[These are sample General Instructions, intended to help new rallyemasters write coursemarker gimmick rallyes. These sample GIs are not in any way "standard" or "official", and can be modified in any way you desire. These sample GIs are deliberately plain, to avoid trapping new rallyemasters (and those who run their rallyes) with unintentional gimmicks hidden in the GIs. At the very least, you should add the name and date of your rallye, and make sure that page breaks occur in reasonable places in your final printed version. Explanatory comments in square brackets (like this one) should not be considered part of the sample General Instructions.]
SI:
Welcome to this evening's coursemarker gimmick rallye.
Please fill out the top section of your score sheet before you leave the
start.
Please take your time and carefully read everything given to you.
There are no gimmicks on capitalization anywhere.
There are no gimmicks on spelling, spacing, punctuation, or
pluralization in the GIs.
End SI.
[Adjust the "no gimmicks on" lists to match your rallye.
If there are any gimmicks in the "welcome" paragraph, or in the things this
paragraph tells the rallyists to do (e.g., "fill out the top section..."),
then it cannot be an SI.]
Undefined terms take on their standard English meanings.
[Feel free to delete any definitions that your rallye doesn't need.]
If two or more instructions of different priority conflict or coincide,
always do the instruction of higher priority first.
[You may also need to tell them what to do when two or more instructions of
the same precedence can be done at the same time.]
The order of precedence is as follows, from highest to lowest:
All roads used will be paved and public.
Driveways and parking lots exist only at the start and at the finish.
When instructed to U, make the U at a safe and legal place but consider
it made where instructed.
Executing an instruction using the word "ONTO" puts you on the road by
name.
When onto, remain on the road by that name until instructed NLORBN,
even if you must U to do so.
[This variation of the "onto rule" is quite strict, and is therefore
relatively safe.
Less strict variations (e.g., "until instructed NLORBN or until you ..." or
"but do not U to do so") can be interesting, but be sure to precheck them
carefully.]
Only government-erected and rallye-erected signs are valid for this rallye.
Do not look behind you to see any signs.
Do not split words.
Instructions using the word "AT" can be executed only where everything that
follows "AT" in the instruction appears on a sign.
Additional words, numbers, or symbols do not invalidate a sign.
The words North, South, East, West, Street, Avenue, Drive, Road, and their
abbreviations do not exist on signs.
[One common variation of the "at rule" is to specify exceptions.
Typically, defined terms (either all defined terms, or only one or two
specific terms) will refer to the objects as defined.
Feel free to modify the list of words and abbreviations that do not exist
on signs.
And many rallyes also specify that block numbers and arrows do not exist on
signs.]
CMs are rallye-erected signs with one or two letters, a number, and reflective tape, like the valid CM at the start. When you encounter a valid CM, record the CM by writing its number next to the corresponding letter(s) on your score sheet. After you record a CM, take out of effect any uncompleted Supp parts that may be in effect from a previous CM, then bring into effect the Supp or SI on the Supp/SI page that corresponds to the number of the CM you just recorded. Record each CM no more than once. Supp parts are numbered, and are to be executed in ascending numerical order.
CPs will be identified by a rallye-erected sign similar to the
"√." sign at the start.
When you encounter a checkpoint, enter it by handing your score sheet to
the CP personnel and saying "rubber baby buggy bumpers" three times.
CP personnel may be crossing off spaces on your score sheet, so make sure
your score sheet is current before entering each CP.
[Change the CP saying to fit your rallye's theme.
It is a good idea to specify the location(s) and hours of operation for any
on-course CPs.
You can either describe their location (by street or landmark), or you can
specify which RIs the rallyists will be working on when they encounter
them.]
Once upon a time,...
[Weave the names of several streets into a story that fits the theme of
your rallye.]
During the rallye, you can reach the rallyemaster via the cell phone
number listed on the score sheet.
At 6:00 PM there will be a short rallye school, during which we will
give away a couple of gimmicks.
Before turning in your score sheet, answer the tiebreakers at the bottom of
your score sheet.
The finish is located at
[the restaurant's name, address, and phone number].
The finish opens at 9:00 PM and closes at 10:00 PM.
Late score sheets may be penalized 5 points per minute late up to 10:15
PM, at which time they will no longer be accepted.
If you disagree with the gimmicks as explained in the critique, you can
file a protest.
All protests must be turned in by 10:15 PM, must be
printed, and must include your car number, your class,
the problem, and the desired resolution.
Honored protests may affect an individual car, an entire class, or the
entire rallye.
[Adjust the details as necessary, and feel free to hide an instruction
somewhere in the middle of this paragraph.]
Good luck, and enjoy the rallye!
—
[Your Name], Rallyemaster