

Because you can easily face overloads that affect the car at high speed and in difficult conditions. In addition, you will learn better steering and proper behavior, not to mention training qualities such as responsiveness and attentiveness to changes on the road.

A car for KJS – does it have to be expensive?

Against. In the KJS competition, different cars compete, most of which are older. The reason is very simple - the race heavily loads the car, so its mechanisms wear out quickly.

Take Kajetan Kaetanovich, for example. He has won the European title three times and is just starting out in KJS. What did he drive then?

Good old Fiat 126p.

As you can see, motorsport isn't just for wealthy people. For KJS, you need a car for only a few hundred zlotys.

However, it still needs to meet several requirements. However, don't worry, they aren't too prohibitive. They exist primarily to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the race.

Thus, in addition to the basic one (only cars, cars and trucks that are allowed to drive on Polish roads participate in the race), each vehicle must have:

• safety belt,
• head restraints in the driver's and pilot's seats,
• fire extinguisher (min.1 kg),
• first aid kit,
• identical wheels on each axle (both rims and tires - the latter bearing at least an approval mark E)
• both bumpers.

In addition, be sure to securely fasten each item in the trunk.

As you can see, these are not any special requirements. You can even take part in the KJS in the car you drive to work every day. However, we do not recommend using this idea. Racing and the associated overload will likely quickly turn your beloved car into useless scrap metal.

You will do better if you buy an additional car for the competition for 2-3 PLN.

As a beginner, choose something that is cheap and durable. Find a car that won't cost you expensive repairs. This way, failure won't ruin your budget, so you can spend some time gaining experience.

Also select the most used tires from the bottom shelf. Why? After all, when driving aggressively, the tires wear out the fastest.

That's it for classic KJS. For Super KJS races, an additional requirement is to install a cage on the vehicle.

KJS - cars and their classes

As in boxing, participants fight in different weight categories, so in races, cars are divided into classes depending on the engine size. The reason is simple. Car with 1100 cm engine³ you won't get into a fair fight with one with a 2000 cc engine.³.

This is why drivers compete in their classes on the KJS. The most common categories are:

• Up to 1150 cm³ - 1 class
• 1151-1400 see³ - 2 class
• 1401-1600 see³ - 3 class
• 1601-2000 see³ - 4 class
• Over 2000 cm³ - 5 class

The situation is somewhat different with turbocharged cars. We then calculate the class based on the multiplier obtained from the rated engine size. For gasoline with ZI ignition, the coefficient is 1,7, for diesel with ZS ignition - 1,5.

That is, if you have a car with a 1100 cc gasoline engine.³ and turbocharged you are in class 4 (1100 cc).³ * 1,7 = 1870 cm³).

In addition to the above, you will find additional classes. One is a 4×4 for XNUMXWD vehicles and the other is a GUEST class for competitors with a sports license who want to start in KJS.

However, remember that the above classes are flexible. Each event organizer determines them independently, based on the number of cars and the rank of the race.

First approach to KJS

Imagine you are driving your first rally. How to start and not get lost in the midst of everything that happens on the spot?

Fortunately, the organizers always explain the basics.

Before the start of the race, you will learn about the course of the event (including the number of tests), the type of coverage, and the place and time of the check. However, do not wait for KJS technicians to confirm that there are no faults. Before the event, check the condition of the car yourself and make sure everything is in order.

Also, do not forget about good rest on the eve of the competition.

And when you're on the track for the first time, don't worry about stress. This is a perfectly normal reaction. Know that no one expects great results from you when you first start. If you want to be wrong, now is the time. Don't fight for the best result at any cost, but focus on driving and fixing bugs.

After each rehearsal, your pilot checks the time and you move on to the next episode.

You are entitled to a short trip, so take advantage of it. Do some preliminary research and your pilot will update the sample blueprint as needed. Make notes on it and mark all unsafe route elements and anything else worth knowing.

Also, watch out for other drivers. Pay close attention to what they have their biggest problem with and use that knowledge as you travel.

What gives you a win in KJS?

Of course, a huge dose of satisfaction and unforgettable impressions. In addition, the best riders receive material prizes, the type of which largely depends on the sponsor.

Since KJS usually attracts funding from car companies, the prize pool most often includes automotive products or parts such as batteries, motor oils, etc. In addition, auto clubs often prepare trophies for the winners. This is a great souvenir that you can also show off to your friends and family.

As you can see, KJS doesn't need a rally car or a lot of money. In addition, the organizers do not require you to have a sports license or additional training. All you need is an ordinary car, courage and a little perseverance. When you stand on the competition track, you experience the same emotions as professional rally drivers.