How Does the Tulip Rally Work?

[ianellison]

Having never been on one I wondered what was required of each car in the Rally and how a winner was determined. I imagine its some form of timed run from point to point on a pre-given route. Please advise.

 

[gresley]

Ian

There is absolutely no timing.

At the start your odometer reading is taken and will be retaken at end of first half and at the finish. You will then be given a road book showing 1) mileage from start
2) mileage between the junction diagrams ( also known as tulips ) and 3) junction diagrams - these are a representation of the junction from above showing direction of approach and direction to take.

Winner is team which gets closest to exact mileage of the route as measured ( on at least 3 occasions ) by the organisers. In the unlikely event that anyone cleans the route ( i.e. gets mileage exact ) then we have another device to identify the winner.

This all sounds really easy - but it isn't. Speed is not the thing but care and exact observation and interpretation of the road book is.

If this isn't clear ( and on re- reading I'm not 100% convinced it is ) then mail me with yout t.n. and I will ring you and give some more advice ( and that applies to anyone reading this).

Andrew and Steve.

 

[ianellison]

Thanks - that sounds pretty clear. The navigational ability of the passenger are therefore more important than the drivers skills? Regards...

 

[gresley]

Driving a Porsche always requires high level driving skills ( that's my story and I'm sticking to it ). In addition we have built in a number of excellent driving roads which will allow you to show your prowess, but again speed is not what this is about.

In addition the driver on a Tulip Rally will be required to

1) Keep his or her temper when instructions are either unclear or late.

2) Have high mental arithmetic skills to calculate the almost inevitable deviation brought about by wrong slotting etc.

3) Be an expert in finding places to park close to a junction when navigator says " well if you're so clever you work it out!" and throws the road book at you.

Believe me we have seen all these things happening.

Andrew and Steve

 

[ianellison]

Finally - what road map is recommended? Normal road atlas, or OS route map or even OS landranger? Thanks for your help.

 

[gresley]

No road map required as no plotting needed - road book gives all you need - road atlas perhaps if you get hopelessly lost - which is unlikely.

To plan we use Landranger 1:50000 - sheets 100, 101,, 106, 107 - but I wouldn't go to cost of buying them as they are ludicrously expensive these days. Gone are the days when I might buy clean sets regularly.

Andrew and Steve

 

[supersport]

Trust me, you won't have time to read a map! If this year is anything like last year the gaps between junctions aren't big enough for map reading. I would also suggest that you and your navigator practice you mental arithmetic, this is especially important for those of us in left hookers with KM speedos.