Information for Members
Q: What is meant by a Short Drive and how much gas should I have?
With most members invitations for a short drive may only be a few miles from the starting point to the destination so a 1/4 tank may be enough. Note:If Greg calls for one at least have a half of a tank of gas with a full tank suggested. Many of his trips become country cruises, many many miles from the nearest gas station and be assured that you will be joining the 'gas club' if you need gas while on the drive.
With most members invitations for a short drive may only be a few miles from the starting point to the destination so a 1/4 tank may be enough. Note:If Greg calls for one at least have a half of a tank of gas with a full tank suggested. Many of his trips become country cruises, many many miles from the nearest gas station and be assured that you will be joining the 'gas club' if you need gas while on the drive.
Q: How do I get involved?
When you are brand new you may feel like the extra wheel, the fastest way to feel like a full fledged member is to start doing some of the events... after 1 or 2 events you'll really feel like you belong and the new shyness thing will melt away quick... this is a fun group that welcomes new members and new ideas so get involved quickly! Also make sure that the Social Director has your correct email address, as event information is updated through email.
Q: What type of radios are used during club events?
Corvettes of Central Indiana typically communicates over GMRS (General Mobil Radio Service) channel 3.0) during our caravans and at events. Doing tests in June of 2017 we found that the practical Corvette to Corvette range of the radios is 1/2 - 3/4 mile. This was a confirmation of our multiple years of caravans where we set up a relay radio roughly every 8 Corvettes, so that directions and getting through intersections can be made known to all.
After the June tests, we generally recommend the Motorola MR350R which can be purchased at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, etc. The key to any purchase is to find the manufactures unit with the highest mile rating, even though in practicality they will hardly ever go a mile. An interesting radio guide published by Fast Radios has good background radio information is here: Guide Fast Radios Website
NOTE: *All* GMRS radios receive just fine and the two above are being recommended for their superior transmitting range ~ about 3/4 mile ~ after our extensive testing on 6/12/17, as summarized in our Radio Test PDF.
If you think there's a better radio we haven't tested; share that with our Radio-master ~ John Vess as he would be glad to revise our recommendations as newer units come out.
After the June tests, we generally recommend the Motorola MR350R which can be purchased at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, etc. The key to any purchase is to find the manufactures unit with the highest mile rating, even though in practicality they will hardly ever go a mile. An interesting radio guide published by Fast Radios has good background radio information is here: Guide Fast Radios Website
NOTE: *All* GMRS radios receive just fine and the two above are being recommended for their superior transmitting range ~ about 3/4 mile ~ after our extensive testing on 6/12/17, as summarized in our Radio Test PDF.
If you think there's a better radio we haven't tested; share that with our Radio-master ~ John Vess as he would be glad to revise our recommendations as newer units come out.
Q: What caravan tips are suggested?
For those that have not done a caravan before it is a lot of fun but in order for it to run smoothly you need to be aware of some caravan tips:
1. keep up with the caravan car ahead of you and do not let a big gap develop as metal cars will be tempted to dive in the gap and break up the caravan, stay in as tight a group as possible. Avoid leaving large gaps! If everyone leaves large gaps we'll be spread out over a long way!
2. If we are being escorted, pay close attention to the motorcycle police commands and where they are. Expect them to pass you at high rates of speed as they do their jobs and move from the rear of the caravan to the front. This will happen on the Interstate and frequently on the city streets as we move from stop light to stop light. Keep them safe and know where they are and where they are going so you don't inadvertently cut one off as you change lanes... use your mirrors frequently as you need to know what the police behind you are doing!
3. Follow at a safe distance behind the Vette in front of you but not so far back that you encourage non caravan traffic to "drop in" the spot between your cars. In other words pay close attention and keep up because when you "boomerang" and drop back and have to catch up it creates large gaps in the caravan and the cars behind you then have to drive very fast to catch up.
4. As you approach exit ramps be aware that non caravan traffic on your left may need to "break through" the caravan to get off at that exit. If such an event requires you to slow momentarily to let a car through then after they exit please punch it and close the caravan back up as quickly as possible.
5. If a car decides to join our caravan lane and is between you and the caravan car you are following, this can create caravan gaps and cause problems for the caravan behind you. As soon as you can safely do so pass this car and get back behind the caravan car you were following.
6. Make sure the caravan car you are following is in fact a caravan car. Sounds funny but I have seen strange things happen in caravans when 1 driver doesn't pay attention and starts to follow another Vette that is not apart of the caravan and is simply going somewhere else. Remember the car behind you is following you and the car behind that car is following that car, etc. etc. So YOU are leading the rest of the caravan behind you and it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what one driver in the caravan that is not paying attention can do to the event! Pay attention or they could be talking about you for years! :<)
7. In a non escorted caravan if we are on multiple lane roads with stop lights, double up and use all available lanes to keep the caravan length as short as possible so we have our best chance of getting through traffic lights before they cut the pack in 2 or more groups.
