My first worker experience at Mid Ohio, now with 100% more photos.

I ended up working in a safety vehicle, Rope-Tow 1. We towed damaged/stalled vehicles off the track and back to their paddock if they could roll, vs the tow truck and roll back for more dicey incidents. I geeked out listening to the day's radio calls and coordination of people/vehicles. Loved it.

This was my office all day Saturday and Sunday. Air conditioned and a roof for rain, it sure beats chasing cones in the heat.

Here we had just hooked up to a car that limped into the pit lane, but before we could leave they started the next group so we held till clear inside the truck. Then I realized I still had my phone and managed a quick shot. Love carrying a decent "camera" at all times.

But it wasn't all work. Since we had plenty of down time my mentor gave me free reign to jump out and photograph from our area (the end of the carousel near pit-in). I took many (MANY) photos of races and especially friends, and had a chance to grab shots of them staging at the false grid. Here's a Spec Miata friend being told to go fast, and turn left AND right when necessary.

Formula cars were fun to watch.

The IT group was always fun to watch, they kept it close sometimes. I knew a handful of them and met a few more during the weekend, made for some good racing.

Me looking all official. See, I have the radio and everything. (Should have seen the white shirt and white pants the day before.)

How would i sign up to do this? I think roebling is my closest track. Can't afford to race at the moment but would LOVE to be involved again.

How a 1g CRX can race that close and still have intact fenders and lower door panels is beyond me..

Looks like a pretty fun day.

That's awesome--and thanks for sharing.

Timeormoney wrote: How would i sign up to do this? I think roebling is my closest track. Can't afford to race at the moment but would LOVE to be involved again.

As an SCCA member, all I had to do was show up and say "hey I want to work". I preregistered on motorsportreg.com as a worker just in case, and signed in at registration when I got there. Just so happened that the guy working registration was the guy that was in charge of the truck (chief steward of something, I forget). The safety crew is different at Mid Ohio apparently, they use some of their own staff (medic, wrecker, safety vehicle).

I would contact the region nearest Roebling and say you want to volunteer. I had a blast.

If it weren't for volunteers like you, there wouldn't be club racingm. A bit THANK YOU to you and all the other workers. I always tried to make sure to wave on cool down laps to everyone.

In reply to CGLockRacer:

All the drivers treated the workers great. We got free lunches both days, everyone got free food and beer Saturday night. And they had a big raffle for the workers Saturday night, I won a $50 Best Buy gift card. That was half my hotel bill...

I've tried to do this several times with N.A.S.A but work has always decided my plans were not as important as their profits.

Jerry wrote: In reply to CGLockRacer: All the drivers treated the workers great. We got free lunches both days, everyone got free food and beer Saturday night. And they had a big raffle for the workers Saturday night, I won a $50 Best Buy gift card. That was half my hotel bill...

You sold me. Next time you do it, let me know, I'll tag along.

In 18 months when I retire from the Guard I would like to start doing that.

In reply to beans:

Next event I know of at Mid Ohio is mid October. Planning on going, but it's the weekend after Rallycross Nationals. Oof.

Here are the next three club events:

Historic Sportscar Racing September 19 - 21

Great Lakes Region NASA October 3 - 5

Ohio Valley Region SCCA October 10 - 12

Good times Jerry. I've been doing some events at COTA and I really enjoy it as well. It's the best seat in the house especially for the pro events. I get to work the Tudor/WEC event in a few weeks. I'm really excited about that.

I'm going to try and get some more in next year and hopefully work F1 next year.

cool will have to check it out. Anyone know if I can camp at Roebling? Then all i need is gas and I will definitely be there.