Co-Driver Calls & Terminology

Co-Driver Calls & Terminology

Mastering the co-driver's calls is paramount to success in Dirt Rally 2.0. Your co-driver is your eyes beyond the immediate track, providing crucial information about upcoming corners, hazards, and terrain changes. Ignoring or misinterpreting these calls will inevitably lead to costly mistakes, punctures, and DNF's.

Understanding the Pace Notes System

Dirt Rally 2.0 uses a numerical pace note system for corners, typically ranging from 1 to 6, where 1 is the tightest corner and 6 is the fastest, most open corner. Some calls might even include "Square" for a 90-degree turn or "Hairpin" for an extremely tight, almost 180-degree turn. Pay close attention to the number and the direction (Left/Right) to anticipate your braking and steering inputs.

• 1 Left/Right: Extremely tight, often requiring significant braking and a low gear. Approach with caution.
• 2 Left/Right: Very tight, still requiring heavy braking. Often a good spot for a handbrake turn if conditions allow.
• 3 Left/Right: Moderately tight, requiring solid braking and precise steering.
• 4 Left/Right: Medium speed corner, often taken with a lift off the throttle or light braking.
• 5 Left/Right: Fast corner, usually a slight lift or full throttle with careful steering.
• 6 Left/Right: Very fast, almost a straight. Often taken flat out.
• Square Left/Right: A 90-degree turn. Treat similar to a "2" or "3" depending on approach speed.
• Hairpin Left/Right: An extremely tight turn, often requiring a full stop or very slow crawl. Definitely use the handbrake.

Key Co-Driver Terms & Their Meanings

Beyond the corner calls, your co-driver will use several terms to describe the road ahead. Understanding these is crucial for maintaining speed and avoiding damage.

Corner Modifiers:

• "Long": Indicates an extended corner that requires you to hold your steering input for a longer duration. Be prepared for sustained lateral G-forces.
• "Open": The corner tightens less than expected, or opens up towards the exit, allowing you to get on the power earlier.
• "Tightens": The corner becomes tighter as you progress through it. Start wide and aim for a later apex.
• "Kink": A very slight bend in the road, often taken flat out.
• "Crest": A blind rise in the road. Be cautious as you won't see the road beyond until you're over it. Your co-driver will often combine this with a corner call, e.g., "Crest and 4 Left."

Road Surface & Hazards:

• "Jump": A significant rise that will launch your car into the air. Prepare for landing by straightening the car and managing throttle.
• "Bump" / "Bumpy": Uneven road surface. Can unsettle the car, especially at high speeds. Adjust suspension setup in the Service Area if consistently struggling.
• "Rough": Indicates a particularly damaged or uneven section of track. Expect reduced grip and potential for damage.
• "Rocks" / "Boulders": Specific obstacles on or near the track. Avoid at all costs to prevent punctures or suspension damage.
• "Water" / "Puddle": Standing water on the track. Can cause aquaplaning and loss of grip.
• "Cut" / "Don't Cut": "Cut" means you can safely cut the inside of the corner, often over a small bank or verge, to straighten the line. "Don't Cut" means there's an obstacle (rock, tree, deep ditch) that will cause damage if you attempt to cut.

Directional & Distance Calls:

• "Into": Immediately followed by another call, indicating two corners are very close together, e.g., "3 Left into 4 Right."
• "And": Similar to "Into" but usually with a very short straight section between corners, e.g., "5 Right and 3 Left."
• "Over": Often used with "Crest" or "Jump" to indicate a corner or hazard immediately after the elevation change, e.g., "Crest over 3 Right."
• "Keep Left/Right": Directs you to stay on a specific side of the road to set up for the next corner or avoid a hazard.
• "Through Gate": Indicates passing through a narrow opening, often between trees or barriers.
• Distances (e.g., "50", "100"): These numbers indicate the distance in meters to the next call. Use these to plan your braking and acceleration zones.

Actionable Walkthrough Steps for using Calls:

1. Listen Actively: Don't just hear the calls; actively process them. Your co-driver will often give calls well in advance, allowing you time to prepare.
2. Anticipate & Visualize: As soon as you hear a call like "4 Left, 50, 2 Right," visualize the sequence of corners. This helps you plan your braking and turn-in points.
3. Adjust Call Timing: In the "Audio" settings menu (accessible from the Main Menu or during a stage pause), you can adjust the "Co-Driver Call Timing." Experiment with this. Some drivers prefer earlier calls for more reaction time, while others prefer later calls for more immediate information.
4. Practice Specific Stages: If you're struggling with a particular stage, use the "Custom Event" mode to practice it repeatedly. Focus solely on listening to the co-driver and matching your driving to their instructions.
5. Use the Pace Note Display: While not ideal for competitive driving, the on-screen pace note display (which can be toggled in "HUD" settings) can be a valuable learning tool when you're first getting to grips with the terminology. It visually reinforces what your co-driver is saying.
6. Combine Calls with Visual Cues: Even with perfect calls, always use your eyes to confirm what the co-driver is saying. Look for trackside objects, changes in surface, and the general shape of the road to corroborate the information.

By diligently practicing and understanding these co-driver calls, you'll transform from a struggling amateur into a precision rally driver, capable of tackling even the most treacherous stages Dirt Rally 2.0 has to offer.