About the Sports
What is Motorsport?
Dirt Trial, Rally, and Rallycross — explained for first-timers
"Cars going fast" covers a lot of ground. This page breaks down the three disciplines DirtMan competes in — Dirt Trial, Rally, and Rallycross — so you understand what you're watching and why it matters.
What is Dirt Trial?
A Japanese-born motorsport where drivers race one at a time against the clock on unpaved dirt courses.
01 — The basics
Dirt Trial is a solo time-attack discipline on unpaved (dirt) courses. Each driver runs alone — no wheel-to-wheel racing — which means the lap time is a direct result of driver skill and vehicle setup. Pure motorsport.
02 — Why is it Japan-only?
Dirt Trial was developed and is governed exclusively by JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). No other country runs this format. Over 100 events are held annually across Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, with everything from kei cars to purpose-built rally cars competing.
03 — What class does DirtMan compete in?
Seiya Mitsuhashi (DirtMan) is based in Hokkaido and competes in both the All-Japan Dirt Trial Championship and the Hokkaido Regional Championship. He currently drives a Honda Civic EK9. He took multiple victories in 2023.
04 — What makes it exciting to watch?
Watching a car slide sideways through a tight dirt turn with dust flying is genuinely breathtaking. Because each driver runs solo, their personality shows in every run — and when your driver is on course, you can't look away.
What is Rally?
A multi-stage motorsport where driver and co-driver race against the clock across gravel, tarmac, and snow roads.
01 — The basics
Rally consists of multiple timed sections called SS (Special Stages) — closed roads where each car runs one at a time against the clock. The driver and co-driver (who reads pace notes) compete as a pair, with total time across all stages deciding the result.
02 — What is the WRC?
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the pinnacle of the sport, with rounds across Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond. In Japan it's held as Rally Japan in Aichi and Gifu prefectures. DirtMan competes in the All-Japan Rally Championship — Japan's national-level equivalent.
03 — Gravel vs. snow — what's the difference?
Rally changes completely depending on the surface. Gravel requires controlled slides and precise throttle. Snow demands spike tyres and total commitment on ice. Tarmac stages feel closer to circuit racing. DirtMan has competed on both gravel and snow in Hokkaido.
04 — Can I watch a rally?
Yes — most rallies have designated spectator zones where you can watch cars run at full speed just metres away. Check DirtMan's schedule on our calendar, and come see the action live.
What is Rallycross?
Short-circuit racing where multiple cars start simultaneously on tracks mixing tarmac and dirt — intense, fast, and spectator-friendly.
01 — The basics
Rallycross is wheel-to-wheel racing on a short circuit that mixes tarmac and dirt sections. Multiple cars start together, and each heat lasts only a few minutes. Overtaking, contact, and dramatic moments happen constantly.
02 — How is it different from Rally?
Rally is time-attack across multiple long stages. Rallycross is circuit racing where cars start together. Rallycross is more immediately exciting for spectators — the action is compressed into a short lap and you can see the whole race from one spot.
03 — How popular is it worldwide?
Rallycross is huge in Europe — the European Rallycross Championship (ERX) and World RX draw massive crowds, and EV-based rallycross is growing fast. FlatOut Support's calendar includes World RX results alongside Japanese events.
04 — Is it held in Japan?
Large-scale rallycross events are still rare in Japan, but interest is growing. It's a discipline that could become part of DirtMan's competitive future as the sport develops domestically.