Sanduhrklasse
Rally category in which only mechanical measuring and timing devices are permitted.
The hourglass class is a scoring category in classic car rallies and regularity events. In this class, only mechanical devices may be used for passing light barriers and speed controls – no electronic aids. In practice this means distance counters must be mechanically driven, stopwatches may not contain batteries, and the use of mobile phones or GPS aids during the drive is prohibited. Violations are penalised under the regulations. Many organisers distinguish between the hourglass class and an electronics class in which digital devices are allowed.
While original mechanical distance counters from the heyday of rallying are sought after, suitable mechanical timing instruments are still produced today: the long-established German manufacturer Hanhart (founded in 1882), for instance, still makes mechanical precision stopwatches in its ClassicTimer line, which run without a battery and are therefore suited to the hourglass class.
You can find current and upcoming hourglass-class rallies in the rally overview on RallyGuide.
Glossary from A to Z
Related terms
Chronometer
The navigator's precise timing instrument for checking target and actual times while driving.
Light barrier
Photoelectric timing device that triggers the exact time as the vehicle passes – standard for timing special stages.
Elektronik-Klasse
German name for the scoring class, mainly in pure regularity rallies, that allows all kinds of odometers and clocks in the car – including digital or GPS-based aids. The counterpart to the Sanduhrklasse.