TPC Group Driving Etiquette & Formations

[CarDemon]

http://www.zap16.com/images/russianknightsgroup02_small.jpg
Coming out of the Westside and going to many pre-meets we drive in various numbers from 6-12+ at times. I have noticed some good and bad things that make the cruise entertaining.
FRS's are considered a must and enhance communication.

However there are some driving styles and situations we encounter as a group which can be remedied. But nothing can be more important than the individual ego.

I've been pissed off silently with a few members and some scoundrel like tactics but that is minor. I have applauded some members for the following...

*good blocking tactics to let a fellow pro in when a lane was cutting off.
* using indicators to communicate a lane change
* tapping the brakes to get my attention instead of just coming to abrupt changes in slowdown speed.
* not tailgating but maintaining good distance and keeping up with the pack
*not hogging airtime on the FRS
*STAYING IN THE DAMN FORMATION
*consideration for traffic lights
*designating smaller driving pack leaders, issuing maps, confirming routes and destination points.
*fueling up before a meet and not stopping on route
*maintaining a constant speed
*going with the flow of traffic
*using our names/nicknames in periodic rollcalls on-route to check attendance
*group punishing tactics to other asshole drivers shows comraderie and gangbanging cohesiveness
*communication potential hazards, good looking cars,girls and other ricey looking crap vehicles on the road.
* I WAS IMPRESSED @ MP5 NAVY'S DUKES OF HAZARD ROADBLOCK AT THE TPC CHRISTMAS PARTY ON A 3 LANE BUSY STREET AS 14+ Westsiders made a left turn. That deserves a medal!!

Some of you may add to this and have violent objections, but feel free to add. Notice I am not singling out any members in a negative way and the positives are stated.
http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[kiwee]

I AGREE!!! i noticed on the way to the rookie meet the wesstside was all OVER THE PLACE. when we are travelling, it is MUCH more impressive to on lookers to see a LINE of p5's then a whole hoard of us driving like maniacs. we need to act/drive like we are westsiders IE, smooth like butter. well put mike!

[KurtMP3]

Just make sure Tax isnt in your group and your fine - that red headed rooster cant drive....CAN U DIG IT SUCKA!!!!


Best TPC move of all time was when we blocked in the bastard on the 401 en route to the Car Show in Windsor....man that guy was pissed.....Kudos to Nick, Ed, Mark, Mark and myself for that naughty driving technique....DONT MESS WITH A PRO!

[MP5Navy]

Uhhh... I can say that WESTSIDE drives from Pre-Meets are fairly well coordinated as long as a few veteran WESTSIDERS are in the formation.

Some people need to keep their heads up and mind the Pro in front of them so they don't get lost - Keep an eye on the Pro infront of you. If he's speeding away bling your highs so he knows to slow down.

I get seriously aggravated when some of the clan members can't arrive together.

It's interesting to note that Demon has been lost on many occasions and he is the one distressed at cruising techniques.

Oh and never pass the point man cause he's the one coordinating all lane changes and turns. When you pass pooint others will follow suit and will be confused by your reactions. Look for the man in front - watch for the occasional blink of 4-way flashers. When you are last in line and have meet up with the group after a left turn and signal then make your presence known to the point man and honk your horn.

I feel confident at point and make it my duty to see that everyone has a very simple time keeping with the group.

Following distances must also be shorter - we are all Pro drivers you can trust that the dude ahead of you is not gonna brake suddenly just to be an ass. People that follow way too far away let non-Pros into the line and lose sight of point - don't do this.

My list of good drivers and clan cruisers:

Chops
Moss
Jesse
Sven
Jali
Doc
Word!

If I didn't mention your name - I meant not to http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Sky_high]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CarDemon @ May 08 2003,9:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">*STAYING IN THE DAMN FORMATION[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I have a strong feeling that this quote is directed to me!!! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Demon- What can I say.... I turn into 'Maverick'!!!
http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/45/128645.jpg

By the way, in my younger days- I use to have the HOTS for Kelly McGillis. I wonder whatever happend to her?
http://images.art.com/images/products/small/10053000/10053647.jpg

[Mike_Moss]

sounds good to me...

personally, the &quot;do-whatever-it-takes-to-keep-the-same-car(s)-infront-and-behind-you-at-all-times &quot; attitude comes in handy...i think this should be drilled into everyones head and its all good.

also, if you have a problem with this, a special remedial driving group can be arranged to depart earlier and still arrive on schedule.

