All about the IBA Rally questions.
If you don't find your question or you answer in this list, please send an email to the Rally Team via info @ ibabenelux.org

What is a Rally?

A rally is a scavenger hunt. You have to go to places that are described in a rally book. These places are called bonus points. To prove that you have visited this place, you usually have to take a picture of it. You will then receive points for this. Each BP has a different point value. The objective is to maximize the points you collect.

Who can participate on a rally?

The rally is designed for motorcyclists. If you have a valid driving license and a motorcycle declared as a motorcycle in the official papers, you are welcome.

Trucks, cars, trikes, quads and motorcycles under 250 cc cannot participate.

Which kind of roads can I expect?

Since you plan your route yourself, you decide which roads you ride on.

Bonus points are mainly on or near paved roads. The quality of the roads varies from country to country. But – it is not an offroad rally – we reached all points with a Honda Pan European.

What do I need for the rally?

To participate you need…

  • a motorcycle and a valid license,include insurance for all countrys you want to go into
  • a GPS device: you will receive a GPX file with the coordinates of all bonus points. You must be able to transfer these into the device
  • appropriate, weatherproof equipment
  • and everything else that makes you safe, happy and successful.

What is the general procedure in a Rally?

Get the Rallybook, plan your route, ride your route, take pictures along the route, be in time at destination, scoring, award ceremony.

Who organizes the rally?

This Rally is organized by the Iron Butt Association (IBA Benelux)

Rallymaster:: IBA Benelux, Michiel Buitenwerf
Rally concept and design: Gerhard 

What can I win?

There are no cash prizes. Participants will receive a certificate and a patch.

Who can participate?

Anyone who is in possession of a valid driving license and drives a vehicle that is registered as a motorcycle according to official documents (i.a. vehicle registration document).

What is a Flag?

A piece of cloth with the rally symbol and the personal start number. Sometimes only a prepared PDF on which the start number itself must be entered. The flag (or the PDF) is provided by the Rally Master. The flag must be recognizable and readable on all photos.

What is a Bonuspoint?

Anything that earns you points is called a bonus point. There are different types of bonus points:

  • Geographical points: Marked by GPX coordinates (rarely by addresses).
  • Tasks: Indicated by an action (e.g. taking a break, eating an ice cream, …).
  • Combinations: A combination of 2..n bonus points for which extra points are given.

 

What kind of tools do I need?

  • A tool to import GPX coordinates and plan routes – e.g. Basecamp.
  • A GPS Unit or something that can be used as a GPS unit and can read and play the planned routes.
  • The possibility to take photos (if necessary, also in the dark).
  • A photo app which aplies a date/time stamp on the photo and save GPS coords in the pic.
  • The possibility to send the photos imediatly per eMail.
  • A mobile phone that also works in the rally area..
  • Pen, paper, flashlight, tape, magnets, dew, transparent covers, tripod, … can be useful.

Can I ride together with my friends?

Yes, you can ride together. But each rider will be scored as an individual rider (e.g. if you ride in a group of 3, all three riders must take their own picture at each bonus location, and so on. )

Can I ride 2up / with pillion?

Of course and with pleasure. If riding with 2up, the pillion must be visible on every photo.

Pillion riders pay an extra fee and also receive a certificate and patch.

What does DNF mean?

DNF stands for “Did Not Finish.” A rider is always DNF if he arrives at the finish line after the specified end of the rally.

In addition, a rider can also be DNF if he does not meet certain rally-specific requirements. These requirements vary from rally to rally and are defined in the rally book.

Riders with DNF status usually do not receive a certificate.

Do I have to drive 24 hours a day?

Absolutely not ! Safety is paramount. If you are tired, take a break immediately !

In big rallies, breaks are even mandatory and must be proven. Voluntary breaks are rewarded with high points.

Does the rally fee include insurance?

No. Any liability of the organizers is excluded. You are solely and exclusively responsible for the risks and their protection. It is your duty to take care of the necessary insurances.

Inside the rally do I have to pay extra fees?

Depending on bonus points and route planning, entrance fees, ferries, cable cars, toll routes or other “stuff” may have to be paid by the driver. A small amount of BP’s is only availible by toll routes.

We do not have BP’s inside museums / parks / … where you have to pay an entry fee.

There are also costs for accommodation, fuel, food and other personal needs.

What is a Rider Meeting?

