Course Worker Stations

Grid Monster: The Grid Manager is responsible for keeping cars in line, drivers ready for their run and the safety of persons in the pit area. The Grid Manager should quickly check each occupant for properly secured helmet and seat belt. Every object in the cabin of the car should be secured. Soft drink cans, water bottles or anything that could lodge under a pedal or interfere with driver vision should be removed or secured. A quick visual inspection, and walk-around-the- vehicle, may reveal a problem that can be fixed quickly, avoiding a “RED FLAG” on the course or a disappointing run for the driver. Primary responsibility for vehicle and driver safety and equipment is the driver’s. This final check is only for anything that may have been overlooked. The Grid Manager is also responsible for launching each vehicle and during a run is responsible as course worker for the N.E. corner. Grid should make sure the starter is displaying a green flag before launch.

Starter: The starter is responsible for the overall safety of the course and course workers. The starter must keep track of laps in multi-lap runs, indicating lap number to the driver and finally displaying the checkered flag as the driver crosses the finish line. Starters should survey the entire course regularly before, during and after each driver’s run to assess the safety of the driver, vehicle, course workers and the course conditions. Any significant question of safety should be resolved in favor of prevention of injury or damage. In the event the starter or any other course worker “RED FLAGS” a vehicle, a determination should be made as to whether the driver is entitled to a substitute run.

Timing: Each run is timed automatically or by manual stopwatch and the official time recorded by the timekeeper. Official elapsed time is reported to the leaderboard operator, noting and including accrued penalties, after each run.

Gate: The gate worker is responsible for controlling traffic entering and exiting the site and safety of the course in the area of the gate. The gate worker should maintain awareness of anyone approaching the entrance to the course and check and replace cones as needed.

Gate, Corner And Bleacher Work Stations: Every station is responsible for safety of drivers and workers. A cone lodged in a wheel well, fluids expelled from a vehicle onto the surface, vehicle parts not adequately secured or being deposited onto the surface are all substantial reasons to “RED FLAG” a driver. Any driver endangering his or her self or any course worker should be “RED FLAGGED” Workers are responsible for cones moved or upset, in their area, during and between runs. Cones should be reset during a run, but only if it is safe to do so. Close attention should be paid to cones on both side of each vehicle to avoid CONE CREEP (where cones are nudged a little on successive passes.) The course is a fair test only if cones remain in their intended positions for every lap of every run. Each course worker is responsible for calling in penalty cones, from their area only, to the Timekeeper as soon as practicable after the cone(s) are replaced.

And Finally: Working the course can be a rewarding experience. It is also serious business. RSCC endeavors to provide a safe and fair environment for autocross. The diligence of volunteer course workers is the key to a successful event. It’s a GOLDEN RULE thing. Every driver relies on the course workers for his or her safety and maintaining a level playing field.

Observing vehicles and drivers from workstations is encouraged. It’s a great way to learn about the course and get an idea how other drivers are approaching course problems, but please focus your attention on the task when working the course. There will be plenty of time to go to a station and observe, when you are not working, during the day. If everyone working and driving focuses on the task at hand, we will have a safe and successful event. Thank you for volunteering.