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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.
ADDITIONAL WORKER INFORMATION
Tag Heuer Timing Equipment
Those workers who have a concern about the use of the Amateur Radio
Service in rallying, refer to an article at the ARRL web site -
Is it Legal?
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