Starter? Grid? Novice instructor?
During this past weekend’s event with the Martin Sports Car Club, we got to work the waiver station.
Where has this been all our life? We got to stand in the shade and welcome people to the site. “Hi, please sign and have a nice day.”
The rest of the day went well as we …
"Media"
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
Grid is my usual favorite. It makes the time go by quickly, and there's some social interaction.
One year at Nats, "grid" became "the person who hands out the times to the drivers." I had a Post-it pad and a pen. As people came off the course, I wrote down their times and handed it to them.
Talk about being present for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
I really enjoy the "starter" position. In everyday life I tend to be an introvert but for some reason when starting I try to provide a little encouragement to each driver (trying to not distract anyone that has their race face on), check to see how their day is going, see what they are struggling with on the course if anything, and being extra welcoming and encouraging to any new drivers or drivers from other regions, all while keeping tab of everything happening on course. It makes the time go very quickly.
Grid would be my second choice as it allows similar interaction at what is likely a better time to do so from the drivers perspective relative to the getting in the right mind frame to compete.
Tech Inspector. I get to check out all the cars (including seeing what cars I fit in for future reference) and then after the morning rush is over, I get to sit back and watch the other run group race.
Also, I have been trying my hand at Course Designer this year and last and I really have a blast, although my courses end up a tad extreme.
In reply to NickD :
Martin Sports Car Club requires all members to host an event, with duties usually including setup/teardown as well as course design. Not only does it help spread the load, but it gives you insight into what goes into an event, including course design.
Anywhere but the inside of the track.
My first assignment was inside a carousel (I don't know what you call it, like 80% of a circle), and after the first car I quickly realized I could get smooshed from both sides. It was terrifying. I repositioned myself pretty quickly after that.
In reply to Opti :
Yeah, that doesn't sound safe. Workers should never be placed in a dangerous position.
Timing. I like the pace, it's a good spot to watch the action from, and if it's not air conditioned, there's at least shade and a fan. :) If not that, send me out on course. Grid's frustrating at local events -- there's always two or three people who want to run at their own pace, rather than the event's.
Waiver control at OCCC is product of the site...since there are trees surrounding the site, half the course stations often have shade as well. Do waivers at Daytona, or the FIRM, or Lakeland, and you need the nylon tree if you want shade!
I was Chief of Tech for multiple years. Get there early, the cars run through tech, and I was done before the heat of the day.
Starter...I'm too old to run after cones any more. There should be an exemption for people over 70.
I usually try to work the same station as my dad, hanging out with him is half the fun. We usually try to go for a corner with a good overall view of the course so we can see what everyone else does at our trouble spots.
Funny how the most common thing mentioned here is that not being in the sun is good. Completely agree, and in SoCal, that's pretty much what killed off my interest in autocross... well that, and exchanging all day for three minutes of track time. I guess I just don't have the passion of others.
As a geezer + I seem to be a regular 'Lord of the Helmets' which suits me fine since my age caught up with my car number.
In reply to Warlock :
I'll be honest, I find timing too stressful. Yet I enjoy the pace of grid.
I did request morning waivers for the upcoming SCCA event at Daytona. Since the track's close, figure I can get there early and knock out my assignment.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:Starter...I'm too old to run after cones any more. There should be an exemption for people over 70.
I believe that our local groups allow people to "opt out" of worker assignments that involve running.
This is one of the main reasons I don't autocross more: I don't want to work; I want to drive. Thus, I do track weekends instead.
David S. Wallens said:DeadSkunk (Warren) said:Starter...I'm too old to run after cones any more. There should be an exemption for people over 70.
I believe that our local groups allow people to "opt out" of worker assignments that involve running.
Our region also has a selection on pre-registration for if you are physically not able to run, we will try and find you an assignment that doesn't require it.
David S. Wallens said:DeadSkunk (Warren) said:Starter...I'm too old to run after cones any more. There should be an exemption for people over 70.
I believe that our local groups allow people to "opt out" of worker assignments that involve running.
We used to have an 80yo gent that autocrossed with us. His assignment was basically be nice and talk to the spectators. IIRC he was pretty good at it.
Love working the slaloms!
In reply to Toyman! :
Every program needs an ambassador, right?
My favorite autocross worker assignment is Track Days.
I like to be the starter, but a shady corner station near the end of the course is fine too.
Timing. It has the best visibility of the real competition happening. Plus its the area where an experienced participant can make the biggest difference in the way the event flows.
I like being a corner worker, not a captain, just a worker. I like having my section of course that I am responsible for and that's it. I particularly like busy parts of the course where cones get hit frequently.
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