RBTS

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

REQUIRED - IN GENERAL

Wear your seat belt at all times when you are in your car.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed in and around any participating car during the event. Each participating car may be inspected for compliance at any time during the event.
Attend drivers meeting at the beginning of each day's drive. DO pay attention to information, advice, and suggestions at this meeting. Almost always there is a change or some information you wish you had.

REQUIRED - PREPARATION FOR YOU AND YOUR CAR
Bring a radio (walkie-talkie) to get updates from other drivers throughout the drive. Cars without a functioning radio will not be allowed to drive with the group.
Have a technical inspection form completed for your car at your shop of choice. See the forms page to download this form. Bring completed form to check-in on event day. You will not be allowed to drive with the group without a properly completed technical inspection form.
Arrive at the starting point each morning with a full tank of gas. It's not nice to hold up 30 or more people who want to be on the road while you're filling up. If it's a long drive to the starting point, leave early enough to fill up your car's tank near the starting point.
All drivers and passengers should be prepared to show their actual valid drivers license (no copies will be accepted) and proof of automobile liability insurance coverage to the Tourmaster, staff, or volunteer during check-in at the starting point. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to drive or ride with the group.
Your vehicle should be in good mechanical condition. You don't want to have a breakdown miles from the nearest service station or tow truck - but if you do have a breakdown we will assist you in any way possible.
Ensure your car's brakes are working perfectly (rotors, piston seals, brake pads, brake fluid etc. all okay).
Tires with minimum tread of 4/32 inches. If your tread depth is less than this, you will probably be hauled away some time during the day on a tow truck and regret it for a long time. A randomly selected group of cars will be inspected to ensure their tires meet this requirement.
Check air pressure in each tire to ensure it meets minimum requirements for your car. Inflate to higher pressure depending on your driving style.
Make sure your spare tire is inflated to proper pressure. Most people forget to do this.
Torque lug nuts at recommended rate.
Bring cash for eating out. Restaurants in rural areas usually do not accept credit cards or personal checks.
Get a good night of rest the night before. With a challenging road course, your attention level needs to be at the highest level possible.

REQUIRED - WHILE DRIVING
PLEASE HELP THE TOURMASTER KEEP THE RAGING BULL TEXAS STAMPEDE A SAFE DRIVING EVENT FOR EVERYONE.
IF YOU OBSERVE ANYONE PUT YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE IN DANGER DURING THE DRIVE, PLEASE REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

THE TOURMASTER WILL HAVE A DISCREET AND APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION WITH THE REPORTED DRIVER(S).
NEVER overtake the Tourmaster's car unless you have been given verbal permission.

THE FOUR MOST IMPORTANT DRIVING RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
#19                         Ride the Bull at a safe pace
#20                         Maintain a safe and reasonable distance
#21                         Lane discipline
#22 through #27     Safe passing/overtaking
RIDE THE RAGING BULL AT YOUR OWN SAFE PACE!
Don't try to push or keep up with faster drivers. There will ALWAYS be faster riders than you. Don't try to be King of the Hill. It's not worth it. Be a responsible driver: Know your limits. Know the limits of your car. And stay well within them.

The Raging Bull Texas Stampede IS NOT A RACE.
Racing is to be done on closed tracks. The Stampede is held on public roads. Therefore, racing and trying to keep up with or pass faster drivers has no place on public roads. Floyd S., a veteran Bull Rider, summed it up accurately when he said that the spirit of the Stampede was "...the overall feeling of camaraderie through the group... the bonding of everyone there to work together and complete the Stampede... No one goes to show who's the best driver, who has the fastest car, who has the most mods. We all go to enjoy our cars for their purpose: to be driven."

You will not get left behind.
The group will stop to regroup at nearly every turn (especially the ones that are easy to miss). It is rare for the group to wait more than a minute or two even for the slower drivers. The Tourmaster will not continue until he gets confirmation that the last car has turned.

