I've got just one suggestion. Worker track day. They would get alot more
workers.
Kirk
"Grantz, Sherry" wrote:
> In the interest of not chasing off people who want to give working a try
> before they even get out there once to judge for themselves, I have to make
> some comments about workers:
>
> (if you're looking for autocross content, just delete this; however, I will
> mention Sylvester Stallone and you can guess about the pro sanctioning body
> involved) --
>
> >
> > Message text written by INTERNET:Smokerbros@aol.com
> >
> > "They'll gladly train more people, too. I was pretty amazed
> > at the lack of roadrace workers...
> >
> > Charlie"
> > - -------------------- End Original Message --------------------
> > Date: Tue, 8 May 2001 12:39:29 -0400
> > From: John Kelly <76067.1750@compuserve.com>
>
> > The "lack" relates to many, many factors, IMHO.
> >
> > 1) Many past race workers developed a thought they
> > are second class
> > citizens. Only in recent years has SF Region begun an
> > aggressive worker
> > appreciation program. At most after-race social gatherings,
> > where most race
> > workers finally have a chance to get together, rare is the
> > appearance of
> > any racing drivers to share the weekend's experience.
>
> I've only been to two socials - and they were both neck deep in drivers
> (maybe more so at Laguna). But it's not like they're people I'm going to get
> autographs from - I suppose it's nice they show up, but it wouldn't affect
> my feelings about whether I wanted to work or not.
>
> > 2) Even most of the region's Board of Directors don't show up.
> > Their collective sense of "noblese oblige" is rather poor.
> > But then there
> > have been a few BoD members who only show up at races when
> > they happen to
> > be driving, otherwise they stay home.
> > 3) This past weekend I counted five of the seven BoD
> > members on
> > hand. This represents a major step forward.
>
> I really think that was a while back. Yeah, 5 of the 7 were there; no wait,
> I think Leslie was still out working during the socials and didn't make it.
> The two road races I've been to, most of the BOD come by during lunch and
> for the social and are either racing, working or doing both during the day.
>
> > 4) Then there's the schedule. Some race workers,
> > notably Emergency,
> > find they are committed to over 24 two-day weekends as the
> > region trades
> > race working for race dates. Doubt if you'll see any licensed
> > racer working
> > a pro race so he can drive in his club race the following
> > weekend. (Ian
> > Cook is the ONLY guy I've ever seen do it. That's one.)
>
> Yeah - this year I think it's only (!!) 16 weekends. I do wonder why people
> do this.
>
> And Ian's just different - he goes all over the globe to work the CART
> races, too. Which by the way is one reason people are SCCA workers - they
> can go to any professional race in the country that uses volunteer workers
> and be right out on course with drivers they would like to get autographs
> from.
>
> > 6) The attitude of one particular pro race
> > sanctioning body toward
> > race workers is appalling, to the point they ordered porta
> > potties removed
> > from some Laguna Seca turns because they wouldn't look good
> > on TV. And then
> > they required everybody start at 7:30 a.m. each day, no lunch
> > break, and
> > the day finally ended 5 ish. OSHA wouldn't allow this kind of
> > stuff. And
> > neither would any labor union worthy of its name.
> >
>
> But remember how special this sanctioning body is!! They've made a movie
> with Sylvester Stallone!!! And they aren't noted for their concern about
> anyone. Even their drivers walked out on them a couple weeks ago at Texas.
>
> > That should give a few clues on what needs to be done
> > to revive the
> > region's race worker program. A key problem will be when the
> > next worker
> > crop finds out some other race sanctioning bodies PAY MONEY for their
> > services.
> >
> > - --John Kelly
>
> Yeah, SCCA workers in SFR are wacky, I've sure noticed that. They put in 8
> hour days for free and think they're having a good time. Guess they really
> like racing, or maybe spending the weekends camping with friends and hanging
> out at the racetrack all day. What I do hear a lot is they are really proud
> of their performance, have a reputation throughout the country as being the
> best, and would rather work jillions of days a year than to give up a race
> to one of those paid worker groups. Some of it I understand, some of it I
> don't. But working's not all a bad deal - although I'm beginning to realize
> I have a lot more patience and am a lot dumber than a lot of other people -
> I actually enjoy working these races - even if it's hard work and you have
> to get up before dawn!!
>
> Sherry
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