Autocrosses are volunteer based events!
Everyone who competes in an autocross event must also work. Work assignments vary. Most people will work somewhere out on the course, helping pick up downed cones, etc. However there are various other work assignments that exist (computer timer, announcer, spotter, starter, etc). Report for your work assignment as soon as you hear your group announced. The place to get work assignments will be announced in the drivers’ meeting. This will make for a speedy transition from group to group.
When you participate in an autocross, you are expected to be at your work post on time, and to perform your duties in full. We try to put a novice with an experienced driver on a station. For a little bonus instruction, ask your co-worker to talk about the techniques of the cars on course. Learn by watching the better drivers and faster cars for brake points, turn in positions and race line through turns.
Some Work Assignments & Descriptions:
Working Grid
If you are assigned to Grid, arrive to grid early and help cars park in the designated grid area with enough room to open car doors, store air tanks and other supplies safely between cars. Always park the 2-driver cars in one area then arrange all other cars by class. It is best to start with the 2-driver cars then run ½ of the single drivers followed by the second driver of the 2-driver cars before the remaining single driver cars. Repeat in the same order for each of the scheduled runs. Always give the drivers at least a 5 car warning before their turn to stage. When a timing trailer personnel approves a re-run, have that car wait for 5-10 cars before staging for their re-run. Also, keep entrance to staging area clear of spectators. Remember, your main responsibility is the safe movement of cars within grid/staging and to & from the grid area.
Working the Course
- Make sure your station has adequate supplies; extra pylons, fire extinguisher, radio and red flag. Know your area of responsibility.
- Make sure cones are in their proper place when you get to your station, and check them periodically during your shift. (All the cones on course are marked with a chalk box. If a cone gets knocked out of place, run to it quickly and safely, put it back in the box, and return back to your station.)
- When communicating with the spotter/timing trailer (Applicable to Corner Captains), hold the radio talk button down and speak clearly. Give your corner number, class & car number and cone count or DNF then repeat. Wait for conformation from the spotter.
- Pay attention to cars on course for accurate cone counts and most of all – your safety. It is best to watch the back of the car and the cones themselves to see the wobbling cone which may have left the box.
- Replace cones as soon as possible, another car will be coming through in as soon as 20 seconds.
- Be prepared for exposure to sun/rain, wind, heat/cold while on station. Keep red flag in your hand, unfurled (but not flapping) ready for immediate deployment and stay alert for unexpected pedestrians and vehicles.
- Understand the pylon rules, pointer cones do not count if hit, and a car is off-course (DNF for Did Not Finish) if they pass on the wrong side of a cone.
Dont’s
- Do not use cell phones or cameras while on station.
- Do not sit down and do not wander away from your post.
- Do not turn your back on cars on course. Safety First!
- Do not red flag a car unless it is an emergency. However, if in doubt, error on the side of safety!
- Do not litter
- Do not pick up hot parts dropped on course because of risk of burns.
Course Clean-up
Once all the timed runs and fun runs, if any, are complete, everyone helps clean up the course. This involves bringing in the radios, fire extinguishers and flags, cones and timing equipment, and storing them in the trailer. The pit and paddock area needs to be checked for trash. When everyone helps, this can be completed in fifteen to twenty minutes.