[How not to lose yer mates on a convoy.]

Actually guys, the following are some convoy rules and guidelines which should help to keep everyone together as much as possible. Carole and Hunter put them together following other convoy guidelines. These were used very well at News. Its all down to the lead car doing it right.

Of course a cruise through the centre of town is tricky so lets see how well they work, but there's no reason why they shouldn't.

There will be various points along the way where we can collect folks back up. Remember, the slightest gap left by not making a traffic light behind will make it very very hard for that follower to catch up.
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How not to lose yer mates on a convoy.

After several years of convoys and losing the odd vehicle during a run we thought it was about time we shared a few rules and pieces of etiquette for the better way to keep a convoy together.  Now it would be nice if other road users just stayed out of our way and the lights all stayed green 'till we passed through them, but unless we get a police escort it just aint gonna happen.  So, this is what we need to do as the authorities aren't gonna help and we want to enjoy our convoy safely.


Do 'Convoy Rules' mean anything to you?

For those of you whom it doesn't the following is intended to explain the meaning and purpose of a few simple rules.

The success of a convoy run depends on two things:
a) The driver of the lead car knowing where he is going!
b) The driver of each car staying, WITHOUT FAIL, with the car BEHIND and NOT the car in front.

In practice this means that each driver, starting with the lead car, drives in such a way that they never lose visual contact, for any significant period, with the car following.

DO NOT attempt to stay with the car in front under any circumstance. Your responsibility and allegiance is with the car BEHIND you. Keep the car behind you in sight, if it is not then STOP in a safe place asap!  The car in front of you will then realize that you have stopped and will also stop, and so forth until the lead car has also stopped.

You should drive at a speed and in such a way that the car behind you stays in visual contact.

This is the Fundamental Rule of Convoy driving.

The following are a few ideas/hints on how to achieve this:

• Drive at a speed that you can comfortably maintain. If all goes to plan the actual speed of the convoy should be set by the slowest car. If you find you are pulling away from the car behind slow down slightly to allow them to maintain visual contact. Conversely if the car behind you closes the gap, and you are able and willing to raise the speed slightly, do so until you have re-established a reasonable gap between the cars.
• Do not close up on the car in front unless the car behind has closed up on you! Try and maintain a constant speed, try not to keep speeding up and slowing down. The effect is accentuated as you pass down the convoy.
• Space between cars. There is no set distance; it will depend on speed, road conditions and line of sight. On main roads the distance can be quite large allowing other vehicles to overtake easily; on country routes the gap should be reduced to aid visual contact but still allow space for other traffic to overtake. In town the gap should be as small as possible. This aids visual contact and maximises the number of cars that can pass through traffic lights etc during each sequence.
• Use your indicators; make sure that if you are changing direction that you try and indicate in plenty of time for those that are following to be able to see that they need to change lanes or get in the correct lane for the change of direction.
• If you go through a traffic light that changes to red the last car through should wait, somewhere safe, for the lights to change again and the next car comes through.
• If you go around a roundabout always check that the person behind you is through.  This may mean going around again (however many times is necessary).  Don't worry 'cos the others in front of you will be stopped up and waiting for you.

N.B.
It would be really handy for those that are going to attend the event to make themselves known in advance. Also, if they have CB radio's fitted or if they are in anyway familiar with the route or even a part of the route then let us know. This would help with the organization and sorting of the convoy with key contacts placed in strategic positions being able to inform those ahead if there have been any issues occurring toward the rear of the convoy. If you are also carrying a passenger they could help with a little light route checking to help keep you on track and up with the rest of the convoy.

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now let me think....no thanks ,not gonna try and keep up with that beast of a buggy ,I will give mine a blast tho,its set up very nice and is very pokey indeed,i will say you will be quite shocked on how nippy it is,but not that nippy lol

or basically thrash    ;Dand make loads of noise lol...and then all pull over on the kirb in the middle of London when ya pal breaks down and laugh ha ha ...then jump back in and thrash it again and make loads of noise ha ha and then thrash it some more lol....and then race a Nissan skyline to the ace café and watch is face in disbelief as a fellow in a yellow beach buggy with a Viking hat on has just smoked his Nissan skyline with 10 k of mods lol ...ha ha roll on the morning 

Nice one Andy, just hope whoever is in front of me knows the route and has read your guidelines
#@?#** Android, got the route on it, then it would only show the directions not the map, now it has lost it again and is back to plotting its own route from Grays to Ace.
Just printed everything and hope I get a passenger who can read it for me 
Dave

did stay focused boy contact you for a lift dave ? and stop being sensible you lot smile and go with the flow lol

I wont be doing anything too crazy  in fact Gary was worse than me last year (Great to watch as he smoked his motor from the lights) ... I will abide by the convoy rules as I am no guru on London roads, I just did as Chris did last year and tried to stay with everyone.

I have printed off as well, I will use my phone if needed. Yes google maps doesnt seem to have a save function for routes, or not that I know off.

See you all tomorrow, It does a little rain in the afternoon 2-9pm bring ya hoods!

I had my own sat nav last year called ....hunter and carol ,I stayed with them like glue lol

[My Youtube channel]

Cant believe I didn't catch the Grand Prix start at the lights on the embankment on the video with Gary and Aaron 

Any way, will make sure all cameras are OK tomorrow (well at least one of them is water proof!) Yes there is a slight chance of a few spots towards the end of the day as we finish at Ace. (I mean at the end of our allotted time at Ace itself - don't speak too soon but the cruise should be dry!!!)

I know its tricky balance keeping with the one in front but also making sure the ones behind are there too! 

My son has watched those Youtube videos from last years Ace cruise many many times from you Andy! They are great.

IM ONLY BLEEDING BACK ,LOOK OUT YOU LOT,BEEN DRIVING ITALIAN STYLE THINK LONDONS SCARY TRY NAPLES LOL

Not heard from him Chris, will PM him my mobile number.  He can have a lift so long as he can read directions and brings his reading glasses 

  just seen latest weather for tomorrow 

Saturday is looking good till 13:00 then deteriorating.
Want a lift Clem, I've got a roof

Stayfocusedboy, you got mail

Saturday is looking good till 13:00 then deteriorating.
Want a lift Clem, I've got a roof

Stayfocusedboy, you got mail

Would love to but little one is away for weekend so want to spend time with the misses so might go to white noise and camp  but cheers for the offer 

OK Clem, will head straight to Thurrock services unless anyone else is gathering at Borehamwood.
Let me know what you do as if you dont end up camping (camping in that weather is as bad as driving in it) I may be driving up to Norwich on the sunday