As someone who spends more time working corners than racing, I'm apalled at the idea of charging folks to volunteer. [/b]
I too am appalled. I realize there is "some" justification in charging in order to obtain insurance coverage on workers as not all events are "spectator" events.
I have worked 2 races and a hillclimb this year. plus a test day. I stood in the rain on Saturday at Barber and broiled in the sun Sunday. In return I received a lunch and some $$$ but not nearly enough to cover my fuel and hotel bill for the weekend as it is a 2 hour drive to the track.
Worked the Labor day race at Nashville plus the test day. They covered my room for one night as I drove home after the test day (another two hour trip). My expenses were still not covered but so what, I had fun and got to see some good close racing. Long ago (circa 1975) I worked several races at RA as a "quack." I was damn glad to get anything in the way of compensation. I still had fun and got to see some incredible racing, especially the IMSA races.
I don't want to sound like a whiner, but as a racer I see the need for workers. I don't get to go play and have fun if there are not workers. This policy effectively cuts off the ability to use volunteer, NON-member workers as a means of recruitment. Heck, we have a couple of people in our region that hold National licenses in F & C and as a scrutineer. Neither of them race these days!
The bottom line to this question is why has it been decreed that we must charge $5.00 for temporary memberships when in the past we could sign someone up for a temporary 90 membership that would provide them insurance coverage. Now we MUST send in the $ to national. Don't tell me it is just for the insurance coverage as that is just an attempt to justify the fee.
The second question is what is being done to recruit/retain/compensate workers in your region? I am looking for more ways to try and keep our worker pool alive.
Paul Ballance
Tennessee Valley Region (yeah it's in Alabama)
ITS '72
1972 240Z
"Experience is what you get when you're expecting something else." unknown
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