Glossary

These definitions do not have any bearing on any specific rallye. Each rallye defines the terms it uses, and those definitions may well differ from the ones below. (Or a RM may intentionally leave them undefined.)

A

A–B rallye

a gimmick rallye where each Route Instruction has two parts (generally labeled A and B). Rallyists do only the part that can be done correctly first. On their score sheets, rallyists record which part they did (A or B), or whether both parts could be done at the same place (C).

after

Turning *after* some name often means turning after the sign for that road. If the sign is on the near side of the intersection, you might turn on that road. If the sign is on the far side of the intersection, you may need to go one more block to a later opportunity to turn.

APG

This is sometimes used in the critique as an acronym for "as per generals" (general instructions).

Aristotle

From the long running TSD trap concept, a gimmick based on rallyists not being allowed to execute two (generally consecutively executed) Route Instructions at the same intersection.

at

"At" normally refers to words on a sign. Turning "at" a name may not be "the usual." Rules usually allow you to turn "at Main" at any intersection with a valid sign that says Main. If you are already on Main, every block has a parallel sign that says Main. (Contrast with "on" and "onto".)

B

bad CM

A “bad” CM should not be recorded for some reason and is likely worth negative points. Seeing it often indicates you missed a gimmick (e.g., you executed an invalid Note or Bonus, you denied an RI that looked bad but was good, or the CM itself has invalid letter(s) or wrong color of reflective tape). See also “Bandit.”

bandit

an instruction that is technically good, but which is designed to appear bad in an obvious way. In coursemarker rallyes, the CM for denying the apparently bad instruction is usually worth negative points. (see also fish)

blackjack

a gimmick that uses a distraction (e.g., an upcoming checkpoint, an upcoming traffic signal that marks the beginning of a traverse) to make it harder for you to notice some other gimmick (e.g., a street you are supposed to turn on).

C

checkpoint

a location along the route where you stop your car and interact with rallye personnel, who might throw some more gimmicks your way. Often abbreviated CP.

class A/E box

a rallye computer used in timed rallyes. (more...)

class B/L box

an electronic odometer/clock used in timed rallyes. (more...)

complete

typically defined as "execute or delete." The same instruction might be executed (i.e., performed) first and later deleted, so some completion side effect (e.g., activating a Note) might occur both times.

coursemarker

a posted sign (typically with a letter–number combination) used in a coursemarker rallye, often abbreviated "CM".

coursemarker (CM) rallye

a gimmick rallye where rallyists encounter coursemarkers and record them on their score sheets. After recording a coursemarker, rallyists bring into effect a supplemental instruction that corresponds to the number on the coursemarker.

CRI

Continue Route Instruction. Begin or continue working on the Route Instruction indicated (CRI 4). CRI sometimes deletes lower-numbered RIs; see complete. A Supp or SI with a CRI 4 suggests that RI 3 may be gimmicked.

crocked

Purposely messed up. E.g., the forced turn qualified as an uninstructed T because of the crocked definition of T.

CS

Continue Straight (past a sign or through one intersection). Sometimes “C” is defined instead.

critique

the "answer sheet" distributed at the finish, which explains all the gimmicks.

D

deny

To choose not to do an instruction (you decide is invalid).

DRI

Delete the RI in effect (DRI) or the RI indicated (DRI 4).

F

fish

a coursemarker that is worth negative points, that rallyists have no reason to encounter. Fish are often located where they are visible from the route. (see also bandit)

forced turn

a location where the rallye road changes direction, but where rallyists can proceed in only one direction (excluding a U)

G

general instructions (GIs)

the ground rules for a rallye

H

hanging supp(lemental instruction)

One or more parts of a Supp instruction are postponed from execution due to interference from a higher precedence instruction(s).

I

impossible combination

Following the route correctly, you should see no more than one of the CMs in an "impossible combination".

impulse unit

a device that provides mileage impulses to an after-market odometer used in timed rallyes. (more...)

M

Monster Mash

A long running Bay Area Halloween themed gimmick rallye dating back to at least 1969. Originally put on by SMART from the Stanford Shopping Center start, it was later presented by MIRT, before TRC adopted it in 1983. A common trait in recent years has several "monster" instructions, which affect signs, instructions, etc. along the route. Generally only one (or two) are in effect at any given time.

N

NLORBN

No Longer Onto Road By Name. This often ends an “Onto Gimmick.” See Onto definition.