[cruisinblackp5]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KurtMP3 @ May 08 2003,11:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Best TPC move of all time was when we blocked in the bastard on the 401 en route to the Car Show in Windsor....man that guy was pissed.....Kudos to Nick, Ed, Mark, Mark and myself for that naughty driving technique....DONT MESS WITH A PRO![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Best of all time and that might be on tape if you ask Nick for it.

[CarDemon]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mike_moss @ May 09 2003,12:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">the &quot;do-whatever-it-takes-to-keep-the-same-car(s)-infront-and-behind-you-at-all-times &quot; attitude comes in handy...i think this should be drilled into everyones head and its all good.
schedule.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well put Moschella and Killian! Especially on highway cruises where a tight squadron line-up formation is respected, other people won't break into the Protege-line if it is tight.

I have notice that smaller manageable subgroups of 4-5 are quite good in the inner city driving and highway. What if these subgroups took up all the lanes on the 401 going at the same speed. That would be neat.

Then..., there are some pack leaders who make it through the amber/red (am'red) light after with their V-TEC 9000RPM limit shift minimum cams, Brullen Exhaust barking, intraveneous NOS Shot squirts, F-18 Tomcat Afterburner glowing muffler, Rice Headers Howl, Injen Cold Air Gulping Intake, Space Shuttle Challenger Atmosphere Re-Entry glow sound barrier engine kicks in ...and then expect the following 13+ to folllow suit is a wee bit inconsiderate too.

All in all, I've never had any real problems, but I would like to see a more professional approach. The cruise to the Rookie Meet was like watching ATARI 2600 1983's Bump'n'Game with all the Pros hopping from lane to lane. It was neat to just find a bright ass orange Mazda Speed and follow.

I think the bright ass coloured P5's and MazdaSpeeds should be the designated PACE CARS.

[Bumble G]

yes I do believe we need some etiquitte.

This is my opinion. Hate me if you like for it but....

From the few times I was part of cruises I was about 85% impressed with the behaviour. The other 15% of it was uncalled for and/or illegal.

When we cruise as a group remeber that you are representing the club. Especially when you have &quot;toprotege.com&quot; stickers on your car. Now if you do something illegal, not let other traffic in, box in another driver because you didn't like what they did, etc. It looks bad for the club. Yes there should be comrodary between us but only to a certain extent. Just think what would happen if the next person you box in is an off duty officer. guess what he sees the toprotege.com sticker and automatically profiles the whole club as a bunch of immature kids that drive agressivly and dangerously. Well now you might as well have &quot;Pull me over please&quot; stickers on your car.

When we're out as club or just cruising the town remeber you are representing ALL of us.

[Bumblebee(Word!)]

Does anyone remember the &quot;Flying V&quot; that we did on the way to the christmas meet?? now THAT was classic.. we had confused people behind us, and all the space in the world ahead of us!! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif

[kiwee]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MP5Navy @ May 08 2003,11:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">My list of good drivers and clan cruisers:

Chops
Moss
Jesse
Sven
Jali
Doc
Word!

If I didn't mention your name - I meant not to  http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
HEY! why am i not on that list.... i seem to recall a navy and a lazer blue p5 on the way to amy's meet speeding together IN THE RAIN! i kept up wit' ya! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[ChopstickHero]

I've had alot of fun cruises over the past meets. alot of them memorable like the WESTSIDE premeet races to DnBs, Woodbine and 16th, etc. Probably the best cruise i had was the Poker Run last August. there were about 12 or 13 cars and the formation was tight. it was a beautiful day and nobody was out of formation, nobody got lost and we were all having fun.

pics courtesy of joe:
http://www.joesworld.ca/albums/pokerrun/poker02.jpg

http://www.joesworld.ca/albums/pokerrun/poker03.jpg

we should do it again... http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mike_Moss]

thats a WICKED pic!!! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif


should go back to that spot and get one from a raised view (someone standing out of a sunroof, maybe?) and w/all 3 lanes full of pro's.

[KurtMP3]

Nick has video of the box in?!!!!

Oh and dont worry Bumble we boxed this guy in way out near Windsor and he knew he had it coming anyways

[cruisinblackp5]

I am not 100% sure but he was doing a lot of in car filming that day maybe he got a pick of that Hoda, with all the spoilers.

[CarDemon]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Bumble G @ May 09 2003,08:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">yes I do believe we need some etiquitte.

