 Without
volunteers, there are no events. Simple as that.
So, the WCRA truly appreciates the time and effort,
the skills and abilities that volunteer workers
bring to club activities. So, you think that you
would like to volunteer, eh?
Working an event is not nearly glamorous, really—just
ask around. There are times when it can be tedious
and boring, uncomfortable and even dangerous.
It is, however, almost always a great adventure,
and a lot of fun. You meet new and usually interesting
people, learn new skills, get to hang out with
people with similar interests, and hopefully are
made to feel "loved and wanted" by event
organizers. Competitors are your true and loyal
fans.
Workers come from very different backgrounds and
volunteer for many different reasons. Some volunteers
may have been pressed into service—they
may have just been too slow to say "no!"
Scooped up by an enthusiastic companion, they
find themselves parked in the dark, in the middle
of February trying to balance a clip board and
timing clock on their knees, their stomach rumbling,
their bladder full, they're wondering how they
ever got into this position. If you would like
a bit more information before you commit to work
an event---read on.
Some volunteers are actively involved in rallying
themselves. Rally cars may be resting in garages
awaiting repairs, or disposable income earmarked
for entry fees has evaporated. Drivers, co-drivers
and service crews take opportunities to support
events that they might otherwise enter. For other
volunteers, working an event is an opportunity
to learn about rallying from the inside out. People
often start out working an event before deciding
to become more involved in rallysport. Navigators
and drivers entering a competition are far better
informed about time controls, and rules and regulations,
having worked an event. There are those volunteers
who are no longer satisfied with spectating. They
want to be closer to the action and more actively
involved. Some volunteers are simply adventurous
souls looking for a new experience. I've got some
extra time; this looks interesting---what is this
rally stuff about? Family members and significant
others often show their support for their favourite
rally enthusiast by volunteering for events. They
may be "along for the ride" but working
truly beats the boredom of waiting and lets them
actively share in the adventure.
Performance events: Special stages, transits
and time controls
Whereas at
TSD events, the checkpoints are on the move, leapfrogging
ahead of the rally teams, at performance events,
such as Mt. Trials and the Pacific Forest Rally,
control crews and road marshals may stay put and
or move only short distances within the course of
the event. Whereas the cars in a TSD pass by a checkpoint
without stopping, at a performance event, the cars
start and end a stage, stopping at a timing control.
Control marshals count down the cars, starting them
usually at one-minute intervals and record their
times as they end the stage in a flying finish.
In a performance rally, the teams are attempting
to race against the clock. The driver drives as
fast as possible along an unfamiliar route as the
co-driver reads out the directions from tulips in
the route book. The fastest car finishing wins.
Marshals working performance events need to be adventurous,
survival oriented, self-sufficient, reasonably confident
and assertive. While TSD rallies are held on public
roads and the suggested speeds are usually below
posted speed limits, the roads used for performance
events are usually private, logging roads that can
be effectively closed off and secured to allow drivers
to drive at top speeds. Safety is always the priority
and volunteers are charged firstly with keeping
spectators and participants safe. Volunteers work
as control marshals doing starts, flying finishes
and timing. They work as road closure marshals and
as safety marshals at spectator areas, and in service
areas. They drive sweep vehicles, so course opening
and have even been seen on "moo" patrols
to control cattle in open range areas. Ham radio
operators are the most desirable of volunteers in
that without an effective radio net to monitor the
course of each rally car, the event will not occur.
How do I volunteer? - Fill
out our worker
registration
 You
want to work a performance rally? : Come out to
the Workers' Orientations for Mt. Trials and the
Pacific Forest rallies. Unfortunately these are
usually held locally, but if you live in the Lower
Mainland, try to attend. In addition to a general
orientation to performance events, we will show
you how to fill out time cards and run time controls.
A time control will be set up and you can practice
starts and flying finishes. If you are not able
to attend an orientation, know that your work assignment
will take into consideration your inexperience and
that you will be provided with written information/instructions
ahead of the event. Each and every volunteer is
important to an event and work is carefully assigned.
The notion that your job can be easily filled by
someone else, should you change your mind and suddenly
not show up is not based in fact. Events revolve
around volunteers as much as around entrants and
rallies can be in jeopardy without enough workers.
Thanks for your interest. Questions? Just ask:
volunteer@rallybc.com |
