Group drive question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Group drive question
For those of you in Corvette clubs etc that go on group drives, I have a question. What is a nice way to address a driver that always seems to lag behind the group (we don't speed or drive in an unsafe manner)? This is the car that no one wants to get behind on group drives. We want to handle this in an up-front way without hurting anyone's feelings. Any suggestions? I would really like to hear from someone who has dealt with this same situation to a successful resolve.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
For those of you in Corvette clubs etc that go on group drives, I have a question. What is a nice way to address a driver that always seems to lag behind the group (we don't speed or drive in an unsafe manner)? This is the car that no one wants to get behind on group drives. We want to handle this in an up-front way without hurting anyone's feelings. Any suggestions? I would really like to hear from someone who has dealt with this same situation to a successful resolve.
Those drivers who don't want to be stuck simply pass the slow driver and keep up with the others. That slow guy will find himself at the end of the group and will either keep up or get lost. Eventually, he'll get the hint.
Don't feel bad for passing him up. Just wave as you go by.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Leavenworth Somewhere over the Rainbow
If you guys set a cruise limit for speed then he needs to keep up or be left behind. That's all I would say. If you all are driving like a bat out of hell then he shouldn't be required to do so as well, but he should not join on the cruises knowing in advance how the rest intend to drive if he doesn't want to go along with it. It's probably best said as group so he understands where everyone is coming from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Colorado
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"Hey (John/Joe/Mary/Beth) would you mind bringing up the rear." Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,438
From: Eastern
I feel you pain. It's been awhile since I was in a car club, but our president used to so well prepared, and usually we would meet at a parking lot before we ventured out. The game plan was all spelled out, where we were going, when and where we would be stopping (pit stops etc.) and our final destination.
We didn't worry about the laggers, because if they couldn't keep up, then at least they knew "the plan" and where we were going.
If they got lost, too bad.
With cell phones, it's easy for the ones that lag or get lost, to call someone in the group and find out where everyone is.
I don't do car clubs anymore, because I like going on drives at my pace, stop where I want, and get there fast, or poke along.
We didn't worry about the laggers, because if they couldn't keep up, then at least they knew "the plan" and where we were going.
If they got lost, too bad.
With cell phones, it's easy for the ones that lag or get lost, to call someone in the group and find out where everyone is.
I don't do car clubs anymore, because I like going on drives at my pace, stop where I want, and get there fast, or poke along.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 412
From: Miami FL
I had an issue like that with a Jet Ski club. Honestly, I waited and was patient many times and told everyone where the final destination was. After a while those that did not get the hint just didn't get invites.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 339
From: Mesquite, Nv
I also tried the "group" thing......on a snowmobile. Would do big week long rides in Canada or the U.P. The people were great, but it's was almost impossible to get everyone on the same "riding" agenda. We were constantly stopping along side the trail for all sorts of reasons. All I wanted to do was motor on. My way of handling that was to find one riding partner who had the same philosophy as me, and all was good.
Jon
Jon
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 746
Likes: 15
It can be difficult if you feel the one person left behind may be experiencing car trouble. The club I've driven with most carried radios to keep track of these types of things, usually a flat tire was all it was, or some coolant leaking. There was one person that was taking up the rear that had a radio. Nobody was left behind. That last car would stop and radio ahead to the next car and the transmission was continued forward so all would learn what happened.
If it was a needed repair a decision would be made to continue on while the one needing repairs was OK and was able to call for help. If not, someone would call as soon as they reached the next town with cell phone service. The option to ride with someone else and leave the car behind was an option.
If the one person you are inviting along doesn't want to keep up with your pace, but still enjoys the meet ups when the group stops, or gets to their destination, no worries. Just let them be. If they don't like it they'll find another group.
Knowing that, maybe on future drives you can ask if they would accept the responsibility of taking up the rear to be sure they don't leave anyone behind
If it was a needed repair a decision would be made to continue on while the one needing repairs was OK and was able to call for help. If not, someone would call as soon as they reached the next town with cell phone service. The option to ride with someone else and leave the car behind was an option.
If the one person you are inviting along doesn't want to keep up with your pace, but still enjoys the meet ups when the group stops, or gets to their destination, no worries. Just let them be. If they don't like it they'll find another group.
