Member’s Corner
Events
A wide variety of events are available for members. Some, referred to as “Runs” are focused on entertaining or challenging roads. We try to avoid congested city streets or boring freeways in order to enjoy the power, acceleration, and superb handling of our sports cars on roads less traveled.
Some events are organized at closed tracks where enthusiastic drivers can enhance their skills with advanced lessons and/or stretch the limits of their ability with timed runs or competitive driving. These events are known as HPDE or High-Performance Driving Events. Usually taking place in the cooler months.
More events are sight-seeing, social, restaurants, parks, or Museums. A more complete list of our events can be found on Heylo. This includes Annual Car Shows such as the spring “Concours in the Hills” a huge charity event promoting the Phoenix Children's Hospital. Other including Veterans Day Parade, Holiday Party & Light Tour, Inde Motorsports Track Days, Boyce Thompson Arboretum Tour, Breakfast & Lunch meetings, and weekend excursions such as Devil’s Highway, Sonoita Wine Tour, and the Annual Route 66 Celebration.
Ideas for new events are welcomed from everyone. New and current members are encouraged to get involved by assisting with current activities or suggesting and hosting new ones.
Run Event Guidelines
Follow the “Rules of the Road” Use Common Sense and Be Courteous
❖ Arrive at the Start Point on time, with a full fuel tank, correct tire pressure, and a capable vehicle.
❖ If you have a two-way GMRS radio set, make sure it is fully charged, (Or carry spare batteries for those battery powered models) keep the antenna is vertical, and as high as possible. We normally set our radios to channel 3.
❖ If you are meeting the group enroute or leaving early, notify the Run Leader in advance.
❖ Pay close attention to the Run Leader during the Drivers Meeting, for last minute updates and instructions.
❖ The lead vehicle will set the pace, keep up, if possible, but not faster than your comfort level. Let those behind pass if necessary, and pass those in front going too slow, when safe and legal to do so.
❖ Keep the vehicle behind you in sight, not just the one in front.
❖ Our line of vehicles should not dominate the road, if others need to pass, let them.
CLUB EVENT WAIVER
Every driving event should have a signed waiver by all attendees. Click here for the form.
One driver will be designated as “Sweep” who will be the last car in line watching out for disabled or problem vehicles. The “Sweep” will be the only Miata with headlights on so the leader can make sure our group is all together, (unless traveling after dark). The sweep maintains radio contact with the leader or other drivers to relay messages as needed. The “Sweep” should also have the phone number of the leader in case radio contact is restricted.
How to Host an Event
All members are encouraged to volunteer to host an event that interests them, one that has been done in the past, or something new and different. New events are welcomed since they expand group experiences and interests. A Host can be one or multiple individuals, depending on the activity and its complexity. (Consider asking another member to co-host or help plan the event) Begin by contacting the Club Vice President and Events Coordinator at: vpevents@SahuaroMiataClub.com
You can discuss your Event/Idea with our Vice President & Event Coordinator. They will assist you to develop it, and post your event to Heylo. The more details you can provide the more professional your event will be. Who, What, Where, When, How & Good Photos, makes for an excellent Heylo write-up.
❖ Event/Activity Title
❖ Date, Time & Duration
❖ Location, Address, Route and/or Maps
❖ Highlights, Activities, Details
❖ Instructions; RSVP start and close dates, attendance limits if any
❖ Necessities, Hats, Water, Sunscreen, Apparel, Radios, etc.
❖ After the Event, submit a summary of highlights & photos if any, to our Facebook page and/or add pictures to the event in Heylo.
Send any run issues or suggestions to: vpevents@sahuaromiataclub.com
Remember, the more interesting you can make your event, the more people will want to participate. Tell them why you think it will be Fun, how much Fun they’ll have, and why they won’t want to miss it.
Radio Information
Many participants in recent Sahuaro Miata runs reported having great fun in communicating with each other on the road via radio/walkie talkies. Many radio models are hands free, so you can easily talk on the radio if you’re driving alone and they work even where there’s no cell phone service. The club Board feels it is a great idea for everyone who participates in our runs should own a handheld or car mounted unit.
There are many types of consumer radios/walkie talkies, most work on similar FM UHF frequencies.
• One is an FRS (Family Radio Service) radio. These are lower power (.5 watt) radios with a shorter range.
• The other is GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service). GMRS radios are more powerful providing a longer range.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) does require a license to transmit with GMRS radios, but no license is required to listen. However, compliance with the licensing requirement appears low. You can easily obtain a 10-year license for $35. Search the internet for "How to obtain a GMRS license." The club does not require you to have a license as it is your preference.
• There are also widely available hybrid GMRS/FRS radios. These should be set on low power (.5 watt) on FRS channels, but higher power for GMRS channels.
All FRS and combination GMRS/FRS radios can communicate with each other on FRS channels. So which brand and model should you buy? That is a matter of personal choice.
• A newer radio is the Baofeng UV-5G Plus. This comes highly recommended by several of our members, as well as the San Diego Miata Club. It costs less than the Motorola or Midland radios. 2 of them currently cost only $52 on Amazon. And a single radio is only $32. They are easy to use and have better transmit and receive range than most of the radios club members buy.
• Some of our members own Midland hybrid GMRS/FRS models such as the GXT1000VP4. It is also available in camouflage colors or with yellow accents (GXT1030VP4).
• One member recommends Motorola hybrid GMRS/FRS models (T400 or T460).
Please try to avoid cheap radios that use non rechargeable AAA or AA batteries. Their performance dramatically deteriorates as the batteries wear down.
These radios are widely available from many retailers. Amazon.com has some of the lowest prices. Except for the Baofeng UV-5G Plus (2 for $52, 1 for $32). This is slightly less expensive. Please check them out on Amazon!