O

on

normally refers to the road. (Contrast the normal turn on a road with "at" and "onto".)

on course

An "on course" coursemarker can reassure you that you are not lost. The rallye master may also use the Supp or SI invoked by an on course CM to assure everyone is working on the same route instruction (regardless of what you did prior). Of course, the on course CM could also set up some gimmick.

onto

an instruction that requires rallyists to remain on the road by the name indicated

onto follow

an onto gimmick where the named road does not continue straight, and rallyists must turn to follow the named road

onto reencounter

an onto gimmick where the rallyists encounter another road by the name indicated, and must turn to follow the named road

opp

An opportunity to turn. At the start, you should know if you count Opps on both sides of your road or just in the direction indicated. Rallyes differ in their definition of an intersection that counts as an Opp.

order of precedence

a ranking of the instructions that are valid for a rallye, indicating which are higher in precedence (priority) than others.

P

parallel sign

a sign parallel to rallyists' direction of travel. Street signs identifying the street one is currently on are typically parallel signs.

partial

A CM that is worth partial credit for figuring out part—but not all—of a gimmick or series of gimmicks.

perpendicular signs

a sign perpendicular to rallyists' direction of travel. Street signs identifying a cross street are typically perpendicular signs.

photo rallye

a gimmick rallye where rallyists identify photos that depict the view from their cars as they follow the Route Instructions.

Plato

a "Reverse Aristotle" trap or gimmick written to appear the instruction cannot be done, but due to carefull wording in the Aristotle rule it actually can be done.

pre-check

A thorough proof-reading and trial run-through of a rallye.

pro box

electronic odometer/clock used in performance rallyes. (more...)

protest

If your interpretation of a gimmick is valid but differs from the rallyemaster's critique, you may file a written protest at the finish. Be sure to follow the protest rules for the rallye, which often require using the official form and including all required information, including both your reasoning and your desired outcome or scoring change.

Q

question–answer (Q–A) rallye

a gimmick rallye where various questions are interspersed among the Route Instructions. At the appropriate points in the rallye, rallyists record their answers on the score sheet.

R

rallye

the longest distance between two points.

rallye computer

a special-purpose computer designed for timed rallyes. (more...)

reader board (reader box)

a device used in timed rallyes that displays rallye instructions in a scrolling manner. (more...)

reeker

A gimmick you hate after reading the Critique. (Also, stinker.)

route instruction (RI)

an instruction that directs rallyists along the rallye route

run sheet

A participant's running journal of what they did during the rallye and why. After turning in your score sheet, the run sheet can be compared to the critique. A run sheet should include:

• RIs executed or the reason they were denied,
• all CMs seen and whether they were recorded (deemed valid),
• CP actions and what the CP worker recorded on your score sheet.

S

SA

Sign Anywhere (or difficult to see)

SAP

Straight as Possible. A side street "spur" could be "straighter" than the curved road you are on

SOL/SOR

Sign on Left/Right. A rallye's definition should clarify is the sign must be on the left or right as you approach it or as you pass it.

special instruction (SI)

a gimmick-free instruction that rallyists should just do in the obvious manner

supplemental instructions (Supps)

instructions that come into effect when rallyists record a coursemarker

T

T rule

An instruction in the order of precedence that tells rallyists what to do at an uninstructed T intersection.

Toddler

(see Toy Rallye)

Toy Rallye

An annual Bay Area Christmas-themed gimmick rallye, originally called Toddler, presented annually since 1962. In lieu of an entry fee, the Toy Rallye collects new, unwrapped toys for needy children. Before TRC began presenting the Toy Rallye, the Fremont Touring Club hosted it and Harriet Gittings was the rallyemaster.

traverse

An instruction to travel more quickly from one location to another. A traverse is often an SI so rallyists will not look for gimmicks. Rallyes often include a start traverse (to get from the start location to where the on-route gimmicks start) and a finish traverse (to get from the last on-route gimmick to the finish location), and may also include traverses from one section of the route to another.

treasure hunt

an event similar to a rallye, where participants use clues and puzzles to find streets or landmarks, and then plan their own courses to travel to these locations. Locations may provide information that is written on participants' score sheets. They may also provide clues or puzzles that direct participants to the next location.

turkey route

The path the RM thinks you would take if you missed gimmicks. This should take you from the Start to the Finish of the Rallye (but your score would not be great).