Regularity Rallying: Understanding the VHR, VHRS and VMRS Categories

The regularity rally, or TSD Rally in English (for Time, Speed and Distance), is becoming increasingly popular. Here, the goal isn’t to be the fastest, but to master your pace — an approach where precision and consistency take precedence over pure performance.

It’s another way to experience rallying — calmer in appearance, but just as technical in practice. And beware, “regularity” doesn’t mean slowness: on the special stages, the pace remains high and the slightest mistake costs you immediately 💪

This is a discipline that values precision and consistency, where modern rallying or Historic Competition (VHC) focus primarily on outright speed.

When we talk about regularity rallying, we’re actually referring to several distinct categories: VHR (Véhicule Historique de Régularité – Historic Regularity Vehicle), VHRS (Véhicule Historique de Régularité Sportive – Historic Sporting Regularity Vehicle), and VMRS (Véhicule Moderne de Régularité Sportive – Modern Sporting Regularity Vehicle).

Similar names, but different philosophies, each reflecting a unique way of experiencing rallying 🙂

To truly understand this discipline, it’s essential to look back at its history, its core principle, and the differences between its three main categories: VHR, VHRS and VMRS.

➡️ See all the historic race car listings on GoToTheGrid 😉

History: How did regularity rallying begin?

Originally, the word “rally” comes from the verb to rally: the purpose of the first events, at the end of the 19th century, was simply to bring competitors together at a given point, in all weather conditions, to prove that vehicles could cover long distances on the roads of the time 🥵

After the ban on city-to-city races, the concept of “regularity” naturally emerged. The goal was no longer to arrive as fast as possible, but to maintain an average speed set by the organizers — all while driving on open roads, respecting the traffic laws and real-world conditions.

Then, over time, speed took over again with the appearance of “special stages” — those closed, timed sections that define modern rallying today.

But regularity never completely disappeared. And with the rise of historic vehicles and the growing constraints of organizing events on open roads, regularity made a strong comeback 🥳

ℹ️ Iconic events such as the Monte-Carlo Historique or the Tour Auto helped restore the prestige of this discipline. It then developed into several categories — from “touring” rallies to officially sanctioned FFSA competitions — forming what we now know as VHR, VHRS and VMRS.

Also see: "Tour Auto: Luxury, Performance, and Automotive Heritage"

This revival still relies on the same fundamentals: meticulously planned routes, navigation via roadbook, and precise timing ⏱️

Of course, technology has evolved: GPS beacons have replaced marshals hiding behind hedges. But the spirit remains the same — drive with precision, share a human and mechanical adventure, and respect both the road and the stopwatch 👌

The principle of regularity rallying: how does it work?

The concept seems simple: it’s not about being the fastest, but about being consistent 🤓

A regularity rally takes place on a road course alternating between two types of sections:

• Liaisons: transfer sections on open roads, where crews must obey traffic laws.
• Regularity Zones (ZR): formerly called “tests” or “sectors”, these are timed sections where competitors must maintain as accurately as possible an average speed imposed by the organizer.

Timing is done to the second, in accordance with current regulations. Every second of deviation from the ideal time results in a one-second penalty, whether you’re early or late ⌛

ℹ️ Example: for an average speed set at 60 km/h over 10 km (i.e. 10 minutes ideal time), a crew finishing in 9’39” receives 21 seconds of penalty, and another finishing in 10’31” receives 31.

The average speed is set by the organizer depending on road conditions, elevation, width, or weather. It can even change several times within the same ZR ❗

The co-driver becomes the real brains of the team: calculating, calling, and adjusting while keeping an eye on the road. Some stages include multiple sections with different average speeds — sometimes 48 km/h on a twisty part, then 70 km/h on a faster one — turning each ZR into a true precision exercise 🎯

To navigate and know the required speeds, the co-driver uses a detailed roadbook. It’s a discipline of rigor, where communication between driver and co-driver makes all the difference 🤝

VHR: enjoying regularity on open roads

This is the ideal category to discover regularity rallying, often called "regularity for fun", or organized as navigation rallies or tourist automotive runs.

The VHR is the most accessible entry point. These events take place on open roads, most often under the banner of the FFVE (Fédération Française des Véhicules d’Époque – French Federation of Classic Vehicles) or as independent events. The FFSA (Fédération Française du Sport Automobile) organizes very few of them, focusing more on the VHRS and VMRS categories.

They mainly feature classic cars, built up to December 31, 1996, sometimes true collector’s items, following a set route while respecting traffic laws, with time controls and average speeds always below 50 km/h.