When we cruise as a group remeber that you are representing the club. Especially when you have &quot;toprotege.com&quot; stickers on your car. Now if you do something illegal, not let other traffic in, box in another driver because you didn't like what they did, etc. It looks bad for the club.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Excellent point. And trust me dude I now have the BG CUSTOMS sticker on my car so I'll rep you well.

Flying V that is just jokes. I must have been one of the outter tails at the end. Was it when some guys were in the collectors and some guys were in the expresslanes on the 401 and then we merged togther like Canadian Geese migrating?

Killian, don't worry about that off de head list. I drive to arrive alive and I mentioned it just before Hondakillah got into a mishap before a meet. I was getting concerned at some of the mach II speeds we were travelling at to some of the meets.

But I guess the Koreans have perfected the Sparko Ejection Seat which of course is constantly charged by a small nuclear generator. If cops do nab some of us on route to a group meet that would not be too nice and of course I may be the token Blackguy taken the fall for some of your asses.

NOw the question remains if you'ld let them beat me or pepperspray me to death?

[kiwee]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CarDemon @ May 09 2003,3:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">NOw the question remains if you'ld let them beat me or pepperspray me to death?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
they would probably pepperspray you till you are blind and stumbling around AND THEN hold out their nightclubs and while you were stumbling around blind, they would &quot;accidentally&quot; beat you to a bloody pulp and say you just &quot;walked&quot; into their clubs....... HAH!

[CarDemon]

Just thought I would resurrect this thread to stir some thought following the Minden Cruise.

Can anyone find Jason Laxmanna's post on this? I have 56K Ghetto Dial-up and the search function is slow for me.

[Sky_high]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CarDemon @ Oct. 06 2003,06:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just thought I would resurrect this thread to stir some thought following the Minden Cruise.

Can anyone find Jason Laxmanna's post on this? I have 56K Ghetto Dial-up and the search function is slow for me.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I'm glad this 'resurrection' is not aimed at me this time!! Who forgot to keep formation this time!!!?? (There better not be another Maverick in the club) http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[CarDemon]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Sky_high @ Oct. 06 2003,07:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'm glad this 'resurrection' is not aimed at me this time!! Who forgot to keep formation this time!!!?? (There better not be another Maverick in the club) http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey there Jeremy, the original post was never aimed at you.
I remembered that on some of the big cruises last year, not everyone was on the same page.

Group cohesiveness is just as fun and even more pleasurable on trips. Little things like looking over a map, not leaving anyone way behind, and comraderie amongst us folk is what makes this club special.

Plus Dirty Harry Coppers like Bob Armstranglestronghold know we are good citizens when we cruise. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Maintaining the line and formation will always have challenges on the highway, but if we pre-communicated ideas we all could benefit.

Y'all better watch out for the [B}Ghetto Concept Performance Trends FUNERAL SIGNAGE[/B] to be mounted on trunks, hatches door sills to alert others that we are in a convoy. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

And if you buggers think I'm joking...I'm not. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Except at this funeral of which we drive spirited too, we throw RICE. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif &lt;tee-hee-hee&gt; (me so funny)

[jgoertzen]

I agree...well formed groups can be more fun the weaving
anyways....the weving and racing is generally reserved for the ride back to westside.. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif

When you learn the little quirks and quarks of other TPC drivers you can start to pull of more demanding and skillfull moves while in the convoy....example...i believe it was heading to tuckers for the xmas party last year....when i was trailing Demon.....it was half raining and half slush .....so washerfluid was a must..and i had run out...

My commrad Demon cleverly offered assistance with my problem... and we coordinated a car-to-car washer fluid transfer while doing 120 down the 401.. needless to say it was pulled off flawlessly...westside style http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

Co ordination is key in groups... And props to Davey for his Westside blocking tactic..... I believe he is holding a workshop on westside driving manuvers next week... i look forward to hearing the stories from that expadition on the board..:)

BTW....Demon...if you need a poster child for your GCPT Funeral Signage...I work For Coffee http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mike_Moss]

If all you like convoys, you should start autocrossing. We convoy everywhere.

And its fun since everyone likes to DRIVE when you're w/autocrossers. Not just a bunch of old ladies doing 40 UNDER the limit.

(I'm not talking about speeding and being erratic and agressive, just talking about driving safely, defensively and effectively.)

[CarDemon]

And here it is folks, Jason Laxative's(YP5's) post..,

TPC Convoy Rules (http://msg.toprotege.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=35;t=7002)