NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MIATA CLUB RULES OF THE ROAD WHAT WE DO ON A RALLY
1. WAIT FOR THE CAR BEHIND YOU
This is the club's golden rule. If you make a turn and do not see a Miata following you, pull over in a safe and conspicuous spot and wait for them. If you do not want to be in the lead, simply wave some of them past you. The run "leader" will be in charge of keeping the group together. During daylight hours, the lead and sweep (last) Miatas should have their headlights ON. All other Miatas should have their parking lights ON. This is universal with most all Miata clubs. Always keep the Miata in front of you at a comfortable distance -
2. DRIVE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS
Each driver has different driving limits. If the run is going at a pace that you find uncomfortable, please don't push yourself beyond your limits.....that is not fun. Equally, if you want to go faster than the run leader, you are welcome to leave the run and drive like a nut ball on your own. We do not pass other Miatas to play "cat and mouse" games. If you want to race, go to a track.
3. GIVE THE MILES LOTS OF SMILES
When we drive as a group, we tend to dominate the road. Therefore, we should be extra nice to the other motorists. Speeding up to push through an "orange" light, excessive honking of our horns in residential neighborhoods, cutting people off and making unsafe passing maneuvers will just make US and other Miata owners everywhere look bad and could lead to someone getting hurt. Also, use all available lanes when driving through stop signs and traffic lights: Example: form a double line if we are at a 4 or 5 lane intersection and NOT going to turn.
4. BE TIMELY AND PREPARED
Arrive to the run with some time to spare, have a full tank of gas and use the restroom before start time. When the group is ready to roll, don't dawdle. If we are eating as a group at a restaurant, cash is best. If you wish to use a credit card, pay out as early and quickly as possible.
5. COMMUNICATION ALWAYS
Several members now have Family Frequency Radios to use on our runs. Generally, we use Channel 5. Remember, this frequency does not negotiate curves or hills, and has a maximum distance (under ideal conditions) of 2 miles. Cars with radios should be spaced intermittently through the line of cars, keeping those cars without radios between them. This will help in passing information to and from the lead car and the sweep car. Cell phones do come in handy if a car becomes lost.
6. HAVE REAL MIATATUDE
We are all here to have fun, so remember that these rules exist to help ensure that EVERYONE has a good and safe time. If something doesn't go according to plan... hey, that's life. If we have guests or new members with us on the run, make the FIRST step to introduce yourself. For the "old timers," we have learned that this is not a club .....it is a MIATA FAMILY. Welcome everyone with enthusiasm and enjoy the ride.
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