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Tabard
Sleeveless vest that mechanics for JWRC/PWRC competitors are required to wear to facilitate easy identification as number of mechanics is limited by regulations.
Tactics
Tactics can refer to any tactical maneuvering but usually it refers to drivers' play on gaining better road position for next leg on gravel rallies due to sweeping effect. Tactics have taken many forms, but the most common is slowing down on final stage before next day's running order is frozen. As this effectively meant that only final day of the rally was important, rules were changed in 2002 so that running order was reverse for top-15, but this was reversed in 2008. For 2012 qualifying was introduced. Other interesting tactical maneuvers have been clocking in early or late, making jump start and taking it's associated penalty, changing supposed flat tyre on penalty free zone, ordering team mates to run first, et cetera.
Tarmac
Commercial name, Tarmacadam, used of one type of asphalt. Name stuck and is now used to mean all kinds of asphalt types.
Team orders
High controversial and flammable subject, team orders are unavoidable phenomena in motorsport as long as same team enters and runs more than one car. Basically, team orders are used in situations where team wants one driver to score more either for himself (to win personal championship) or for the team (if the other for example is non-nominated or non-scoring driver) and order one of their drivers to slow down to allow other improve his position. Consensus is that team orders don't show good sportmanship and are bad for image of the rallying. However, being impossible to police, team orders are tolerated but it is quietly hoped that these are executed discreetly, not in the eyes of the public.
Time card
Piece of paper or cardboard that crew carries in the car and presents to officials at each time control they pass. Target time and actual passage time is recorded on this card to keep track of crew's progress throughout the route. It still is a physical card despite use of electronic stage timing.
Time control
A time control station manned by rally officials. Crews must arrive to such a station on exact minute as decreed by schedule, early or late arrivals are penalized with ten seconds per one minute of time difference. Usually there are time controls on both ends of stages, entrance and exit to service areas and parc ferme. Abbreviation for time controls in rally itineraries is 'TC'.
Time penalty
Milder form of punishment for competitors. Majority of time penalties come from being late from time control, but also checking in early incurs penalty, as does jump start and such. Time penalties are added to the competitors final time.
Transmission
Means to transfer power from the engine to the wheels, includes diffs, gearbox, clutch and axles. Also known as powertrain.
Transverse
A configuration of components, usually used of engine and gearbox, that are placed crosswise. See also longitudinal.
Tulip road book
Road book used to describe the rally route. Originally developed by Tulip Rally organiser Piet Nortier in Netherlands (hence the name), it has now been adopted by all WRC events. Book uses symbolic depictions of junctions with distance between each one, doing away with the need to navigate with maps and reliance to road numbers, village names and landmarks.
Turbo
A device used to increase density of air via increased air pressure. Technique is used to improve burning of the gasoline and to get more power from engine.
Turbo lag
Turbo uses spinning turbine blades to generate air pressure. When gas pedal is pressed, engine revs up faster than turbine blades and hence normal cars experience a small delay before extra power from turbo kicks in.
Turbo restrictor
In a quest to maintain equal power level and keep cars safer, FIA has decreed that rally cars are required to have maximum air intake channel diameter of 33 mm (for Group A cars). Since engine power is dependent on amount of air it gets, this is very effective way to keep engine power in check.
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Mechanics wearing tabards
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Time card on co-driver's tight embrace
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Time control
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Aerial view of modern day time control (this one is at stage end). Tent for time keeping marshals, safety netted areas for journalists and even water bottle crates to be given to rally crews.
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Tulip road book symbols
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Diagram of transverse engine - transverse gearbox configuration
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