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