Howdy Racefans!!!
I’ve said it many times, that for any race track to be successful, you must have 3 groups of people come together. The drivers, the fans, and the track staff. All must find a way to work with each other to find that perfect harmony that ensures all 3 groups happiness and contentment. It isn’t easy. One of the most important factors in attempting to do this is the job of the person responsible for the implementation of the rules, the calls on the track, and overall running of the program. This person carries the title of General Manger, or Head Tech-man, or Race Director, or even Promoter, and sometimes, all the above. This has to be the most stressful, unappreciated, thankless job that any race track has to offer someone. This is absolutely the hardest job at any track, and the hardest for any track to fill. I thought I’d use my column to put out a “Want Ad” searching for that perfect person to do this, and list the responsibilities and expectation that one should expect if pondering this position.
WANTED: Race Director/Head Tech-man/General Manager.
We are looking for an individual that has a few different skill sets. Under the Technical title, this person will need to know everything about every possible aspect of every car that participates here. They will need to be able to recognize every kind of shock, spring, brake pad and caliper assembly, carburetor, exhaust system, every possible engine components, and any other possible part of a car, in ALL divisions. You will need to be able to identify any illegal parts, or cheater set ups, before someone that has them gets on the track. You will need to be able to detect any tire soak by either looking at a tire, or smelling it. You will need to be able to tear down a car and put it all back together in a very timely manner. It is your responsibility to ensure that all cars are weighed properly, and within limits, and the weight is distributed as per track guidelines. There are many more other technical jobs you’ll need to cover, but this will get you started.
As the Race Director, you will need to have the ability to know exactly what every one of the competitors on the track is thinking at any given time. This is most important, otherwise, it could lead to an incorrect call. It must be as if your riding in the car with every competitor. There is no other way to REALLY know what happened with any given on-track incident. This is the only way to ensure that every call is made with 100% accuracy. No other system can provide that. Not the spiner/spinee rule, not the tap out rule, and surely we know that no one person, or even more, can see every single possible altercation that happens on any given lap, in every race, in every division. Once you’ve mastered that, then you will need to be able to make the driver that has been assessed the penalty understand the errors of their way, and make them feel good about it. You will have to be able to not only communicate your ruling with the driver, but all the crew members and that drivers fans. We need them to be happy with the ruling too. You will also need to make yourself available after any race to discuss any possible disagreement any driver may have with any of your decisions. Even though you are trained to know what they are thinking while on the track, they still may have a problem with something that they may think of after the race, or about another competitors possible legalities. Remember, most are not used to this 100% accuracy that we are striving for, and may not realize all your skill sets. So you must be able to remember every lap, of every race, and every battle among every driver all night long, because you never know what driver may have a problem with something. While we are on the subject of memory, please know that when a caution flag does fly, you will need to be able to make the accurate call, and get all the driver into their proper positions without ANY delays. This is to ensure fan satisfaction. Once a division has finished their events for the evening, you will need to review the results and get the payout sheet to the payout window promptly. There is no time to wait here as once a driver is done racing for the evening, they need to be able to leave immediately.
Now some of the duties that we will put under the General Manager area will include: making sure that every single track employee is happy and is knowledgeable of their position. Always attentive and ready to work. Also know that if one of these people don’t make it on any given night, you will need to do their job too. Therefore, you need to know how to do every possible task that needs to done on any race night. Whether it be work the concession stand, clean the bathrooms, sell tickets, clean up on the racetrack, park cars, be the flagman, or the security person that may have to escort an unruly fan to the parking lot, you will need to perfect all facets of these responsibilities, and still complete your own task. You have to be available at any time throughout the week for any questions or inquiries from drivers, fans, or visitors seeking any possible information about the speedway. You also need to make sure the facility is safe and fan friendly, and is always ready to accommodate any request. You also have to communicate with all track sponsors, and continually, actively seek new ones. You will need to make sure they are well taken care of because of their support, and if they come out for an evening at the track, they will need to be pampered and acknowledged for their contribution.
There are many other responsibilities that were not covered above but will discussed during any future interview. If you have the ability to fulfill the above mentioned duties, please find your way to any local short track because they have been looking for you for a long, long time!!!
I know a lot of the things I wrote are slightly exaggerated, hopefully humorous, and of course, not possible. But it also seems that many expect that kind of performance by the person that takes on this position. I know, I’ve seen it. And the one factor that always amazes me is the person that is taking on this troublesome job, is usually doing it for free, or for very, very little money. They do it because of their passion for the sport, and the drive to try and help their race track, and be involved in something that they love. The abuse that they sometimes take has to take a toll on their overall passion at times. But most I have got to know, never take any situation lightly, and try not to let any of it become personal, even though the people they have to deal with often do. This is a passion filled sport, in all 3 groups.
So if anyone reading this think they know someone that has all those qualities, get them to a race track quick. But because I doubt there is such a person, try and remember all the stress and difficulties that come with this job title, whichever one it may be. Local short track racing cannot survive without this person doing this job, so we all need to try and work with them to help them achieve the success that every single one of us in all 3 of the major groups desire.
That’s the word from The “IN” Crowd!!!!
