Want to know how you can watch racing for free? Its easy! Simply VOLUNTEER to become a race official or race team member! The first step to take is to decide whether you want to work on the race officiating side or help out with a race team. Next, it's just a matter of a little research, make a few phone calls or head out to the local track and then volunteer your time and services. Let's start first with becoming a race official.

Working The Races

As you can imagine there's a lot of behind-the-scenes action taking place to put on and orchestrate a successful and, most importantly, a safe race. As such, every time there is a race, armies of people are needed to help out with all the various responsibilities. Corner workers, starters, pit marshals, tech inspectors, race stewards, timers and registration officials are just a few of the needed positions at each race.

On the grassroots level of racing, where there is usually racing activity going on most any weekend, local tracks and sanctioning bodies can always use a motivated volunteer who wants to help out. That's where you can step in.

So what do you do? Just call or talk with someone at your local track, racing club or racing association and let them know you want to volunteer to become a race official. Since they are primarily a volunteer force, the organization should be readily set-up to accept new "blood" and move you through some training to get you up and running.

If you have a definite preference about what type of position you'd like to volunteer for, let them know when you call. The organization or club will probably have a designated person for you to get in touch with who handles that particular specialty. Once you've hooked up with the right person, they should arrange training for you at the next race or event.

If you are working with a group like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), you'll actually get a license that allows you to participate in SCCA evidence. The SCCA has a great program for getting interested folks involved in becoming race officials.

Other organizations, like a local karting club may be less formal, but that doesn't mean the safety aspect is any less. Remember, as a race official, safety of the racers, crews and spectators is your primary concern. And in return for your services, you get "better than front row seats" to great racing action, as well as the pride in having contributed to a well-run, safe, and professional racing event.

Race Team Member

You have seen them on TV - the pit crews jumping over the wall to change tires and refuel, the crew chiefs on the radio, or the guys in front of computers monitoring the telemetry coming off the race car. The road to becoming a paid member of a NASCAR, Formula 1, IRL, or CART team is reserved for the relative few who make the long-term commitment, meet the right people and keep after it. However, just like becoming a race official for grassroots racing is relatively easy, it can be the same for hooking up with a local race team.

As everyone knows how expensive even local-level racing can be, most team members at this stage are volunteers anyway. They are usually family members or friends who like racing and want to help out. If you don't currently know anyone on a race team, it might take you a little more effort. But it really won't be that difficult, especially if you have a positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm (some mechanical skills won't hurt either).

Your first step is essentially going to be heading out to whatever type of local racing track you'd like to be involved with, get a pit pass and then mingle around with some of the drivers and crews. Find someone that is pleasant and you enjoy talking with and then simply volunteer to help out their race team in any way you can. What starts out as simply cleaning off the car after each race may turn into working as a pit crew, mechanic, or other team member down the road.

The great thing about this arrangement is that normally there are no real strict commitments from either party. If you can't make a few races during the season, then it's usually no big deal. Also, if at some point you find another team you would rather work with, then you're not bound with the kind of contract issues like a paid team member might be.

If you've got the time and love being around race cars and supporting a local racing team, then this is a great way to go.

Start Your Focal Local

So you may have noticed a recurring theme throughout this article - THINK LOCAL. Your local track is the heartbeat of grassroots racing in America and abroad. Whether you are going to be a racer, race official or race team member, start local. Support your local track, racing association and teams and whatever type of racing you are looking to get involved with.

This is where it all starts. Become a "pro" at whatever you do on the local level. A strong grassroots racing platform will produce the drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, etc... who will rise to the upper echelons of racing and thus perpetuate and grow a strong healthy sport.

Why is all this important? Because racing is important. It's one of the greatest activities a family can get involved with whether on the grassroots level or beyond. Also it is one of the most widely watched and sponsored sports in the world. As such, racing is a valuable component of our economy. But probably most importantly is that for the true racers and race fans, there is no substitute! So let's keep it alive and support the sport of racing we love and let's Go Racing Now!