Tulip diagram (roadbook)

A tulip, or tulip diagram, is the simple sketch in the centre column of each rally roadbook box. It shows a junction, landmark or terrain feature as seen from your direction of arrival. The name comes from the shape of the early symbols, which resembled a tulip flower.

You read a tulip from the dot (or ball), which marks where you enter, to the arrowhead, which shows the exit. Other tracks are drawn as lines, and line styles indicate the type of track: solid for a clear track, dashed for open terrain without a track. Next to the tulip are the total and partial distances and, on the right, notes with CAP headings and danger marks.

Practise on local roadbook events before a rally; the key skill is reading the next box while riding the current one.