| Want to know how you can watch racing for | | | | and keep after it. However, just like becoming a |
| free? Its easy! Simply VOLUNTEER to become a | | | | race official for grassroots racing is relatively |
| race official or race team member! The first step | | | | easy, it can be the same for hooking up with a |
| to take is to decide whether you want to work | | | | local race team.As everyone knows how |
| on the race officiating side or help out with a race | | | | expensive even local-level racing can be, most |
| team. Next, it's just a matter of a little research, | | | | team members at this stage are volunteers |
| make a few phone calls or head out to the local | | | | anyway. They are usually family members or |
| track and then volunteer your time and services. | | | | friends who like racing and want to help out. If |
| Let's start first with becoming a race | | | | you don't currently know anyone on a race team, |
| official.Working The RacesAs you can imagine | | | | it might take you a little more effort. But it really |
| there's a lot of behind-the-scenes action taking | | | | won't be that difficult, especially if you have a |
| place to put on and orchestrate a successful and, | | | | positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm (some |
| most importantly, a safe race. As such, every | | | | mechanical skills won't hurt either).Your first step |
| time there is a race, armies of people are needed | | | | is essentially going to be heading out to whatever |
| to help out with all the various responsibilities. | | | | type of local racing track you'd like to be involved |
| Corner workers, starters, pit marshals, tech | | | | with, get a pit pass and then mingle around with |
| inspectors, race stewards, timers and registration | | | | some of the drivers and crews. Find someone |
| officials are just a few of the needed positions at | | | | that is pleasant and you enjoy talking with and |
| each race.On the grassroots level of racing, | | | | then simply volunteer to help out their race team |
| where there is usually racing activity going on | | | | in any way you can. What starts out as simply |
| most any weekend, local tracks and sanctioning | | | | cleaning off the car after each race may turn into |
| bodies can always use a motivated volunteer who | | | | working as a pit crew, mechanic, or other team |
| wants to help out. That's where you can step | | | | member down the road.The great thing about this |
| in.So what do you do? Just call or talk with | | | | arrangement is that normally there are no real |
| someone at your local track, racing club or racing | | | | strict commitments from either party. If you |
| association and let them know you want to | | | | can't make a few races during the season, then |
| volunteer to become a race official. Since they | | | | it's usually no big deal. Also, if at some point you |
| are primarily a volunteer force, the organization | | | | find another team you would rather work with, |
| should be readily set-up to accept new "blood" | | | | then you're not bound with the kind of contract |
| and move you through some training to get you | | | | issues like a paid team member might be.If you've |
| up and running.If you have a definite preference | | | | got the time and love being around race cars and |
| about what type of position you'd like to | | | | supporting a local racing team, then this is a great |
| volunteer for, let them know when you call. The | | | | way to go.Start Your Focal LocalSo you may |
| organization or club will probably have a | | | | have noticed a recurring theme throughout this |
| designated person for you to get in touch with | | | | article - THINK LOCAL. Your local track is the |
| who handles that particular specialty. Once you've | | | | heartbeat of grassroots racing in America and |
| hooked up with the right person, they should | | | | abroad. Whether you are going to be a racer, |
| arrange training for you at the next race or | | | | race official or race team member, start local. |
| event.If you are working with a group like the | | | | Support your local track, racing association and |
| Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), you'll actually | | | | teams and whatever type of racing you are |
| get a license that allows you to participate in | | | | looking to get involved with.This is where it all |
| SCCA evidence. The SCCA has a great program | | | | starts. Become a "pro" at whatever you do on |
| for getting interested folks involved in becoming | | | | the local level. A strong grassroots racing platform |
| race officials.Other organizations, like a local karting | | | | will produce the drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, |
| club may be less formal, but that doesn't mean | | | | etc... who will rise to the upper echelons of racing |
| the safety aspect is any less. Remember, as a | | | | and thus perpetuate and grow a strong healthy |
| race official, safety of the racers, crews and | | | | sport.Why is all this important? Because racing is |
| spectators is your primary concern. And in return | | | | important. It's one of the greatest activities a |
| for your services, you get "better than front row | | | | family can get involved with whether on the |
| seats" to great racing action, as well as the pride | | | | grassroots level or beyond. Also it is one of the |
| in having contributed to a well-run, safe, and | | | | most widely watched and sponsored sports in the |
| professional racing event.Race Team MemberYou | | | | world. As such, racing is a valuable component of |
| have seen them on TV - the pit crews jumping | | | | our economy. But probably most importantly is |
| over the wall to change tires and refuel, the crew | | | | that for the true racers and race fans, there is no |
| chiefs on the radio, or the guys in front of | | | | substitute! So let's keep it alive and support the |
| computers monitoring the telemetry coming off | | | | sport of racing we love and let's Go Racing |
| the race car. The road to becoming a paid | | | | Now!Larry Lenamon II |
| member of a NASCAR, Formula 1, IRL, or CART | | | | Your online resource for getting started in racing, |
| team is reserved for the relative few who make | | | | racing sponsorship, alternatives to racing |
| the long-term commitment, meet the right people | | | | sponsorship, racing schools, racing skills and more. |