ℹ️ Note that the two federations do not apply exactly the same criteria: the FFSA defines “historic” vehicles as those produced before 1997, while the FFVE considers any model over 30 years old as a collector vehicle, regardless of its production year.

In short, a car built in 1996 can therefore participate in an FFSA VHR even if it’s not yet 30 years old and doesn’t have a collector registration 😉

It’s a “touristic” approach to regularity rallying, but a very educational one: you need to know how to read a roadbook, manage time pressure, and maintain consistent precision 👌

Previously, the use of electronic precision instruments (Chronopist, Terratrip, Blunik, GPS, mobile apps, etc.) was officially forbidden in VHR. But in practice, this rule has become impossible to enforce — most teams now carry smartphones or connected devices to monitor their pace.

In reality, all electronic tools are now tolerated, unless otherwise specified in the event’s supplementary regulations. The only competition where this rule is strictly enforced is the Tour Auto, whose organizers have the manpower to check the absence of electronic devices or phones on board 👮

This flexibility doesn’t take away from the spirit of VHR: regularity still depends on pacing, precision, and managing your average speed — whether you’re using a stopwatch or a digital tool.

No roll cage or FIA equipment is required: cars simply need to be insured, road-legal, and in good working condition. VHR is therefore the ideal way to experience regularity rallying without the constraints of full competition.

💡 License or not? If the event is organized under the FFSA, a regularity license (or a participation permit with a medical certificate) will be required. For navigation rallies or tourist runs outside the federation, no license is needed: simply check with the organizer before registering.

Once you’ve mastered the discipline on open roads, many drivers naturally move on to VHRS — the more sporty, timed version of regularity rallying 🔥

VHRS – Sporting regularity on closed roads

The VHRS (Véhicule Historique de Régularité Sportive – Historic Sporting Regularity Vehicle) takes the logic of VHR one step further. Here, competitors leave open roads behind and move to closed-road stages, often alongside a Historic Competition Rally (VHC).

The cars therefore run on the same special stages as the VHCs, but their classification is based on regularity, not speed. Before the start, each crew chooses its average pace: low, medium, or high.

ℹ️ The maximum average speed set by the FFSA is 75 km/h, adjusted in case of rain (–3 km/h in light rain, –5 km/h in heavy rain).

As in VHR, the use of electronic tools is authorized in VHRS. Teams may use electronic tripmasters (such as Terratrip or Blunik), GPS beacons, or mobile applications to monitor their averages. This instrumentation allows great accuracy in maintaining target times 👌

ℹ️ Some mobile applications, like Rabbit Rally, are also suitable for beginners.

VHC cars usually start first, followed by VHRS crews, though the exact order is up to the organizer. Timing points are kept secret to ensure fairness and verify each crew’s regularity. A deviation of more than 10% from the imposed average can result in disqualification. This rule helps exclude crews that don’t play the game and would adopt a racing pace, contrary to the spirit of the discipline ❌

Eligible cars and required documents for a VHRS rally

The VHRS category is open to the following vehicles:

• Competition cars eligible under the periods and classes defined in FIA Appendix K — i.e., models homologated up to December 31, 1990.
• Touring and Grand Touring cars compliant with French road regulations, built up to December 31, 1996.

ℹ️ Certain legendary Group B cars, considered too powerful or difficult to insure, remain banned: Audi Sport Quattro S1, Peugeot 205 T16, MG Metro 6R4, Citroën BX 4TC, Lancia Delta S4, Ford RS200, and Subaru XT Turbo. The organizer may also refuse a car that doesn’t match the “spirit of the period,” so it’s important to check each event’s supplementary regulations.

👉 Documents required during administrative checks:

• The car’s registration certificate (carte grise),
• Driver’s license,
• A Historic Regularity Pass, an HTP (Historic Technical Passport), or an FFSA Technical Passport,
• An NCCR license (National Regularity Driver/Competitor License) or a participation permit with a medical certificate stating no contraindication to motorsport.

📩 To obtain a regularity pass, simply contact the FFSA at pth@ffsa.org. The cost is €115 in 2025 and should remain unchanged for 2026.

✅ Information confirmed by the FFSA: for a VHRS rally, the car’s roadworthiness inspection and insurance are not mandatory as long as the vehicle remains on the official course (closed stages, authorized liaisons, service parks). In this case, crews are covered by the rally’s insurance. However, if the car drives outside the course (for example, to go to a hotel, restaurant, or arrive at the rally without a trailer), it must then be insured and have a valid roadworthiness test.

The minimum age to participate is 16 years old, with parental authorization and a guardian’s license for minors.

Also see: "What's the price of a Peugeot 306 Maxi ?"

