Support Vehicles

For RAW 2019, we will have two support vehicles following all the way from Oceanside to Durango.  We will also have a third support vehicle join us at Time Station 6 in Congress (Congress Grocery), and support us through to Flagstaff.  All three vehicles will be qualified to be follow vehicles for direct-follow and leapfrog support with amber lights, a removable orange triangle, and official RAW signage.

At any particular time, each vehicle is assigned a particular role supporting the racer.  These roles are FOLLOW, SHADOW, and RELIEF.  In general we try to have one of the vehicles being the primary vehicle for each role so that we minimize the amount of stuff we have to transfer from car to car.  The crew are ready with "jump bags" of their essential stuff so they can quickly move from one car to another.  Each vehicle has a minimal set of feed, water, tools, and wheels to serve as FOLLOW for short periods of time without worrying about moving anything around.

	FOLLOW	SHADOW	RELIEF
RAW Rule	operating as "Follow Vehicle" providing "active support" "Direct Follow" or "Leapfrog" Mode	operating as an "Auxiliary Support Vehicle" per RAW Rules.	operating as an "Auxiliary Support Vehicle" per RAW Rules.
Role	FOLLOW provides active support of for Eric.  Active support can be either leapfrog support during daylight hours, or direct follow support at night or on required direct follow segments. When in leapfrog mode, we expect to be supporting Eric every 20-30 minutes, but adjusting this as he becomes more needy later in the race, or across the desert. No slowing to talk to the rider when in leapfrog mode. Only one vehicle can provide active support at a time. FOLLOW must have at least two crew members a with driver’s licenses at all time. FOLLOW can feed from the right side of the road at safe pullouts FOLLOW can feed on the roll from the left side of Eric only when in Direct-Follow and if it is safe to do so, does not obstruct traffic, and does not violate the yellow line.  During leapfrog support, Eric cannot be supported directly from the vehicle.	SHADOW has two primary jobs (1) run errands and allow the crew to take breaks, get meals, and relax with a little slower tempo, and (2) be ready to take over or come to the assistance of FOLLOW if there is a problem. SHADOW cannot provide "active support" and cannot pass the Eric more the 4 time per hour.   Generally, this means SHADOW will be leapfroging Eric, but much less frequently, and can drive ahead to the next town for provisioning and rest. SHADOW must take alternate routes on some sections, including Start-Borrego Springs and Congress-Camp Verde.  Details are in the route book. SHADOW needs to maintain communication with FOLLOW.  SHADOW needs to take care to standby only in locations with cell phone coverage. During direct-follow periods (7 pm - 7 am local time), and through the Northern AZ from Tuba City to the UT/CO state line, SHADOW should stay close and be ready to come to assistance as Eric cannot make progress without FOLLOW behind during direct-follow periods.  During direct-follow periods, SHADOW may be required to take over as FOLLOW briefly while FOLLOW gets gas or takes bio-breaks.   We have to closely coordinate that as Eric cannot make progress without FOLLOW. SHADOW needs to closely monitor the time sheet and expected arrivals of Eric and FOLLOW north of the SR 98 Jct. on US160 (TS10 + 40 miles) as we lose cell phone coverage.   We should get some cell phone coverage once we enter Monument  Valley (TS11 + 10 miles).  Our backup two-way radios may provide some communication FOLLOW-SHADOW during this period	When we have three vehicles, one will be assigned to RELIEF.  RELIEF will allow crew to take more extended breaks while we continue to keep both FOLLOW and SHADOW on the road supporting the RACER. RELIEF will head forward from Congress AZ via the alternate route to Camp Verde, check into the hotel and allow an extended break for crew until RACER arrives. Upon Eric's arrival in Camp Verde, Eric will take an extended break, and crew will exchange.  After Eric, FOLLOW, and SHADOW depart Camp Verde, they have about 6 hours before arriving in Flagstaff.  The crew that brought Eric into Camp Verde will rest at the hotel, then drive directly to Flagstaff in time to all meet up in TS 09 at the Flagstaff Walmart Supercenter.
Lights and Signs	ORANGE TRIANGLE DISPLAYED AMBERS ON  HEADLIGHTS ON FLASHERS ON	ORANGE TRIANGLE COVERED OR REMOVED AMBERS OFF HEADLIGHTS ON FLASHERS ON WHEN STOPPED NEAR TRAFFIC	ORANGE TRIANGLE COVERED OR REMOVED AMBERS OFF HEADLIGHTS ON FLASHERS ON WHEN STOPPED NEAR TRAFFIC
