Digital roadbook vs paper roadbook for the rally-raid
To participate in rally raids, knowing how to read a roadbook is essential. It is the official document that describes the rally route: tracks, directions, hazards, bearings ➡️ ‼️ … Without it, it is impossible to follow the race.
👉 In other words, to compete in rally raids, you absolutely must know how to read a roadbook.
The format may vary depending on the event: some rallies have switched to digital roadbooks (on tablets), while others still use paper roadbooks with a dispenser.
For the 2025 Carta Rally, we have decided to equip our drivers with F2R Y1000 tablets, replacing the traditional paper roadbooks.
These tablets display the routes provided by the organization via the Terrapirata app, ensuring smoother and more accurate navigation.
💻 Tip for beginners: fun training
To familiarize yourself with reading a roadbook, start with a video game such as Dakar, available on PC and PlayStation. It’s an excellent alternative for learning how to read a roadbook.
Then, you can train with real training:
- Ténéré Centers: at Loïc Minaudier’s in Aveyron
- Desert training camp: with Jordi Arcarons near Merzouga, to train in real desert conditions.
🔍 How to read a roadbook?
A roadbook, whether paper or digital, is always structured in the same way. Understanding how to read it is essential for following the route correctly and anticipating each obstacle.
A roadbook is divided into three columns, read from left to right. Each column contains key information: distance, direction, hazards, or notes.
Symbols and icons are universal, so once you master them, you can anticipate turns, obstacles, and changes in terrain before you even encounter them.
1. Left column: distances and instructions
This column mainly shows distance information:
1- Total distance traveled so far
2- Distance from the previous note
3- Instruction number, to follow the process step by step
It may also include:
- Waypoints or checkpoints
- Additional navigation markers
Any information that helps track your progress
⚠️ This column is essential for synchronizing the roadbook with the odometer and anticipating navigation.
2. Center column: road visualization
The center column is the visual part of the roadbook. Here you will find:
Trajectory patterns: ⬆️ ➡️ ↗️, indicating the type of path and the direction to follow
- Visual landmarks: ruins, houses, lakes, fences… to stay oriented
- Degree caps: for precise positioning when needed
3. Right column: additional information
The right column provides additional details, often critical for safety and navigation:
- Speed limit
- Specific hazards ⁉️
- Precise distances to certain obstacles (e.g., “AND AT 200 m…”)
It supplements the information in the other two columns so that you can anticipate all situations.
👀 Tools for reading a roadbook
To use a roadbook effectively, it is important to have the right tools:
1- ICO / Tripmaster / Course repeater: used to display the course and check the distance, often connected to the wheel as a backup odometer.
2- Odometer (mileage counter): shows the distance traveled and allows you to follow the roadbook accurately. Some models operate using GPS.
3- This ICO is used as a backup odometer and is directly connected to the wheel.