8) be sure to use your 2 way radio so you know what the caravan leader is doing and are prepared for turns
9) if you are leading the caravan, keep people informed, use right turns (or roundabouts) only when possible, etc.
10) The leader should provide their cell phone number to everyone on paper in case someone gets lost or has a problem and they should have their cell phone charged, turned on, and within reach. Provide the name of where we are going to eat so anyone that gets separated can find the restaurant. Consider providing the address and/or a map with the phone number of the restaurant. Make sure last car has a cell or radio, if not move them up in line and ask the last car to keep the leader informed if anyone gets separated at traffic lights, etc.
11) Make sure every car and driver is ready to go before leaving. Each car needs to remember that they ARE the leader for the pack behind them so watch for cars behind you in line to make sure they don't get separated and advise the leader of any problems.
In summary just be really focused and alert on the drive. Remember if you are in a police escorted caravan and have the right-of-way so you may not be required to stop at traffic lights and signs but watch the non caravan traffic for those few knuckleheads that are slow to get the message. Drive safely but keep up and HAVE FUN!
1. keep up with the caravan car ahead of you and do not let a big gap develop as metal cars will be tempted to dive in the gap and break up the caravan, stay in as tight a group as possible. Avoid leaving large gaps! If everyone leaves large gaps we'll be spread out over a long way!
2. If we are being escorted, pay close attention to the motorcycle police commands and where they are. Expect them to pass you at high rates of speed as they do their jobs and move from the rear of the caravan to the front. This will happen on the Interstate and frequently on the city streets as we move from stop light to stop light. Keep them safe and know where they are and where they are going so you don't inadvertently cut one off as you change lanes... use your mirrors frequently as you need to know what the police behind you are doing!
3. Follow at a safe distance behind the Vette in front of you but not so far back that you encourage non caravan traffic to "drop in" the spot between your cars. In other words pay close attention and keep up because when you "boomerang" and drop back and have to catch up it creates large gaps in the caravan and the cars behind you then have to drive very fast to catch up.
4. As you approach exit ramps be aware that non caravan traffic on your left may need to "break through" the caravan to get off at that exit. If such an event requires you to slow momentarily to let a car through then after they exit please punch it and close the caravan back up as quickly as possible.
5. If a car decides to join our caravan lane and is between you and the caravan car you are following, this can create caravan gaps and cause problems for the caravan behind you. As soon as you can safely do so pass this car and get back behind the caravan car you were following.
6. Make sure the caravan car you are following is in fact a caravan car. Sounds funny but I have seen strange things happen in caravans when 1 driver doesn't pay attention and starts to follow another Vette that is not apart of the caravan and is simply going somewhere else. Remember the car behind you is following you and the car behind that car is following that car, etc. etc. So YOU are leading the rest of the caravan behind you and it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what one driver in the caravan that is not paying attention can do to the event! Pay attention or they could be talking about you for years! :<)
7. In a non escorted caravan if we are on multiple lane roads with stop lights, double up and use all available lanes to keep the caravan length as short as possible so we have our best chance of getting through traffic lights before they cut the pack in 2 or more groups.
8) be sure to use your 2 way radio so you know what the caravan leader is doing and are prepared for turns
9) if you are leading the caravan, keep people informed, use right turns (or roundabouts) only when possible, etc.
10) The leader should provide their cell phone number to everyone on paper in case someone gets lost or has a problem and they should have their cell phone charged, turned on, and within reach. Provide the name of where we are going to eat so anyone that gets separated can find the restaurant. Consider providing the address and/or a map with the phone number of the restaurant. Make sure last car has a cell or radio, if not move them up in line and ask the last car to keep the leader informed if anyone gets separated at traffic lights, etc.
11) Make sure every car and driver is ready to go before leaving. Each car needs to remember that they ARE the leader for the pack behind them so watch for cars behind you in line to make sure they don't get separated and advise the leader of any problems.
In summary just be really focused and alert on the drive. Remember if you are in a police escorted caravan and have the right-of-way so you may not be required to stop at traffic lights and signs but watch the non caravan traffic for those few knuckleheads that are slow to get the message. Drive safely but keep up and HAVE FUN!
Q: What can I do to get ready for a parade or car show?
If you plan to show your car at car shows, drive it for race day celebrations on the Indy 500 track, drive it in any of the various parades the club participates in, it always looks great with a couple of USA car flags on it. You may want to order some and one great source is Flag Caddie at http://www.flagcaddie.com/order.asp