Start to Borrego Springs	FOLLOW stages in Betty's Lot with Eric one hour prior to start. FOLLOW starts with Eric, takes first turn onto Surfrider Way, then diverts and takes follow vehicle bypass to first feed on Old Castle Road via SR 76 and Gopher Canyon Rd. FOLLOW should fuel in Borrego.  Eric can ride unsupported or supported temporarily by SHADOW until FOLLOW returns.  We should still be in leapfrog mode. A specific staging lot at the Trading Post on Old Castle Road my be specified in the Route Book to wait in.	​ SHADOW stages in Betty's Lot with Eric one hour prior to start. SHADOW crew takes start photos, returns to SHADOW in Betty's lot and departs for Borrego Springs. SHADOW takes "All-Other-Support-Vehicle" bypass via I-5, SR78, CR S3 directly to Borrego Springs and TS 01.   SHADOW stocks supplies, ice, and fuels in Borrego Springs prior to Eric's arrival. A specific staging lot may be specified in the Route Book in Borrego Springs for SHADOW to wait in.
Congress ​	FOLLOW supports Eric into Congress	​ SHADOW goes ahead and meets RELIEF  in Congress. at TS-06.  SHADOW assists RELIEF in placing RAW signage, lights, and triangle on RELIEF. We anticipate the the cars being used for SHADOW and RELIEF may swap in Congress.	SHADOW goes ahead and meets RELIEF  in Congress. at TS-06.  SHADOW assists RELIEF in placing RAW signage, lights, and triangle on RELIEF. RELIEF contacts RAW Race HQ, requests inspection. After successful inspection, RELIEF joins crew.  We anticipate the the cars being used for SHADOW and RELIEF may swap in Congress.
Congress TS06 to Prescott TS07	FOLLOW supports Eric into Prescott Anticipate transition from leapfrog to direct follow support between Congress and Prescott	SHADOW stands by near Kirtland Valley Rd/CR15, supporting Eric and FOLLOW until Eric and FOLLOW passes Skull Valley.  If no contact in 1 h, SHADOW proceeds to Prescott After Eric passes Skull Valley, proceeds by alternate route from Kirtland Valley Rd/CR15 (Congress TS + 21.5 miles) on into Prescott AZ.	RELIEF is available to run errands or standby with SHADOW at Kirtland Valley Rd/CR15. RELIEF must take alternate route from Kirtland Valley Rd/CR15 (Congress TS + 21.5 miles) on into Prescott AZ.
Prescott TS07 to Camp Verde TS08	​FOLLOW supports Eric into Camp Verde. High speed technical nighttime descent through Jerome.  Need to insure best follow driver in on duty.	SHADOW stands by in Prescott near Fain Road junction until Eric passes Mingus Summit (Mile 471, TS07 + 25 miles) and begins the descent down Hull Canyon and through Jerome, then proceeds to Camp Verde (TS08) via the alternate route.​​  Estimated ride time US89A/Fain to Mingus Summit 1:10.	​ RELIEF goes ahead via alternate route and checks into hotel in Camp Verde with crew taking first break.
Camp Verde TS08 to Flagstaff TS09	Everyone regroups at the hotel in Camp Verde, with both SHADOW and RELIEF waiting for Eric and FOLLOW to  arrive.  500 miles done! FOLLOW changes driver and crew, supports Eric into Flagstaff.	SHADOW resumes supporting Eric and FOLLOW through Happy Jack and into Flagstaff as Auxiliary Vehicle.	RELIEF remains at Camp Verde hotel while second set of crew members rest.  RELIEF leaves approximately 4 hours after Eric departs Camp Verde and drives via I-10 Flagstaff TS-09 at the Walmart Supercenter. Alternate Route to Flagstaff
Tuba City to UT/CO State Line	Required daytime direct follow segment begins near Tuba City at US89/US160 Junction and continues to UT/CO State Line Cell phone coverage loss expected in several sections. End of required daytime direct follow segment is at unsigned State Line near Ismay Trading Post.	SHADOW must remain close and in communication with FOLLOW.  SHADOW should stand by only at locations with cell phone coverage and closely monitor expected arrival times.

GENERAL RULES:

• Must not impede traffic.  If traffic piles up behind, RACER and FOLLOW must pull off and let traffic by at first opportunity.
• Support RACER only from the right side of the road.
• Not stop in roadway.
• Stop five feet or more to the right edge of the road or fog line.
• Travel and pass at normal highway speed (except obviously when in direct follow mode)

PASSING WHEN IN DIRECT FOLLOW:
When the RACER and DIRECT FOLLOW vehicle encounter and pass another racer, we must take care not to caravan (travel with each other in a little convoy).  We need to crisply pass each other following the rules below:

• Racers must maintain 100’ spacing.
• Racer being passed must either speed up, or move to right, slow down and allow pass
• Passing racer and follow vehicles pass on left
• Racers may ride side by side for up to 15 minutes.  Only one of the rider's follow vehicle follows, the other must stop, or move up ahead and wait.