Rallying
in America wouldn’t exist without the help of hundreds
of volunteers who help make events run smoothly and safely.
Closing down public roads and orchestrating a competition
involving sixty-plus teams of cars and crews is no easy
task. However, being a volunteer is the ultimate experience
for a rally fan. You’ll be a part of the rally
and meet all the drivers and crews. Best of all, the
volunteers get as close to the action as the drivers
do!
To volunteer
or to find more information please contact Rally America: volunteer@rally-america.com
Also
check rally event webpages for
more detailed volunteer worker opportunities as the
rally date approaches.
WORKER DESCRIPTIONS
The following is
a brief overview of the various types of volunteers needed
at Rally America events. Every volunteer is greatly appreciated
by the drivers and the crews and they will certainly
let you know it.
RALLY COMMUNICATIONS
- LICENSED HAM RADIO OPERATORS
The primary job of rally
communications is to provide
a "safety net" for the rally. There are many
people involved and it takes precise teamwork. The
biggest task includes communications between stage start
and stage finish and keeping communications open between
rally officials.
MEDICAL
Volunteers qualified to provide Basic Life Support
services are at the start of every stage, and all spectator
areas. There are ambulances and back-up support at several
locations.
Proof of certification, medical kit and car are all usually necessary, but each event has specific needs.
COURSE and SPECTATOR
MARSHALS
The largest
number of workers at a rally are out in the forests working
on individual stages in the route. A "stage
crew" is a group of 10 to 20 volunteers who are
fully responsible for setting up and ensuring the safety
of a section of road to be used as a stage
in the rally. Many stage crews will handle several stages
throughout the rally. Experienced stage captains and
co-captains coordinate the work of each group. Workers
time cars in, count down and start the rally cars, as
well as handle the finish control and timing. Crew members
will also block all intersecting roads to prevent non-rally
traffic from interacting with competing cars, all the
while managing the crowds at the spectator areas.
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