Please plan to arrive at the designated location no later than 7:30 AM. There will be many riders milling about, so keep a sharp eye out.

We’ll need time to take the comm. drivers for a lap around the course to make sure we all know where we’re going. That will take us very close to the start of the first race, so try to arrive on time! Radios will be provided. You will be introduced to the Race officials who will be diving with you. Convertible tops or T tops need to be off if you have them.

Remember to arrive with a full tank of gas and to bring something to drink and munch on during the race. There is no stopping during the race, so be careful how much you drink!

Make sure your mirrors are adjusted, especially the side mirrors so you can look out for cyclists coming up from behind. Drive with the headlights and 4-way flashers on at all times, and don’t be afraid to flash the high beams and use the horn to warn!

Make sure you know which race you are escorting, how many laps it runs, and the distance. Before starting, reset the trip odometer so you can refer to it in case you forget which lap you are on.

Comm2:
This vehicle leads the race to alert course marshals, police and other traffic of the race’s approach.

Drive with the 4 way flashers on. As you approach an intersection or other potential hazardous location, blow the horn and flash the headlights. DON’T BE SHY. You are there to be noticed. Be like the cars you see in cycling videos. Favor the left side of your lane – hug the yellow line to urge oncoming traffic to the far side. Keep an eye on driveways and side roads, too.

Keep enough distance ahead of the pack to provide enough warning and to not interfere with the riders, but don’t let other traffic jump in behind you. If they do, open up a bigger lead and make them pass you if possible. Keep an eye on your mirrors, especially on downhill because the riders pick up speed quickly. Don’t let the riders catch you or you could affect the outcome of the race.

Get farther ahead of the field on downhills because the riders will be going much faster and the marshals will need earlier warning of their approach. This is especially important at the Mt. Wachusett race on Saturday.

On the uphills, allow them to get closer so other traffic doesn’t get tempted to jump in, just don’t gas them with your exhaust. On climbing sections, be on the lookout for lone riders making a break out of the field. They try to surprise their opponents, and they could surprise you, too!

Be aware of the build up for the finish. The pace will pick up about a mile from the finish, and there could be some attacks going. As you start to the finish line, pull well ahead of the riders. Don’t let the riders catch you or you could cause a problem or affect the outcome of the race..

Know how many laps the race is and look for the “laps to go” sign at the finish line each time around.

Take another lap after the race and pull into the staging area from which you started

Overtaking a slower field
There are times where one field catches another. If your field is caught, the official may ask you to ‘neutralize’ it. This means slowing down – way down – to less than 15 mph and moving to the right edge of the road until the faster field has passed. No rider from your field is allowed to pass you. After the other field has passed, allow them to gain a good lead before allowing your riders to get back up to speed.

Comm 1:
This vehicle follows the race to allow the official to observe the race, issue warnings to offenders, track mishaps, and protect the back of the field from motorists.

Follow the race closely enough to allow the official to see what is going on and to prevent traffic from jumping in between you and the riders. Keep enough distance to avoid crashes, especially on downhills.

Follow the directions of the official. They might want occasionally to pull up alongside the field to administer instructions or warnings. If a break develops, you will be asked to follow it. Pass the field assertively to minimize the time/distance you will be on the left side of the road. Use the horn and lights a lot.

Be careful when coming to an uphill. The riders will be slowing so much they’ll seem to be in reverse, so be ready to use the brakes and don’t get too close.

You will pass a lot of stragglers. These riders are usually exhausted and may not be paying much attention; so give them a gentle beep on the horn before you overtake.

At the end of the race, turn into the parking lot so the car can be readied for the next race.

Staging the vehicles:
The vehicles must be arranged so that they are ready to assume their roles as soon as the race begins. We will figure out how to arrange the cars best when we get there, but keep an eye on the schedule to make sure you are at the vehicle, ready to go when the riders are lining up. Your car will have a sign or some other marking that describes the race it is supporting and what its role is.

When the field is ready to go, Comm 2 will pull out and wait about 100 yards down the road. Comm. 1 will be staged to be ready to follow, and the pace car of the next race will be right behind it. When the race starts, the pace car will pull out and proceed. The Comm. 2 car will proceed after the field has entered the course.

Please feel free to contact me during the week.  This will be a lot of fun, and probably the best way to see a bike race.

Thanks again

Art Caponi