PCA requires us to have group leaders and sweepers for tours.  Failure to meet this requirement could result in loss of PCA provided liability insurance and therefore cancellation of events.  It is preferred to have a driver and navigator in Lead and Sweep vehicles. The navigator will be the communicator. Leaders and sweepers will need to have a smart phone with the free app RideWithGPS installed so that they can download the tours’ route instructions (spoken turn-by-turn instructions and map). Leaders and Sweepers will be provided a two way radio so that they can stay in contact with each other during the driving portions of the tour.

PCA requires the tour leader to publish the names, car color, model, and phone numbers of the group leaders and sweepers to the tour participants so that everyone is clear on who the leaders and sweepers are, and so that they can contact them at any time during the tour if needed.  I will also ask the group leaders to assist in organizing and lining up the cars in their groups after sign-in for the tours to speed up our departures.

The following outlines duties of group leaders and sweepers and navigators.

Leaders:

1. Group leaders will check-out a pair of radios from the tour leader. Return them at the end of the tour.

2. The group leader will assist in lining up the vehicles in their group (as assigned by the tour leader).

3. The leaders’ navigator is also the communicator. This leaves the driver free to keep both hands on the wheel.

4. Lead by example, abide by all PCA safety expectations. Group leaders will set the speed for the group.  Posted speed limits are the expectation.

5. Leads are responsible for “pulling the pack” and staying on course.

6. Proactively observe, and communicate to the sweep any challenges to keeping the group intact.

7. As you are approaching a traffic light notice if it has been green and is about to turn. Can you safely stop? It is much easier to safely get a whole group through on a fresh green.

8. If you could not safely stop and the group is split at a traffic signal is there a safe place to pull over or slow to wait on the rest of the group to catch up?

9. Group leaders should pay attention to the group following them to insure everyone has seen turns, made it through intersections, traffic signals or stop signs, and are together. It is impossible to prevent some cars from getting mixed into our groups but be sure all of your group members are with you.

10. If your sweeper contacts you about a car with a mechanical look for a place to pull your group over safely and then wait to determine what whether they will be able to continue.

Sweepers:

1. The sweeper will not pass anyone in their group. Stay on course and maintain a safe pace.

2. Proactively observe and act on opportunities to keep your group intact by communicating with the leader at each intersection and course turn to let them know if all in the group have cleared the intersection.

3. If you see any unsafe driving from a group member communicate with the lead to keep them informed.

4. Communicate any group separation immediately – the range of our radios is quite limited.

5. If a vehicle in your group has a mechanical or other issue and must pull over the sweeper will stay with them.  The sweeper’s navigator will call the leader’s navigator to pass on information on the situation.  The leader may need to find a place to pull the group over.

6. If a vehicle in your group must abandon the tour contact the tour leader’s navigator to inform them of the situation.

7. If you get lost contact the tour leader’s navigator by phone.

Communication Tips:

1. Hold the mike button a second before speaking to insure the radio is transmitting

2. Do a radio check before departing the tour starting location and again before departing any planned stops

3. Start your communication with “Group” followed by your group number to prevent confusion because other groups may be in range

4. 90% of communication is Sweep to Lead – the Sweep has the best line of site on the group.

5. Keep communications short and to the point

If you are willing to help, please contact Sam Mosley here.