"Typical" Definitions in Gimmick Rallyes

http://www.therallyeclub.org/rm/CMGIs.html contains sample General Instructions for a Coursemarker gimmick rallye.

The following list is borrowed from that, with additional commentary. General discussion follows the list of definitions.

Definitions

AT

as close as possible, within 100 feet

COMPLETE

execute or delete

CRI

Continue or begin working on the RI indicated and delete all lower numbered RIs, if any

CS

Continue Straight through one intersection

DELETE

consider non-existent for rallye purposes

DRI

Delete the RI in effect

EXECUTE

physically do

INTERSECTION

a location where two or more roads meet, where you can proceed in more than one direction excluding a U

This definition affects where you can "TURN", and so on. Often an intersection is limited to "differently named" roads, so that SMITH ST. and SMITH CT. may not be differently named (depending on which road type words are explicitly nonexistent from signs).

L

turn to the Left

NLORBN

No Longer On the Road By Name

This "turns off" an ONTO, described below.

ON

physically upon

ONTO

on the road by name

This definition lacks the important semantics of ONTO, which are typically described elsewhere, normally in the GI's Route section. When completing an instruction including ONTO, you are to remain on that road until the correct trigger, which is typically being instructed NLORBN. Many times, staying ONTO will require a U turn if the road changes its name. The GIs should be explicit about whether you should U at a name change.

OPP

an Opportunity to turn in the direction indicated

Alternatives include CH ("a Chance...") and PL ("a Place...").

R

turn to the Right

SIGNAL

an electrically operated traffic control device, working or not

A signal is sometimes defined to be the intersection controlled by the electrically-operated control.

STOP

an octagonal sign with the word "STOP" on it

If STOP is defined merely as an octagonal sign, it is identifiably from the front or back. If it is merely defined as a sign containing STOP, Bus Stop or Stop Here signs qualify. If merely a red and white sign controlling traffic, modern yield signs qualify.

T

an intersection shaped like the capital letter T, approached up the stem

Be extremely careful if you make any changes to this definition (or to the definition of "SIDEROAD", if defined to be a T approached across the top). It is very easy for these definitions to apply more broadly than one might expect, which can make an interesting gimmick if you intended it that way, and which can cause problems if you didn't.

TURN

change your direction of travel between 30 and 150 degrees in an intersection

U

reverse your direction of travel

A "CYI" sentence in the GIs (typically under Route) instructs rallyists to "Make all U's at a safe and legal place, but consider them made where instructed." If the rallyist goes another block for a safe place to U, any signs or RMs seen in that block (in either direction) don't count for rallye purposes.

Discussion

A key question is which operations can be performed only at an intersection. Typical operations that may require an intersection are: L, R, TURN, CS (Continue Straight). U does not normally require an intersection; it is often needed at a dead end (cul-de-sac).

These definitions don't address the distinction between turning AT, ON, or ONTO. This is typical -- the distinction is normally clarified elsewhere in the General Instructions, normally in the Route section and/or Signs section.

It is typical that completing certain instructions to trigger an event, such as the activation of a NOTE instruction that follows a route instruction. Since complete is defined to mean execute or delete, an instruction might trigger the event twice -- once when executed, and again if later deleted (e.g., by a CRI)!

GIs often define additional abbreviations for brevity, but typically in sections other than Definitions, such as:

CM

Coursemarker

CP

Checkpoint

GI

General Instruction

RI

Route Instruction

RM

Rallyemaster

SI

Special Instruction

Supp

Supplemental Instruction