TERMS

In order to interact smoothly and drive safely, there are specific terms and conditions which are required for all members awareness and commitment. It is the commitment and duty of all members to be respectful of the Club terms and conditions and one-another.

Marshal

A Marshal is a trusted member of DRC which has the required and needed skill sets to manage drivers’ during Club drives.

• Represents DRC in a professional manner;
• Willing and able to support and enforce safety rules in a responsible and trusted manner;
• Attends DRC drives regularly;
• Can take people to some interesting places;
• Deals with emergency situations as they occur and can get everybody back safely;
• Responsible for the convoy / drivers following him;
• Trusted and respected by DRC members;
• Ready and willing to be assigned to any role in our drives such as; leader, second leader, scout, side sweeper, tail sweeper, event host, and event assistant.

Leader

A leader is the event first car responsible for:

• Convoy observation;
• Safety of the convoy / drivers;
• Scout the route;
• Choosing the route according to the least driver’s skill set;
• Deciding the obstacle to cross according to the lowest vehicle performance;
• Leads the convoy throughout the desert;
• Considers the interval of breaks according to the level of the drive.

Second Leader

A second leader is car number 2 in the convoy in which they are responsible for the leader tracks and to act as follows:

• A very valuable position. For advanced drives, night drives, rocky drives a second lead gives the lead marshal the freedom to check the route before bringing along the entire convoy;
• Responding to the leader instructions;
• Choose a different route in case the leader passing by difficult obstacle which may put the convoy behind at risk;
• Wait for the leader to pass the obstacles to join his track;
• In some cases, the leader has less experience (under evaluation period) from the second leader and might be not able to evaluate the risks and levels of the drivers in the convoy, then in this case, the second leader should change the track / route as much as necessary to ensure safety measures and join back later on.

Scout

A scout is one of the Marshals and responsible for:

• Driving ahead of the convoy with a minimum of 200 meters distance;
• Assists in opening and creating the track / route for his leader;
• Creating new routes;
• Exploring the remote areas in the country.

Side Sweeper

A side sweeper is:

• The only car that drives freely on the sides of the convoy to observe and make sure that everything is going well and smoothly;
• The first one to arrive to any car facing any problem for assistance;
• The one to ask for help from Marshals / Trusted Members from the Club according to the situation;
• Ensures that there is no one left behind;
• Moves over to prevent non-convoy cars interfering with the convoy to allow safe passing;
• Warning the leader of any car passing / crossing.

Tail Sweeper

A tail sweeper is:

• The last car in the convoy who makes sure that the convoy is doing well;
• Ensures that there is no one left behind in case of long convoys or difficult obstacles crossing;
• Moves over to prevent non-convoy cars interfering with the convoy to allow safe passing;
• Warning the leader of any car passing / crossing.

Event Host

An event host is:

• One of the Marshals who arranges for different type of events for Club members;
• Can be any member of DRC, who presents a new idea of an event and how it is going to be achieved, participates in the preparation phase of the event (if there is any). After approving the idea of the event, it will be hosted under his name and led by one of the Marshals.

Event Assistant

• An event assistant post arises when there is not enough Marshals to help in any event. The available Marshal will choose his assistant on case by case basis according to the event attendees (number and level).

Members

• Is a subscribed member in DRC;
• Can propose events;
• Follows DRC on social media;
• Complies with the country public gatherings and environmental regulations;
• Treats fellow members with respect to their ethnicity, race, culture, gender and religion.
• Adheres to the drive guidance received from DRC seniors.

CONVOY RULES

The purpose of traveling in convoy is to improve your safety in transit. Travelling in a group will always be safer than travelling on your own. However as a group of individuals we need some guidelines to follow so that we are able to expect standard responses to common situations. Convoy procedures are a set of procedures that are intended to reduce risks and stress. Please keep this in mind at all times.

These rules are quite common among convoy protocol and applies to all drivers during any of the Dune Riders Club Drives:

Radio Communications

The Dune Riders Club Lead Vehicle ("Lead Vehicle" or "Trip Leader") will have direct radio contact with the sweep / marshals most of the time. With dusty roads, radio messages need to be relayed due to the extended gap between each vehicle.

