Training, training, training. Practice, practice, practice.
First we need the people to train. It would be a great boon to our specialties if drivers would be as strong a force in recruiting race worker volunteers as they are in recruiting more drivers. Not to discount one for the other, but it is too obvious which way the scale is tipping.
The issues faced by our colleagues in Spokane are primarily a lack of exposure. Their only opportunities to train/practice are club track days, which is a different environment, and the one weekend/two races each year.
Although veteran race workers from all over the ICSCC map are there, it is very hard to train well when two people are required to maintain the flagging buddy system, communications and safety marshal functions required of each station.
You can't help a blue flagger spot, if you are looking the opposite direction.
At the Fall ROD meeting it was discussed and plans presented to help sponsor a transportation/lodging for some of those interested volunteers from Spokane to an IRDC event. It's hopeful that we can expand that to more trips to other events and tracks.
Just one more positive application of the contributions provided by our ICSCC driver/participants into each club's worker fund.
If those reading this far into the post may be willing to support this endeavor in some way please contact:
Doug Smith, NWMS Race Chairman,
slowkeeper@earthlink.net
You've got to know that it's a win-win.
Wes, you know that I tend to go on about this kind of stuff, but it's my particular love for this great sport that runs so deep. So also my passion for it's continued success on both sides of the 'wall'.
I consider Blue flagging as an art form. We can train the fundamentals, but the concentration, focus, and aptitude for recognizing all mixed (-up) car classes, who drives fast, who is still trying, and who the moving chicanes are, can only be acquired through the practice of MANY weekends. Then maintain the edge, once you've honed it.
The same is true for an individual's reaction time and use our other flags, the total comprehension of not only of their meanings to the drivers, but how to apply them with consistency, and accuracy when stuff hits the rotating blades. Communications, and Safety response from the station is whole different game. That's where you deal with the differences between a proper reaction, and an over-reaction to any given situation.
Some folks will "get it" and excel at flagging and communications, others will maintain at least a satisfactory assemblance of knowledge, and talent, and have their fun with it. Others may wander off to find a different specialty that more suits their particular comfort levels, and skill sets. That's the hope, at any rate, because we're ALL volunteers here.