Zero car
Course car (numbered 0, 00 or 000) that drives the route ahead of the field without being scored.
The zero car is an opening vehicle that drives the route shortly before the actual field of competitors. It usually carries the start number 0, 00 or 000 and is not scored itself. Its task is to check the route one last time, verify the signage and the control posts, and make sure everything is ready.
For the control posts the zero car serves as a dress rehearsal: they can test their timing and procedures before the first scored crews arrive. Experienced drivers or officials often sit in the zero car. The term comes from international rallying and is used worldwide.
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Related terms
07er-Kennzeichen
Germany's red classic-car plate (rotes 07-Kennzeichen): one transferable plate for several historic vehicles, usable only for events plus test, transfer and workshop drives – never for everyday use.
Regrouping
The deliberate reassembling of the field at rallies, so that all cars arrive at the finish together without large delays.
Target-time test
A scored task in which a section must be driven in an exactly prescribed target time; the deviation is scored (abbr. SZP). Identical to the Zeitprüfung (ZP). Unlike the GLP, the single target time counts, not a constant average.