Draft TRC Gimmick Rallye Rules

Document Status

This document is just a working draft, with no official standing.

The official version of this document is TRC Gimmick Rallye Rules. This working draft is intended for unofficial work on (and discussion of) possible future changes to these Gimmick Rallye Rules.

Current Draft

THE RALLYE CLUB OF SILICON VALLEY
RULES FOR GIMMICK RALLYES

Approved September 15, 2009

Originally approved as part of TRC's Operating Procedures on June 19th, 1985
And Amended November 19th, 2003

Purpose: To assist TRC and its members in the production of quality rallye events. No information within these rules shall be sufficient to form the basis for a rallye protest.

1. Advertising and Flyers
   1. Flyers must be ready before the quarterly mailing prior to the rallye. In some cases, flyers must be ready earlier, since quarterly mailings often include the flyer from the first rallye of the next quarter. To allow time for printing, folding, and addressing the mailing, flyers are needed between 2 and 5 months prior to the rallye, depending upon where the rallye's date lands in the mailing schedule.
   2. An electronic copy (in PDF) should be sent via email to the webmaster. The person assigned to print the mailing may also request a copy.
   3. All flyers must have the following on them: date and start time, start location, type of event, entry fee, classes (or an indication that there are multiple classes), rallyemaster name(s) and contact info, TRC name and/or logo, and TRC URL (web address TheRallyeClub.org).
   4. Desirable information: Rallyemasters are encouraged to publish the rallye-specific email addresses (mmmYY@TheRallyeClub.org where mmm is the month and YY is the year; e.g., dec09@TheRallyeClub.org) that forward to their real email accounts until the rallye is well over. Flyers should also include a map of the start location, and may also include the awards presented. If provided, phone numbers should include area codes.
2. Rallye Writing
   1. Provide for Special Instructions (SIs) and other emergency instructions and signs. There must never be any gimmicks based on Special Instructions. Doing so would make it harder for other rallyemasters to provide directions that must be taken at face value.
   2. When possible, it is best to avoid relying upon the distinction between an SI and a Supp on the Supp/SI page. Rallyists do miss the distinction, and will keep looking for gimmicks, thinking they're working on a Supp rather than an SI.
   3. Busy streets should be avoided, except during traverses. Rallyists must be able to pull over safely to review/discuss the rallye instructions without blocking traffic. This is especially important at coursemarker locations, and at locations where Route Instructions, Bonuses, Notes, etc. are executed. Rallyists should also be able to drive safely at speeds below the posted speed limit, carefully looking for and reading signs. Rallyemasters and precheckers must use their best judgement. Some two-lane streets with 25mph speed limits can be too crowded/busy to use, while some four-lane streets with 35mph speed limits can be quiet and perfectly fine. It is strongly recommended on gimmick rallyes that neither coursemarkers nor signs with gimmicks be located on busy multi-lane roads or Expressways such as El Camino Real, Charleston, Lawrence Expressway, etc.
3. Prechecks
   1. At least one precheck must be driven, preferably at the same time and day of the week as the rallye.
   2. Prechecks must include a full instruction set, a critique (with point values), and a map or other indication of sign locations.
   3. A driven precheck must