Something “fishy” this way comes.

We’re two weeks on from the Midwinter Moon and I hope you’ve had a chance to review your notes and old route instructions in preparation for the New Scotland Road Rally. We’re 82 days away! And while we’re drumming our fingers, looking at the calendar and our watches, and wishing time away, I thought it a good idea to make you aware of some of the things you may see on future ARMS regional rallies this year. “May” is the operative word here – some of these things may or may not appear. But don’t say you haven’t been warned! In this post, we’ll look at herringbone diagrams.

A herringbone is simply a line representing the route you’re supposed to follow, with those roads you’re supposed to ignore, or “miss” at each successive intersection sticking out from the sides of the “backbone.” Normally, you start at the dot and leave at the arrow (similar to a tulip diagram). Distances are not provided from turn to turn. Crews need to be observant and have knowledge of the supplementary regulations in case certain types of roads are identified as “non-existent.” So let’s look at a quick example:

On the map, the dot is represented by the A and the arrow by the B. Once we start, our first instruction is to leave a road on the left which we accomplish by driving straight ahead. Next, we approach a five-way intersection where we need to leave a road on the right and two roads on the left. This results in a right turn onto the 221. We then proceed straight through a crossroads, leaving a road on both the left and right. At the next intersection, we need to leave a road on the right which results in an AL turn onto Lakewood Rd. The next intersection is a crossroads and the instruction is to leave two roads on the left. This results in a right turn. We then leave a road on the left at the next Tee junction (by turning right), drive straight through the next intersection leaving a road on the left, and then leave another road on the right before reaching the finish at B.

Clear as mud? Just remember each valid intersection is included on the diagram (there should be guidance in each rally’s Supplementary Regulations so you’ll know what would constitute a “valid” intersection). Average speed requirements will be included in a separate table or list.

Depending on the creativity and deviousness of the rallymaster, there could be a few modifications to a herringbone (start at the arrow/leave at the dot, mirror-image, etc.) to make them a bit more, um…fragrant, so make sure you read the instructions for the section and the supplementary regulations. They’re certainly a great way of injecting some change and challenge into road rallying.

In the next post, you can count on us taking a gander at numbered turns. Rally on!