RX7Club.com - Mazda RX7 Forum - 2015 DGRR Atlanta Caravan NORTH (I-985, Exit 4)

The NORTH Atlanta caravan will be leaving Thursday morning, April 16th, 2015. The meeting spot will be at the Wal-Mart parking lot at Exit 4 off of I-985N starting at 10:30AM for those who want to stop in at Nantahala Village and check in, then go over the Dragon to Addicted Performance for the evening registration and activities.

We'll leave the north side of Atlanta around 11:00AM to destination of Nantahala Village, then regroup for drive over to Addicted Performance (U.S. Why 411S, Maryville TN 37801. So get all your supplies in the car and be ready to roll by then. Also Chevron Gas station is right there so gas up for the 120 mile drive. Also there is easy access to line up all the cars and get back onto interstate. Map link here:

Walmart Supercenter
Mill Creek Crossing Shopping Center
3795 Buford Drive
Buford, GA

One important communication item is a 2-way radio, set on channel 7, as there is minimal to no cell coverage up in the mountains.

Planned Route: Walmart Supercenter, Buford Drive, Buford, GA to Nantahala Mountain Villiage, Bryson City, NC

For those trailering their rotaries, just google directions from Gainesville, GA to Bryson City, NC. We can all caravan together as far as Franklin, NC, then those with trailers can split off to avoid all the curves.

I shouldn't have to write this here, but I have lots of experience caravaning and yes, we are all excited to get to our destination, but let's do it safely and don't leave anyone behind. We do not have to stay in the same line-up all the time, but keep the following in mind:

CARAVANING COURTESIES:
1. ALL vehicles, especially the 1st and last, should have a 2-way radio, set to channel 7. Double check communication before leaving the meeting spot.
2. The lead vehicle should have a passenger to help navigate.
3. The last vehicle should have a passenger or know where they are going.
4. All vehicles should never leave any other vehicle behind, at a stop light, etc. Slow down until the vehicle catches up, and communicate on 2-way to the group.
5. All vehicles should keep an eye on the vehicle behind them and slow down, if need be, that way we do not lose anyone.
6. If you need to pull over communicate via 2-way, or if it is an emergency, try to get the attention of vehicle in front of you and pull over, when they see you are missing, they will let everyone know to pull over and wait. Then we can decide if all need to come back to you, or just wait at another spot.

In general keep count of everyone and the lead vehicle should be aware that all is accounted for by getting info from the last vehicle.