Rofl Gofaster.
We were typing for the toyota Sion, something like that.
Rip, definitly stupidity, never underestimate the IQ of a borred pilot. Now, as weird as it looks, it's easier to fly formation being close than far. It's also safer as everyone is less "sloppy". You also can keep an eye on everyone with the corner of your eyes.
Getting close, when it's not turbulent, is not hard either. It's like driving at 100 mph on the freeway and being side by side with an another car. You can gently pull on the side and get mirror to mirror, as your relative motion to him is very slow.