Position yourself in the right place in the Stampede
Each driver feels comfortable driving at a different pace. If you are comfortable with the pace of the leading group, stay there. If you like driving at or below the speed limit and enjoy the scenery, stay towards the back of the group. The rest should position themselves between the leading group and the tail group.
MAINTAIN A SAFE A REASONABLE DISTANCE between your car and the car in front of you. Follow the 2-second rule: Identify a marker along the road you are driving on. Your car should pass that marker no sooner than 2 seconds after the car in front of you passes that marker. If it is less than 2 seconds, you are driving too close to the car in front of you. Adequate distance between your car and the one in front of you will give you time to safely and properly respond to road hazards ahead. It will also help avoid damaging your car's paint finish by road debris thrown by the car in front of you. Be particularly careful to leave adequate space as you approach cattleguards where the car in front of you may slow down unexpectedly.
LANE DISCIPLINE: STAY IN THE CENTER OF YOUR LANE.
Don't EVER cross the yellow (center) line (except when passing another car).
Don't EVER cross the white line (if there is one) on the right edge of the road.
Stay in the center of your lane especially driving through curves and tight corners.
1. IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
2. Even when you have a clear line of sight through a turn, stay to the right of the centerline and to the left of the white line.
3. When you cross the centerline or white line, you are putting yourself, your fellow drivers, and the traveling public in grave danger. By crossing the yellow centerline, you and your vehicle are at risk of colliding with oncoming traffic. By crossing the white line on the right edge of the road (or by driving on the non-asphalt surface), you risk losing control of your car (due to lack of adequate traction and/or inferior surface quality)
4. When you cross the centerline or white line in curves, it is a sign that you are driving too fast.
5. Public roads are not a track and no place to be apexing in the corners.
6. Staying on the right side of the centerline is much more challenging than simply straightening out every corner.
7. When the whole group is committed to this intelligent practice, the temptation to cheat is eliminated through peer pressure and logic.
8. Always stay in the center of your lane, except to avoid specific visible obstacles on the road. Do NOT apex even within your own lane (see next bullet).
9. Staying in the center of your lane will give you equal space (i.e. protection) against gravel and other road debris to your right and oncoming traffic crossing the centerline to your left.
10. Road debris and dust usually accumulate on or near the centerline (because it is the least traveled area of the road). Driving on or near the centerline will pick up and throw debris to the car(s) behind you.
11. Staying in the center of your lane will also help you avoid hitting roadkill which is more likely to be on or near the centerline.
12. Road debris and dust also accumulate on or near the right edge of the road. Driving on or near the right edge of the road will pick up and throw debris to the car(s) behind you.
PASSING/OVERTAKING: You may pass other Bull Riders as you wish, but only if it is safe to do so. Passing other cars can be lots of fun, but do not take any unnecessary risks to do so. The points below should already be known to all. However, given the Tourmaster's experience, their importance requires repeating:
1. NEVER, EVER attempt to pass another Bull Rider approaching a hilltop (which is virtually always a double center line i.e. a no-passing zone).
  IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
2. Try to pass on long straights when there is maximum visibility of potential traffic ahead. Do not attempt to pass unless you have visual confirmation that there is no oncoming traffic.
3. ALWAYS look in your mirrors to make sure someone else is not trying to pass you already (otherwise you may run into them or run them off of the road!)
4. ALWAYS use your car's turn signals (more on this below)
5. Try to leave as much distance as possible AFTER you pass so that your car doesn't spew the car behind you with rocks or debris from your car's tires.
6. PLAN to have adequate space in front of the other car AFTER you pass it. DO NOT assume the car you plan to pass will or can make room for your car after you pass it. DO NOT force it to brake to let you in front of it. You will be placing everyone nearby in needless danger.
  IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
7. NEVER attempt to pass another car when someone else is already in the process of passing other cars behind you (it compounds the risks to everyone nearby). The car already in the process of passing cars behind you has planned its move. Wait until he/she is done with his/her pass before you begin yours.
  IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
8. NEVER pass another car on a curve.
  IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
If you get stuck behind a slow-moving local driver, don't tailgate or intimidate them in any way. Don't pass them at the risk of putting them in danger. Wait patiently until it is safe to pass. Follow the applicable rules listed in this section, especially the next rule. Remember: If we upset the locals, they will complain to LEOs, which can only result in stricter speed enforcement.
RADIO-ASSISTED PASSING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
1. DO NOT rely on road and trafffic information provided via radios to pass cars in front of you
2. DO NOT attempt to pass unless you have visual confirmation that there is no oncoming traffic.
3. DO NOT provide road and traffic information via radios with the intent of facilitating this practice
4. DO NOT encourage anyone to pass cars using information provided via radio messages
5. IF ANYONE COMMITS THIS OFFENSE, REPORT THEM TO THE TOURMASTER. YOUR ACTION MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.
If you want to pass a Stampede car in front of you BUT the road does not allow for a quick and easy passing:
1. DO NOT tailgate or intimidate the car in any way,
2. Turn on your left-turn signal to indicate to the driver in front of you of your desire to pass him/her
3. Wait PATIENTLY for the driver to:
  1- give his/her right turn signal,
  2- slow down 5-10 mph, and
  3- move towards the right edge of the road to let you pass at the next straight (or convenient) section of highway.
  
