Rally and Tour Etiquette

Rally and Tour Masters put a lot of effort into making their event memorable and run smoothly for the participants. Please practice the following etiquette to help ensure a great event for everyone:

• Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the drivers meeting and check in with the Rally Master to register, sign required forms, pay any fees, and pick up your tour packet or instructions.
• Be ready to leave on time after each pit stop or break.
• Fill your gas tank before you arrive. Or never start a rally with less than a half of tank of gas.
• Attend the drivers’ meeting and be on time.
• Listen to the Rally Master’s instructions, as there may be last minute changes to the directions or other important announcements.
• Don’t talk during the drivers’ meeting, so all can hear – especially the “newbies.”
• Pay attention to departure times for the whole event. A successful rally runs on time!
• Navigators should always follow the written instructions of the tour. It is your responsibility to give the correct directions to your driver.
  * read each direction/instruction to the driver so he/she can be prepared for the next turn, stop, caution, etc.
  * check the street signs and mileage indicators to confirm your location at each stop or turn.
  * check off each instruction as you make a turn or stop. If you get lost, you can easily backtrack to your last checkpoint.

For Leader-Led Tours:
 

• Don’t just follow the car in front of you, as they may not be following the directions or may be following someone else who is lost. BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CAR.
• If at all possible, purchase a CB radio, FRCS, or at least have your cell phone with you and ON.
• If you don’t have any means of communication, get between two cars that do.
• If you are using a CB, make sure you are on the correct channel (CH 5 or what’s announced).
• Listen to the Rally Master’s enroute instructions. They will identify turns, bicycles, hikers, animals, gravel or other hazards in the road, on-coming traffic and any safety precautions.
• Don’t use your CB for long or lengthy chitchat which prevents the Rally Master from communicating with the “sweep” (last car in the group) and relaying any important information.
• For groups of 15 or more cars in a caravan, there may be a designated car located in the middle of the group that will communicate with the Rally Master and the “sweep” car.
• Double up at traffic lights if traffic will allow, so all cars can get through the intersection in one light.
• Be responsible for the car BEHIND you and make sure they see you turn. Wait at the turn until they indicate they see you and are turning too.
• At highway speeds, stay approximately 25-50 yards behind the car ahead of you; for in-town driving stay 10-25 yards apart. This eliminates slower moving, non-Miata vehicles from entering the caravan.
• If you prefer to drive “spirited”, start at the front of the group.
• If you prefer a more leisure drive, stay to the rear of the group.
• If you “think” you are a spirited driver but lag behind the car in front of you or other cars are passing you, drop to the rear of the group or let them pass at the earliest convenience
• If you get lost, stop, call on your CB or call the Rally Master’s cell phone, which should be printed on the instructions or tour sheet. He/she can probably help you rejoin the group at a designated spot.
• If you still get lost and for some reason don’t have your tour sheet or any way to communicate with the Rally Master or anyone else in the group, keep a positive attitude and enjoy your ride. You may be discovering new roads for a future run. J Happy touring for all!