1	What is a rally? “A sustained flurry of blows in a boxing match.” (1825) “A quick recovery from a state of exhaustion, a renewal of energy.” (1826) “A competitive event for motor vehicles, usually over a long distance on public roads.” (1932) - Oxford English Dictionary, 2^nd edition
2	Tip #1: Read the instructions Read ALL the instructions! General Instructions Read for definitions (MP = Milepost) Supplemental Instructions Rules from the rallymaster specific to this event Route Instructions
3	Sections and Zones Sections TRN (Transit): No CAST; if you drive exactly at the posted speed limit you will get through it perfectly on time. TSD (Time-Speed-Distance): CAST is given; goal is to be on time all the time; you may be timed anywhere in the section; checkpoints are closed (do not stop!). RTZ (Rally Transit Zone): No CAST; you may be early or late within the section; there may be a checkpoint at the end of the section; scoring is within 1 minute. Zones Free Zone: area without checkpoints This might be a good place to mention…don’t stop at the checkpoints!
4	Reading Route Instructions Start time is the time of day Add your car number to times in instructions, OR Set your clock behind your car number in minutes (e.g., if you are car 15, set your clock back 15 minutes so that at your out time,11:15, your clock reads 11:00) Mileage: the mileage IS the instruction Alpine: start at the dot, exit at the arrow Things in parenthesis are your friends! Instructions in parenthesis are (intended to be) helpful comments. They are not part of the instruction. They are not trying to trap you.
5	Pauses & Time Decs Pause The best place to take a pause is not necessarily at the mileage where it’s indicated. Read ahead! Time declarations Don’t hurt yourself, don’t hurt others, time decs are your friends Declarations must be made for some number minutes + 30 seconds to place you “between” cars. Tip: slow down by ½ or ¼ CAST & start the stopwatch. Your delay is ½ or ¼ the time shown on the stopwatch. (e.g., CAST is 40; if you drive at 30 for 60 seconds, you will be 15 seconds late.)
6	Basic Calculation Time = (distance * 60) / speed Mileage = 1.0; CAST = 40 Time = (1 * 60) / 40 Time = 1.5 minutes The end of an RTZ might be a good place to practice calculation!