I was driving my truck last year and was responsible for support, so I was the last one to leave the staging area with a few tools, a tow bar, gasoline and other misc. stuff. I lost the group virtually right out of the gate and was no use to anyone. Fortunately, I don't believe anyone needed any help.
One suggestion I would make is that nobody leave the staging area until everyone is in their cars and ready to leave. There are always people who need to make a last minute potty visit and need a little more time, especially when they find that the bathrooms are locked, like last year.
Otherwise, I don't know what the solution is to keeping everyone together.