Preparing and equipping a VHRS rally car

It’s entirely possible to prepare your car for VHRS: improve the brakes, suspension, or safety — while keeping the original homologation base.

Minimum mandatory equipment:

• CE-approved helmet,
• 2 kg fire extinguisher securely fixed inside the car,
• Two high-visibility vests,
• Warning triangle,
• Long-sleeved clothing.

ℹ️ Roll cages, racing seats, and FIA harnesses are allowed but not mandatory, even in high average categories. They were previously required, but the rules have been relaxed to make the discipline more accessible without compromising safety.

Tires allowed in VHRS

“Slick” racing tires are prohibited, but semi-slicks are allowed provided they have an E or DOT marking on the sidewall.

Tire cutting is forbidden, and cars must carry between one and two spare wheels.

VHRS therefore keeps a genuine authenticity: you drive on legendary stages in vintage cars, but with lighter requirements than a full-speed rally. It’s this mix of history, precision, and camaraderie that makes it so charming 👍

VMRS: modern regularity for recent cars

The newest member of the family, the VMRS (Véhicules Modernes de Régularité Sportive – Modern Sporting Regularity Vehicles) category applies the same philosophy as VHRS, but with modern cars built from January 1, 1997 onward.

This is a recent discipline, now officially recognized by the FFSA and rapidly growing, driven by the enthusiasm for modern regularity events 🥳

VMRS events are also held on closed roads, with the same rules regarding average speed and the same allowance for precision electronic instruments.

ℹ️ Each car must be insured, registered, road legal, and accompanied by the required documents: driver’s license, registration certificate, valid roadworthiness inspection, and FFSA license or participation permit with medical certificate.

Unlike the historic categories, no technical passport or regularity pass is required to take part 😉

During administrative checks, organizers may request:

• Valid proof of insurance,
• Valid roadworthiness inspection (or test report),
• And, depending on the event, proof of registration and driver identity.

The organizer reserves the right to refuse a vehicle that is non-compliant or poorly maintained, in order to ensure safety and fairness.

VMRS subcategories

Vehicles are divided into three subcategories:

• LTRS (Loisir Tourisme de Régularité Sportive): regular touring cars with combustion engines,
• LPRS (Loisir Prestige de Régularité Sportive): GT cars with combustion engines,
• ENRS (Énergies Nouvelles de Régularité Sportive): hybrid and electric vehicles.

ℹ️ Still limited to a maximum average speed of 75 km/h, the LPRS and LTRS categories may be allowed slightly higher averages than VHRS. Convertibles are only permitted in medium or low averages and must remain roofed throughout the event.

Equipment and eligible vehicles in VMRS

You’ll see a wide variety of cars here: Renault Clio RS, Peugeot 308 GTi, Subaru Impreza WRX, Alpine A110, Ford Focus ST, and BMW M140i, among others.

It’s an affordable and well-supervised way to enjoy the atmosphere of a rally without expensive preparation. No need for a roll cage, harness, or slick tires — a CE helmet, a fire extinguisher, a triangle, two vests, and a well-maintained car are enough 😋

Semi-slick tires are allowed as long as they have an E or DOT marking on the sidewall.

GPS timing systems don’t miss a thing: the slightest deviation from the target average is penalized, and excessive discrepancies may lead to financial penalties or even disqualification. The goal remains to play fair — not to take risks with a stock car.

VMRS is above all a modern gateway into the world of regularity rallying. It lets drivers compete safely within the FFSA framework, without heavy modifications or high budgets — a great alternative for enthusiasts wanting to experience rally spirit differently.

VHR, VHRS or VMRS: which category should you choose? 🤔

Long seen as “gentle” formats, regularity rallies are now recognized as true sporting disciplines — and their popularity continues to rise. More and more events are fully booked, proving the genuine enthusiasm for this more accessible approach to motorsport.

They offer a calmer, more affordable, and often more technical way to experience rallying. Maintaining an average speed to the second, without driving aids and on closed roads, requires as much focus as a flat-out special stage.

For many teams, it’s also a way to keep competing without the pressure of the stopwatch — to preserve their cars or simply to share their passion as a duo 😎 The co-driver experiences the stage as much as the driver: counting, correcting, announcing, anticipating. Every corner becomes a rhythm exercise.

Some purists still see it as a “secondary category,” but those who have tried it know that regularity rallying is anything but a Sunday drive 😉 And at a time when motorsport is seeking to reinvent itself, these more accessible and sustainable formats may well point the way forward.

VHR, VHRS, and VMRS all share the same philosophy: to preserve the spirit of rallying — but with different rules. Here, victory isn’t about tenths of a second, but about perfectly held seconds — without ever losing track of time or of enjoyment.