VOLUNTEER FOR EXCITEMENT
The best motorcycle racers in the world come to America May 29 through June 1, and the owner of the track they will race on says the event will be huge. Even better, you can be part of the whole extravaganza.
The Superbike World Championship, an international race that returns to the U. S. for the first time in four years; plus the AMA Superbike Championship, will both take place at Utah's Miller Motorsports Park during the last weekend of May. The organizers are looking for volunteers, nearly 300 of them.
You can plan a vacation with a buddy or spouse and spend it at the track in one of three ways: as a spectator in the stands, or as an elite spectator with four days of 'grandstand' tickets, seated at a key corner with snacks and beverages for a price of $375---or, as a working volunteer, standing at that same corner and holding a flag to signal the racers, an insider who is part of the action. You'll be a lot closer to the race than those sitting and watching.
"We like to have three to four people on a corner, one person is doing radio, one doing the yellow (caution) flag, one doing the blue (passing) flag," says Kelly Dodson, the on-track personnel coordinator who is in charge of volunteers.
You could be the volunteer who waves the green flag to start the race or the checkered flag to end it. Or you could be the one who does Grid, lining up the racers in their position before they go onto the track. You could even be a pit lane marshall, monitoring the 'hot pit,' where the athletes come in to get a tire change or go back out on the track. Each racer has their own pit. "We will find something for everyone to do," Dodson says.
In addition, you will get goodies. Volunteers get free breakfast, lunch and dinner, free uniforms T-shirts and hats, and the chance to meet the riders and their support teams. when not on duty, you can take part in all the hoopla going on around you.
"We have concession karts, a playground and basketball court for the kids. We will have stunt bike demos, freestyle motocross demos, and helicopter rides for about $25," says John Gardner, the park's media manager.
But big championships are not the only volunteer opportunities at Miller Motorsports Park. There is racing going on seven days a week from March to October. Some people volunteer because it's a way to earn free track time to race or practice.
Dodson explains, "If someone wants to race their car, but can't afford the fees, they can come out and earn points towards track hours. Three working days earns one day of track time, though you don't earn track time working the major events, just the regular monthly events."
Volunteers get hands-on training, and yes, you can start out as a rookie at the World Superbike Championship. "We'll train you on the different flags and help you on the corners," Dodson says. There is even limited camping, with showers.
You will become part of a tight team, and your age and gender do not matter. "Everyone starts out as a flagger on a corner. We will have training sessions for World Superbike only, every other event, we usually train on course," says Dodson.
Where else can you experience such excitement and be fed and thanked for it?
To volunteer for the Superbike championships or for other events, contact Dodson at mmp_ops@millermotorsportspark.com, or telephone her at (435) 277-8080