Equipment for Gimmick Rallyes

The following equipment may be useful to those competing in gimmick rallyes:

• clipboard - Many rallyists find double clipboards especially useful. Saunders makes a 19"x14½" sketchboard that works very well, or you can buy the clips separately and attach them to 1/8" hardboard or acrylic cut to whatever size you want. Each non-driver may want his/her own clipboard. Some rallyists use Velcro on their clipboards and dashboards to keep their clipboards from flying around their cars.

• pens/pencils - You'll need to take notes and fill out your score sheet.

• highlighters - Many rallyists find it helpful to use different colors of highlighters to emphasize different things (defined terms, misspellings, etc.).

• magnifying glass - This can make it easier to read the tiny instructions hidden by some rallyemasters.

• other office supplies - Some rallyists find rulers, rubber bands, small bungee cords, paper clips, binder clips, tape, Velcro, etc. helpful.

• flashlight - A good flashlight can make it easier to read signs at night. However, some street signs have white letters against a retro-reflective background, and extremely bright light can wash out the lettering and make it hard to read.

• reading light - Your car may have good map lights. If not, a separate LED reading light or LED headlamp can make it easier to read instructions at night. Using a red LED can allow you to read instructions while keeping your night vision for searching for signs. (But beware that red and orange highlighting may disappear if lit by the red LED.)

• maps - Good street maps are available from AAA and Thomas Guide, and are very helpful for figuring out where the rallye will take you, where you'll encounter key streets, etc.

• street locator GPS units - know what street you are on and what cross streets are upcoming. Note that street signs don't always match the computer database perfectly, however.

• sticky notes - Post these on the dashboard with the list of landmarks you are watching for. Extra-sticky notes (e.g., Post-it® Super Sticky notes) are more likely to last throughout the rallye.

• dictionary - Do you know the exact meanings of words not defined in the rallye instructions?

• California Vehicle Code - Following the CVC is the highest precedence instruction on most rallyes. Do you really know what it says?