Each vehicle on the trip has a call sign and all communications from a vehicle need to have its source clearly identified. For example “car 3 this is car 4~ do you copy”, response “car 3 copies” and then the message.

The convoy's designated VHF channel is 145.450 or if there is too much traffic an alternate channel can be designated by the trip leader.

Keep your radio messages brief and to the point.

General Rules

• Each vehicle has the responsibility to look after the vehicle behind. Always check by radio or visual to confirm that your travel companion is on the same track and in sight!
• On difficult terrain allow the vehicle in front of you to negotiate and complete the obstacle before attempting it with your vehicle.
• If you loose sight of the vehicle behind you call them up on the radio. If no response, call the Lead Vehicle advising your intention to stop to wait for the vehicle behind. All vehicles in front of you will slow or stop depending the Lead Vehicles advice.
• Pay attention to all directions from the Lead Vehicle particularly when given over the radio as this Vehicle will be in a position to advise of potential hazards and how to avoid them. This can include but not limited to rutted out tracks, steep cliff faces and water crossings etc
• There can only be one person in charge of our drives! You need to keep the Lead Vehicle informed of relevant information which will allow for decisions to be made efficiently and in the best interest of the drive participants.
• If your communication is out, flash your lights at the vehicle in front and this vehicle will be able to contact the Lead Vehicle by radio to stop the convoy. As sweep / marshal, your role at this point is to keep in contact with the Lead Vehicle when possible or the vehicle nearest to the Lead Vehicle so that your communication can be relayed to the lead vehicle if an incident were to happen or has happened.
• All vehicles should have head lights on. The vehicle in front will then be able to see your vehicle from a greater distance and be sure that the vehicle following is part of our convoy.
• Watch out for your travel companions as you will expect them to look out for you. This is a common courtesy, builds a sense of rapport and camaraderie.
• See and be SEEN!
• In recovery, the Trip Leader (the Lead Vehicle) or a marshal / person nominated by him / her should oversee any winching, snatching or towing and all bystanders should adhere to any directions issued by that marshal / person in the interest of personal safety.
• All vehicles on trips must be roadworthy and registered.
• It is also suggested that enough food, drink and clothing is carried for emergency supplies. Dune Riders Club does not supply food or water.
• When encountering GATES, ensure that they are left as they are found at all times. The trip leader must relay to the marshal / sweep as to whether the gate remains open or closed.
• Drivers are responsible for the behaviour of their passengers.
• The Trip Leader, if necessary, will determine vehicle positions in the convoy.
• No vehicle will leave or change position in the convoy without informing the trip leader. This is for safety and basic convoy protocol.
• In hazardous areas it is the responsibility of each driver to ensure that the previous vehicle has passed the hazard before they commence.
• Always maintain allocated position within the convoy except in unavoidable circumstances.
• There will be no intended reckless driving. To do so, puts other drivers and passengers in danger and you will be disbanded from the convoy.
• In the interest of environmental conservation, whilst in bush areas, vehicles are to keep to tracks that are already made. The Trip Leader will decide if necessary to leave the track in order to bypass a hazard.
• Reasonable attempts should be made to clear obstacles from the tracks. The Trip Leader shall decide if it is necessary to leave the track in order to bypass an obstacle.
• In the event of a recovery or accident, the trip leader, marshal or his nominee is in charge of the recovery.
• If you require the vehicle in front to stop, either flash your headlights on high beam or use the radio if the vehicle is out of sight. Should this occur, the Lead Vehicle is to be advised to keep the convoy together.
• Guiding of 4WD’s when required is to be done by the Trip Leader, Marshal or his nominee only. With respect, we ask that you do not interfere unless you are asked to do so. The Trip Leader will act on the concurrence of the driver of the vehicle they are to guide.

DISCLAIMER

SUPPORTERS

Many companies and organizations in Qatar have offered to be part of our community and offer our members special deals on their products and services.

Your membership ID Card gives you discounts at participating retail shops such as; camping equipment, auto-repair workshops, tire shops, radio shops, and more.

Various retailers in Doha support us and provide discounts to our members.

See below for a list of our current supporters