  DO NOT PASS UNLESS THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF YOU HAS TURNED ON THEIR RIGHT-TURN SIGNAL.
4. If the driver in front of you is unresponsive for a long time, signal the driver with two short and quick high beams (or communicate your intention to pass via your radio)
5. Once the driver in front of you has executed the three steps listed above, proceed to pass the car quickly (if the conditions are safe)
Check your mirrors for cars approaching you from behind. If a car has caught up with you, it is probably faster than you and might want to pass.
If a car behind you has its left-turn signal on, it is signalling its desire to pass your car. In this case, do the following:
1. During the next straight (or convenient) section of highway, communicate your permission to let the car pass you by turning on your car's right-turn signal
2. To allow the car to pass you more quickly, reduce your car's speed a little (about 5-10 mph) and move your car toward the right edge of the road (to give the passing car more room and forward visibility).
3. Make sure no other cars are in the process of passing your car.
4. After the car(s) has passed your car, cancel your car's turn signal, move your car back to the center of the lane, and resume driving at the speed you feel comfortable with.
No drifting, drafting, close-following, tailgating, and sliding will be tolerated by the Tourmaster.
Our goal should be to be as low-key as possible while driving through or dining at the small towns along our route. PLEASE do NOT rev your engines, do burn-outs or make any other unnecessary noises that will be perceived as disturbing the peace. Doing so will only attract unwanted attention from LEOs.
Fill up your car with gas well in advance of running out during one of the planned breaks. There will be sufficient number of breaks to get gas throughout the day. Don't wait until you're close to running out of gas before you decide to get gas; you may not make it to the next break location.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Prepare your car's engine for a long and hard run:
- Lubrication: Change your oil and filter (if your car is close to needing service)
- Air Flow: Clean your air filter(s)
- Cooling System: Top off your system; after warm-up, inspect your coolant reservoir and fill if necessary
Install a bra on the front nose of your car. Most of the cars running in the Stampede have sticky tires which lift and shoot back small rocks and pebbles on the road surface to the cars running behind them. A car bra is particularly advised to those drivers who can't or don't want to leave large gaps between their car and the car in front of them.
Have a person sitting in the passenger seat to assist as Navigator.
Bring a cell phone.
Give your cell phone number to the Tourmaster to assist in locating you if necessary.
Secure (or remove) all loose material from your car that can become airborne, fly, or slide around during sharp turning or heavy braking. This will minimize chances of driver distraction.
Have a fire extinguisher in your car.
Have a First Aid kit in your car.
Bring with you some bottled water, sunscreen, cold-weather clothing, and wet-weather clothing.

SUGGESTED COURTESIES
Plan to be at the starting point a little early so that we can leave on time.
Radio communications: If you are in the middle of the train, pass on messages to the back of the group by repeating the message.
PLEASE try to be very friendly when driving through small towns. A simple wave to locals you come in eye contact with will make a big difference in their perception of us.
If you see a dead animal (road kill) on the road, alert your fellow tourists using your radio if you have one.

THINGS TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
A follow-up to the point made above about staying in your lane: You need to do it, but even that may not be enough to keep you safe. Out in the country, the folks who drive pick-up trucks often don't stay in their OWN lane. The lane is barely wide enough to fit their oversized pick-ups to start with. It is not uncommon for these trucks to cut corners and come around a blind corner while being several feet in YOUR lane, with a loaded trailer in tow (which is even wider than the truck). Driver beware!
Many portions of the routes are technical and require proficient skill at handling tight curves, blind curves, and elevation changes.
Watch for cattle on or on the side of the road. We will be going through some running ranches. Cows are very stupid animals, especially the young ones. They like standing on the road because it is usually the high point of the area. Must make them feel like they are King of the Hill. Don't assume they will move away when you approach them in a speeding car. They won't. Slow down to nearly a stop and go around them very cautiously. Alert your fellow tourists using your radio.
Watch for deer crossing the road. Slow down immediately. They tend to run into cars, not around them. Alert your fellow tourists using your radio.
Watch for dead animals (road kill) in the middle of the road. Drive around them, not over them. Alert your fellow tourists using your radio.
Watch for buzzards (they look like vultures) feeding on dead animals in the middle of the road. Don't assume they will just fly away as you approach. Buzzards are very large birds and have a surprisingly slow rate of ascent. They also tend to fly toward the car as they try to fly away. Slow down quickly and give the bird a chance to fly away. Otherwise they WILL hit your car and cause SIGNIFICANT body and window damage.
Be cautious, especially if your car has lowered suspension, driving over dips which usually exist over creeks. If you fear your car may bottom out, slow down well in advance to reduce the compression of your car's suspension.
Be careful driving over dips. Follow the method explained by the Tourmaster to smooth out the drive over dips. This method also applies to driving over cattleguards.
Be careful driving over bridges on rural roads. The beginning and end of bridges may have strong bumps. Slow down well in advance and release compression on your suspension to minimize the effects on your car.
Watch for steep drop-offs (areas of broken off or missing asphalt) on the edge of the road, especially on curves. They can cause wheel damage and even cause you to drive off the road.

WHILE RIDING THE RAGING BULL
Go around and introduce yourself to everyone.
Take photos and/or video (make sure your navigator does this during driving).
If the traffic light turns red, STOP. Don't worry about the group getting separated. That is probably going to happen anyway. Most of the time you will manage to catch up in a matter of a few minutes.
Sometimes it will be necessary for the whole group to stop on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. The Tourmaster will try to do this at the most convenient spot available at the time. If this happens, pull off the road as much as possible to clear the main road for traffic. However, in the case of extreme drought conditions in which the ground cover is very dry and prone to catch fire easily, please avoid parking your car over tall grass as your hot exhaust system may start a grass fire.

AFTER THE STAMPEDE
Develop your photos and video of the Stampede and email them to the Tourmaster so he can put them on the web site for everyone to see.
Write an article for your local club's newsletter.