Knowing that, maybe on future drives you can ask if they would accept the responsibility of taking up the rear to be sure they don't leave anyone behind
Last edited by SmileyOr; Nov 18, 2014 at 04:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 915
Likes: 24
I don't think it's unreasonable to explain to someone like this that they should only drive at a pace they feel comfortable with, but they should also be mindful of holding others up and to make it easy to pass if needed.. and to know the destination so they can eventually catch up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 16
From: Yorktown Heights NY
yup.. slow guy holds up the rear and hopefully has gps with destination plugged in so eventually he catches up with the group. Believe me, they KNOW who they are and are comfortable with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 912
Likes: 52
From: Mech. pa
I found riding in a group riding dangerous when on a m/c, so we rode in a small group, no more than 5. With a club drive try driving in a smaller group. Talk with all the people involved going out in small groups, folks who want a faster pace in one group to folks out for a leisure ride in another. Have a destination place agreed on. Get cell phone numbers from a group leader, communicate road conditions, speed traps, detours. With a club drive maybe even have it like a rallye, with turn by turn instructions so you can observe posted limits and drive at your own pace.
W.C.S.
W.C.S.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
The tailgater drives me crazy. I have run more red lights knowing that guy is 2 feet behind me. A drivers meeting before with directions to the end and common sense makes for a lot of fun.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23,900
Likes: 218
From: Foxtrot Delta Tango
Clubs I've been a member of in the past usually have a short meeting at the departure site. It is stated that if you do not feel like staying up with the group...get to the back of the line...........if they don't get it...pass them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,619
Likes: 101
From: Prattville Alabama
I participated in just ONE cruise with the local Corvette club and I swore I'd NEVER caravan with a group AGAIN! It was the most maddening thing ever. It was like we were one of the folds in the bellows of an accordion. 65MPH up to 95MPH, then back down to 65MPH, then up to 100MPH. Wash, lather, rinse, and repeat for miles and miles.
Tell me where you are meeting up and I'll get there on my own... You'd swear Corvette owners riding in caravans have no idea their car is even equipped with a cruise control...
U.M.
Tell me where you are meeting up and I'll get there on my own... You'd swear Corvette owners riding in caravans have no idea their car is even equipped with a cruise control...
U.M.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 244
From: carlisle pa
I feel you pain. It's been awhile since I was in a car club, but our president used to so well prepared, and usually we would meet at a parking lot before we ventured out. The game plan was all spelled out, where we were going, when and where we would be stopping (pit stops etc.) and our final destination.
We didn't worry about the laggers, because if they couldn't keep up, then at least they knew "the plan" and where we were going.
If they got lost, too bad.
With cell phones, it's easy for the ones that lag or get lost, to call someone in the group and find out where everyone is.
I don't do car clubs anymore, because I like going on drives at my pace, stop where I want, and get there fast, or poke along.
We didn't worry about the laggers, because if they couldn't keep up, then at least they knew "the plan" and where we were going.
If they got lost, too bad.
With cell phones, it's easy for the ones that lag or get lost, to call someone in the group and find out where everyone is.
I don't do car clubs anymore, because I like going on drives at my pace, stop where I want, and get there fast, or poke along.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 185
From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I really don't enjoy car cruises much anymore. Some of the cruises I have been on went through small towns with traffic lights and stop signs. Other cars get in the way, and slower drivers fall hopelessly behind, especially with two lane roads with no passing allowed.
I don't consider myself a slow driver, but I know there are others out there whose cars handle better or who are more skilled drivers. I don't like being pushed beyond my comfort level.
A car club I know of has a lead car and a caboose. No one is allowed to pass the lead car, and the caboose always brings up the rear to assist anyone in trouble.
I don't consider myself a slow driver, but I know there are others out there whose cars handle better or who are more skilled drivers. I don't like being pushed beyond my comfort level.
A car club I know of has a lead car and a caboose. No one is allowed to pass the lead car, and the caboose always brings up the rear to assist anyone in trouble.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 40
From: Raleigh NC
For those of you in Corvette clubs etc that go on group drives, I have a question. What is a nice way to address a driver that always seems to lag behind the group (we don't speed or drive in an unsafe manner)? This is the car that no one wants to get behind on group drives. We want to handle this in an up-front way without hurting anyone's feelings. Any suggestions? I would really like to hear from someone who has dealt with this same situation to a successful resolve.