Driver School is where individuals, through classroom instruction and track time, work to satisfy SCCA requirements to obtain an SCCA Novice permit, the first step in qualifying for a competition license for Club Racing.  But a Driver School is also a great opportunity for working any of the specialties that make any race event able to take place.  As part of the drivers’ training, they are introduced to a variety of track situations that can, and do, occur during a regular race event.  The drivers are then trained in what they should do to grid, follow pace car instructions and how to react appropriately to various corner flag signals and post race routines. 

Some of the situations that are created as part of the driver learning environment are not frequently seen at race events. These situations can be viewed by track worker volunteers as a chance for review in their particular specialty, an opportunity to train in a different specialty that they have an interest in or for someone who has, so far, been on the sidelines and has always wondered what is it like to work at the track.

Volunteer workers are what make any race event successful.  Specialty chiefs are always looking out for fresh faces and new recruits. The following are some brief descriptions of each specialty, along with contact information for the Regional Chief of each.

Registration: Friendly? Organized? The first people the drivers, workers and vendors meet are the Registrars.  They receive all of the entry forms and organize those entries for Timing and Scoring.  They prepare and collect all waivers, drivers’ packets and entry lists.  The Registrars also verify all appropriate credentials for event participants.  Please contact Karen Drum at kdrumregistrar@bellsouth.net or 704.827.7523 if you would like more information about being involved in Registration.

Scrutineering: Can’t pass a car without wanting to look under its hood? Scrutineers or Tech Inspectors get to do just that.  They are responsible for performing technical inspections on each car, for each event.  No car goes on the track without their approval.  Tech Inspectors are also the group that reviews damage to cars after incidents and do spot-checks during impounds to ensure compliance with car specifications or event rules.  Please contact Rick Henschel or Fred Clark at clarkfv@bellsouth.net or 904.731.7597 if you would like more information about being involved in Scrutineering.

Grid: Like to interact with the drivers? Grid Workers make sure that drivers are in the appropriate order for release on the track, have all the required personal safety equipment and have been known to lend a helping hand as the drivers get ready to go.  ‘Five minutes’ and ‘one and go’ are the phrases to know in their domain. 

Pit: Like to direct traffic?  Pit can be a busy place with cars and people during a race event.  Pit workers ensure the safety of the drivers and their crews and make sure that each car is ready to return to the track before it leaves Pit Lane.  They also direct cars into the paddock and back onto the track in a safe manner.  Please contact Ted Migchelbrink, RE, at tmigchelbrink@rocketmail.com if you would like more information about being involved on the Grid or Pit.

Starters: Like to be in the spotlight?  All eyes are on the Starter at the beginning and end of each race, but waving the green and the checker is only a small part of what Starters are responsible for doing.  They maintain lap counts and follow the race order by charting the race as well as act as a flag station.  Please contact Ted Migchelbrink, RE, at tmigchelbrink@rocketmail.com if you would like more information about being involved at Start.

Timing and Scoring:  Sharp-eyed? Computer savvy?  Timing and Scoring (T&S) workers produce all of the statistical information about an event.  They create the grid line-ups, record every car on every lap to establish running order, develop lap charts and produce results for all sessions.  There is both a human and a computer element to all race results – try your hand at either or both.  Please contact David Williams at 312.259.1946 if you would like more information about being involved in T&S.

Sound Control: Got a keen ear?  Sound control is responsible for logging sound readings on every car and making sure that they are in compliance.  In addition, Sound measures and records the changing atmospheric conditions during events because barometric pressure and humidity levels can affect sound readings.  Please contact Larry Buell at larrybuell@comcast.net or 904.264.4560 if you would like more information about being involved in Sound.

Flagging & Communications:  Want the best overall view of the race?  Flagging and Communication (F&C) is probably the most visible specialty, not only from sheer numbers, but also because the workers are more out in the open than other specialties.  Stationed strategically around the course, the white-clad F&C workers communicate with the drivers with brightly colored flags and hand signals.  They also communicate with the Operating Stewards via radio.  They are the first responders to any on-track incident and recommend the appropriate assistance to safely resolve the situation.  The communication component of F&C includes a main Communicator that is responsible for radio traffic between all specialties and the Operating Stewards, and a Logger that produces a written account of all radio communications. Please contact Bob DeLoatch at SCCA-Bob@comcast.net if you would like more information about being involved in F&C. 

Course Marshal: Ready to be towed what to do? (terrible pun, I know) The Course Marshals are responsible for ensuring that all safety equipment and vehicles are in place and ready to respond to an incident at a moment’s notice.  They are also responsible for picking up disabled vehicles during and after sessions as well as helping to clean up the mess that a driver gone wrong can make.  Please contact Lincoln (Ed) Buell if you would like more information about being involved as a Course Marshal.

Bobby Unser, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion and competitor in all forms of racing, once paid SCCA workers a great compliment, albeit an ironic one, when he said during a televised racing broadcast, “These SCCA workers may be volunteers, but they’re no amateurs. They’re as professional as anyone in the sport.”  Come be one of the few, the proud, the track volunteers!