The Rider Meeting is typically held the day before the rally. There, all relevant information is distributed (such as the bonus points and bonus books), questions can be asked, and the Rally Master may give valuable advice. Attendance is usually mandatory – and useful!

How many bonus points are there?

Around 300+ – more than someone can drive off within the time.

How many bonus points do I need?

Information is given in the Bonusbook. Pay attention that the number of BPs is not important – the value is much more important.

Are there any general rules?

The rules are set by the rally master and recorded in the bonus book. They can be expanded or changed at the drivers meeting if needed.

Typical rules are:

  • Each bonus point must be documented.
  • Each bonus point can only be claimed once.
  • The flag must always be visible on all photos.
  • Receipts must be machine printed and include date, time and location.
  • No bonus point may be photographed during a break.
  • Pillion must also be visible in all photos.
  • Only points that the rider has noted in his logbook will be credited in the scoring.

What is a Log-Book?

The logbook contains the list of all bonus points claimed by a rider. The list must be kept chronologically. Usually the bonus name, date/time and the mileage are to be recorded. At the start of the rally, you receive (at least) a blank logbook. At the scoring this must be filled in cleanly (!!!). Typically, there are only scoring points for the reference points listed there.

Do I have to ride with excessive speed?

No!!! You must drive efficiently and do everything as efficiently as possible, especially when refuelling and take pictures on bonus locations. The goal is not to waste time.
You can lose far more points through poor planning and inefficient handling than you can gain by driving fast.

What is a Rally-Master?

He has thought up and implemented the rally concept. He is responsible for the correctness of the bonus points and for all rules. He is also the final authority in case of questions of interpretation regarding the rules. Usually, it is someone who has driven rallies himself.

What happens if I drop out during the rally?

We hope that this will not happen. But if it does – you are DNF. You will not get any money back.

Could you please book the hotel for me?

No, we only create the framework for a good event. We are not responsible for the accommodation. For the event we will need hotel services (e.g. meeting room), but everyone is free to book accommodation of their choice.

What is a Combo?

A combo is a set of 2 or more bonus points. All points in the combo must be documented to earn special combo points. Combos are “points boosters”. The points can be approached in any way. The only important thing is that they are documented according to the rules.

 

What is Scoring?

At the end of a rally, the logbook and the submitted photos which are noct checked during the rally are used to check which bonus points are credited to the driver. This process is called scoring. Usually, the driver has a certain amount of time after crossing the finish line to put his papers in order, write the logbook neatly and prepare for scoring. No corrections are allowed after the scoring has started.

 

All about money

I’m already registered, but I can’t participate after all.

Too bad … but shit happens. Before 31.12.2024 you will get your money back, after that we can not refund any payment.

What are the payment modalities ?

With your registration you pay 100 €. This is to secure your place, places are limited. Until 31/01/2025 you have to pay the rest, 550 euro.

If the rally takes place – no refund after 31.01.2025. Information about payment will be sent after registration.

The account holder is IBA Benelux.

Can I get a discount because….?

No, there is absolute no discount possible.

I need more time to pay the fees, what can I do?

Nothing. The payment dates are fixed. If you fail to meet these deadlines, your place in the rally will be given to the next in the queue.

 

Questions to this rally in 2025

Which kind of roads can I expect?

Since you plan your route yourself, you decide which roads you ride on.

Bonus points are mainly on or near paved roads. The quality of the roads varies from country to country. But – it is not an offroad rally – we reached all points with a Honda Pan European.

 

Is it possible to change the motorcycle during the rally ?

Yes, once and only if there is no chance to get the bike roadworthy again. If you have to do this, it will cost you a large amount of points (exact values will be announced at the rider meeting.)

What happens if I drop out during the rally?

We hope that this will not happen. But if it does – you are DNF. You will not get any money back.

Could you please book the hotel for me?

No, we only create the framework for a good event. We are not responsible for the accommodation. For the event we will need hotel services (e.g. meeting room), but everyone is free to book accommodation of their choice.

Can I stay in another hotel?

Of course – you are completely free to choose your hotel.

But there is a diner in the Rally hotel at the start date, there is also a meeting room for the mandatory Rider Meeting.

Which countrys are in?

The list of countrys which are in (where you can collect Bonuspoints) will be France, Spain and Portugal.

We will take care on aspects of Security (is it save for a Rider?) and Comfort. We also check that the Bonuspoints in a specific area fits to the concept and timing of the rally.