There is a local event coming up next month and unfortunately I can not afford to participate (due to paying for another event at the end of Jan and for the ITR Expo). I noticed that they were acting volunteers though and thought I might give it a try.

Basically, I'm wondering if anyone has done this? Any thoughts, tips, comments are welcome.

BTW, I did email the contact person for NASA FL, but I am awaiting a response.

Ali

 

I have flagged for a track day before and it's fine as long as the weather is decent. It was cold and snowing the day I did it. I was definately nervous about how to respond if there was a bad accident though. Luckily, there weren't any.

 

Yea weather shouldn't be too bad down here mid 70's during the day, with an occasional drop in the 60's

I kind of feel the same way about how I would respond as well. But i guess they will have a meeting where they will discuss what you should do and what not.

Thanks for the quick reply

Ali

 

occasional flagging makes you appretiate your full time flaggers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lo-Buck EF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">occasional flagging makes you appretiate your full time flaggers</TD></TR></TABLE>

It sure does! Don't forget to give your flaggera a or a on your in laps and out laps.

 

There are all kinds of positions that need volunteers on a typical NASA track days. Registration, grid, timing/scoring, impound, many of which do not require "emergency response".

I've done grid before. My car broke down so I offered up to volunteer. Got some free track time out of that too. It's worth it.

 

i've never done it but plan on doing it for next year. 2 weekends of volunteering gets u a free weekend on the track

 

Thanks again for the comments.

Well I got an email back from the contact person. They really don't have any volunteer positions. They said I can come out to the next event and see how things are but I need to pick an area of training where they need help and go with it.

They also do not offer worker/volunteer credit.

They need workers in these area's:
HPDE tech inspection assistants.
Grid Workers for the race division
Timing and scoring taper/runner
Pit lane/pit out marshal..assist at pit out.

And you will train under the Specialty Cheif. Also, you need to attend "nearly all events".

However, those trained for a staffing position get to go to events for a $100 a day.

I'm going to try it out and go from there. Anyone have any experience working in one of the positions I mentioned. I'm thinking of working in tech inspections.

Ali

 

i flagged at summit a bunch of times with carguys a few years ago. its definately a good learning experience. i always wave to flaggers. and if theres an insodent, i give them a wave so they know i see the flag (black, red, yellow, ect)
next season i think 'THANX WORKERS" will be on the back of the car

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lo-Buck EF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">next season i think 'THANX WORKERS" will be on the back of the car</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats awesome, I'm sure all the track workers/volunteers will appreciate that.

Ali

 

I volunteered at T-Hill, laguna, and infineon... Up close action and there was always free food.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civexspeedy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i've never done it but plan on doing it for next year. 2 weekends of volunteering gets u a free weekend on the track </TD></TR></TABLE>

damn. im going to look into that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr.E.G. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

damn. im going to look into that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

For those in the MIDWEST, OH/IN area, I posted this link a while ago about the volunteer/free track time program:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1913074

The responses were pretty overwhelming. Get on the list during offseason so your spot is guaranteed.

 

volunteering these events have always been really rewarding to me. I think of it as a thank you for all the times people have volunteered so i can drive. and its always nice when theres free track time as a reward

 

I will probably end up doing this a few times this summer.

 

Water and sunscreen for those summer events! I can't imagine how hot it can get out there under the sun all day as a volunteer, no matter what you're doing (unless its tech under a tent, but then you don't get to see all the action on track which is kind of a bummer I bet).