Tulip diagram
Also: Tulip, Ball and arrow
A tulip diagram shows a junction from above. A dot marks where you come in, the arrow shows where you go.
A tulip diagram, or tulip, is a small drawing of a junction seen from above. A dot or circle shows where you come in. The arrow shows which road you take.
How to read it
The diagram is always drawn so that you enter the junction from the bottom. Other roads at the junction are shown as short lines. You simply follow the line from the dot to the arrow. The name comes from its shape: dot and arrow look a bit like a tulip on its stem.
Where you see it
Tulips are the most common format in the roadbook of classic car rallies. Next to each one is the distance at which the junction comes up. With a well calibrated trip meter you know when to expect the next turn.
Common mistakes
- Missing a turning because a farm track is not drawn. Depending on the regulations, only certain kinds of road count.
- Rotating the diagram in your head. It is already lined up with your direction of travel.
- Ignoring the distance and turning at the first road you see.
Tulips are easier to read than Chinese signs, which makes them a good place to start. Practise more with our guide to reading the roadbook.