Optima Batteries Streetcar Invitational - Cone Workers Needed!

[derekf]

Folks, as part of P-T.com's sponsorship of this event, we need cone workers.

Folks who volunteer will get the best possible view of the event and an event t-shirt. You'll be able to get in to the event for free (you can, of course, bring a guest but they'll have to pay).

As a reminder, the event is on 8 November at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, NV.

If you think you'd want to volunteer to work the corners and help cheer on our boys out there, reply up here or send me a PM.

[WILWAXU]

I might be interested. Shoot me some details.

[derekf]

That's about it for what I know. I've never been to one of these types of events so I don't really know what a "cone worker" does, hopefully someone with experience could chime in?

[Norm Peterson]

You run out from your work station to reset cones that have been knocked over or slightly nudged out of position by the competitors. Cone locations should be marked with chalk/sheetrock/etc. for accurate re-spotting. The intent is for every run by every competitor to be able to follow precisely the same course.

Since you will be running out on a "hot" course (cars in motion at speed), you need to remain constantly aware that there will be another car on the way. Maybe even somebody horribly off-course. DO NOT assume that any competitor will see you or even be looking for you.

Some advice gleaned from drivers' meetings in Philly Region SCCA's version:

Have a cone (or cones, as sometimes two or more are "taken out") in your hand as you run out. Cars sometimes snag and drag the "downed" cone out of safe reach/return. Grab the downed cone after spotting the one you carried as applicable and as a safe amount of time before the next car arrives permits.

No sitting down, squatting, kneeling, etc. Working course does involve some risk, and does not permit that luxury.

No cameras or cell phones. Distractions are verboten. Fluids are OK and probably will be recommended.

Depending on the course layout and your station's responsibility, your group may have to spread out a bit. If the course "loops" through the same gates a second time, do not count on there being sufficient time to reset any cones hit by a competitor on the first pass through. Wait until after the second pass (and don't overlook the possibility of a third pass by somebody losing track of the course and how many times around the loop).


I'm assuming that there will be a "red flag" procedure for halting cars in the event of a spin or other stoppage, along with radio communications to report downed cones and the entry responsible. The person with the red flag also has the radio and normally does nothing else.


With any luck, these and perhaps other guidelines will be provided at the "drivers' meeting" (which all personnel on site should be attending, at least that's the SCCA requirement).


Norm

[derekf]

Thanks, Norm.

John, did that answer your question? I'm not sure how much additional information I can get.

[Norm Peterson]

Cone chasing is really an easy work assignment as long as you keep your wits about you and your head up. And as long as you have no medical/physical issues that would affect your ability to run.

I hope that I'm not scaring people away from volunteering here, but the safety aspects cannot be over-emphasized. I've seen some truly bonehead moves by both course workers and drivers.


Norm

[mpozzi]

Your course starter should always check to ensure that the course workers are in place and no one's running to get cones before they flag a car off. Course workers will hopefully be given radios and can communicate any cones or other questions to the timing staff. The person in charge of timing will usually let the starter know if the overlap is too short or about any other course management issues. It's basic teamwork.

Cheers and make sure I get lots of reruns ...
Mary Pozzi

[derekf]

Anyone interested/willing to do this?

[David Pozzi]

I hope we can get more members interested. It will be a front row seat watching cars you only read about in the magazines.
David

[mpozzi]

You'll have a pretty easy time when Penny runs the cones as I miss 'em by inches ...

Now Dave, on the other hand ... ask him about the air dam on the Shelby at Nationals.


Just kidding, dear.


Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[David Pozzi]

Next time I'm AIMING at the largest cone I can find...

[derekf]

Anyone?

[derekf]

Beuller?